Tank Cleaning & Chemical Removal

A S & D Drainage Services Case Studies of Wessex Water

Project Info:

  • Client: Wessex Water
  • Location: Various Sites
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Within our small team we have eight qualified Confined Space operatives. They are not only qualified they are very experienced which is why we are entrusted to clean all sorts of tanks containing all types of product.

With our experience we are comfortable working in the most hazardous environments handling the most difficult materials. This comfort only comes with the knowledge that we take every precaution to remove the risks BEFORE we start and that we can rely on each other both operative and managerial to work tirelessly to ensure a safe conclusion.

It doesn’t matter the product the care required is the same. Every job is studied and a detailed Risk Assessment made. Only with a very accurate risk assessment is it possible to produce a complete and safe Method Statement and Safe System of Work. Once we have this it is our policy to give everyone who may be affected by the work a copy and ask them to dissect it and look for fault.

It is only when we are ALL satisfied that the dangers have been eliminated as far as possible that we even consider starting a job. This requires good training, good practices, plenty of experience and above all a knowledge and understanding that everyone can say no if they are concerned about any aspect of the work.

Our engineers undertake their training to City & Guilds standards so we know it is of the highest standard and that you can rely on it. They are Wessex Water restricted operations approved. 

 

As part of this tank cleaning work or as a seperate task, we not only clean the tanks but we uplift the chemicals and transport them for disposal at licensed sites.

A recent operation was to clear a site of all chemicals in advance of a multi million pound modernisation rebuild of a water production site. This involved the removal of many tons of 96% Sulphuric Acid, 47% Sodium Hydroxide and 8% Aluminium Sulphate as well as Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Hypochlorite & Brine. This became very challenging because a delay in the start date meant that instead of having the site to ourselves, we had to work while there were many other contractors on site making this very hazadous project even more interesting.

Once the lagest steel tanks (6m high x 3.8m diameter) were empty and clean we undertook grit blasting of the welds both external and internal ready for others to undertake non destructive testing (NDT). We also supplied support and controlled the entry for the team undertaking the testing.  

With much discusion and the co-operation of the client, site managers and the other contractors, we were able to work around all the obstacles and complete this task without incident.  

 

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