Yellow Shield's Posterous Page! http://yellowshield.posterous.com Most recent posts at Yellow Shield's Posterous Page! posterous.com Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:51:09 -0800 Drum spill pallets: The correct method for spill containment http://yellowshield.posterous.com/drum-spill-pallets-the-correct-method-for-spi http://yellowshield.posterous.com/drum-spill-pallets-the-correct-method-for-spi 2 Drum Spill Pallet When handling drums used for storing fuels or hazardous and corrosive materials, you are dealing with potential danger. Handling and storing drums in the correct manner and having a proper procedure for dealing with emergencies are the best way to avoid serious incident. The standard 205 litre drum is used ubiquitously across the planet in many industrial sectors so it’s inevitable that at some point spills will occur. Drum spill pallets offer a highly effective way of preventing leaking drums from causing a hazard to workers and the surrounding environment. Constructed from tough Low Density Polyethylene, the Drum Spill Pallet has an integral sump that will contain 110% of the drums capacity in the event of a leak or spill. This has two main benefits, firstly, any leaked fuel or chemicals will be contained within the spill pallet and secondly, the proper use of a drum spill pallet will ensure your compliance with the Oil Storage Regulations 2001. Spill pallets are available in various sizes, from a single drum spill pallet up to eight drum spill pallets and with hard frames and covers for outside storage. They are all manoeuvrable with pallet trucks or forklifts allowing them to be positioned where they are needed. If you store steel drums on your site then you will need to fully assess your sites needs to find the most suitable spill containment solution for your business. If you store more than eight drums then you might want to consider operating with a drum store to reduce the significant implications of a hazardous spill.
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Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:45:19 -0800 "Green minerals" could be used to treat polluted waterways http://yellowshield.posterous.com/green-minerals-could-be-used-to-treat-pollute http://yellowshield.posterous.com/green-minerals-could-be-used-to-treat-pollute Zeolite Mineral New Zealand is a country known widely for its breathtaking natural beauty, traditional Maori dance the Haka and as the backdrop for Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But it might soon be known for something else, Zeolite. Zeolite is a super absorbent mineral that is currently used in cat litter, modern sports turf and oil spills. Its open crystal structure provides a large surface area for chemical exchange and absorption and has been adapted by chemists at the Crown Research Centre Scion to become a highly effective binding agent for removing phosphorus and other pollutants from waterways. Chief Executive of the New Zealand Minerals Industry Association, Doug Gordon, is excited at the possibilities of Zeolite, both commercial and environmental, but frustrated by the lack of Government investment in the mining of the mineral. He said, “You’ve got your alchemists dream, turning muck into gold. To not explore this further is foolish.” Increased investment in the mining of this “green mineral” could result in the improvement of water quality and help preserve the habitats of endangered species. If the mineral can be effectively drilled into the ground at farms then it can capture the toxic run-off of phosphate and nitrogen, reducing the build up of undesirable algal blooms in the waterways. However, finance is proving to be a stumbling block in achieving this. Commercial applications could also prove to be fruitful, including the treatment of lakes, irrigation reservoirs and water storage systems in fish nurseries, as well as an absorbent granule for oil spills.
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Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:13:40 -0800 How to prevent the contamination of your waste drainage system. http://yellowshield.posterous.com/how-to-prevent-the-contamination-of-your-wast http://yellowshield.posterous.com/how-to-prevent-the-contamination-of-your-wast Polyurethane Drain CoverIf you or your company handles bulk quantities of industrial fluids on site or transports hazardous goods on vehicles, then under Pollution Prevention Guide 5 and ADR 2009 regulations, you should have in place plans for preventing contaminants entering the underground waste water system. If contaminants breach the water system through drains on your site, then it is not only a hazard for the environment, but also a potential problem for your bank balance. There are a number of drain covers available that can be used to ensure that contaminants are kept out of the waste water system. Polyurethane Drain Cover Polyurethane drain covers are made by combining two highly visible layers of durable yet flexible polyurethane. The top layer is laminated, ensuring that the bottom layer doesn’t rip or become warped, while the bottom layer has a sticky surface for sealing around the exposed drain. Polyurethane drain covers are reusable after washing and are resistant to oil, water and most chemicals and are available in two sizes. Magnetic Drain Cover Magnetic drain covers can be used on all metal drains that have been cleared of dirt and debris. The covers are imbued with a strong magnetism which prevents lateral force from displacing them. They can be cleaned and reused, are weather and chemical resistance and are ideal for deployment prior to bulk deliveries. Neoprene Drain Cover Neoprene drain covers are reusable covers and the most economical method for drain protection. They can be placed over coarse or irregular surfaces quickly and easily making them ideal for emergency deployment. Measuring 1 metre squared, the Neoprene drain cover should provide sufficient coverage for most standard sized drains. Plug Rug Plug Rugs are an adaptable drain cover available in four sizes that can be moulded to fit any kind of drain including old, uneven and misshapen drains. Providing a waterproof seal, the plug rug is ideal for efficient drain sealing in the event of a spill. All of our drain covers are competitively priced and are available with FREE DELIVERY.
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Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:50:26 -0800 Yellowshield: Low cost, high quality wheelie bins and great discounts! http://yellowshield.posterous.com/yellowshield-low-cost-high-quality-wheelie-bi-55252 http://yellowshield.posterous.com/yellowshield-low-cost-high-quality-wheelie-bi-55252 Wheelie Bin Liner We’re always trying to find new ways to offer our customers a better deal at Yellowshield, so this week we’ve decided to offer an indefinite £5.50 discount when buying either of our wheelie bin liners in combination with any of our  120, 140 or 240 litre wheelie bins. Wheelie bin liners are a great way to keep your bin clean and relatively odour free. Our “Standard” 140 gauge liners are ideal for domestic use and are easy to fit and remove from the wheelie bin, and are available in packs of 100 at 24.7p a liner. The “Heavy Duty”280 gauge liners can withstand tough industrial usage and are more suited to fast paced warehouses and factories where bins are regularly filled and emptied, and are available at 56p a liner. We also offer great deals on the Bin Buddy, in Berry Blast and Citrus odours. These are available at a knockdown price of £4.25 when bought in conjunction with any other wheelie bin and will leave your bin and bin liners insect free and smelling fresh. To take advantage of either of these offer simply enter the discount codes “binliners” or “binbuddy” when at the checkout.
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Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:49:19 -0800 Yellowshield: Low cost, high quality wheelie bins and great discounts! http://yellowshield.posterous.com/yellowshield-low-cost-high-quality-wheelie-bi http://yellowshield.posterous.com/yellowshield-low-cost-high-quality-wheelie-bi Wheelie Bin Liner We’re always trying to find new ways to offer our customers a better deal at Yellowshield, so this week we’ve decided to offer an indefinite £5.50 discount when buying either of our wheelie bin liners in combination with any of our  120, 140 or 240 litre wheelie bins. Wheelie binliners are a great way to keep your bin clean and relatively odour free. Our “Standard” 140 gauge liners are ideal for domestic use and are easy to fit and remove from the wheelie bin, and are available in packs of 100 at 24.7p a liner. The “Heavy Duty”280 gauge liners can withstand tough industrial usage and are more suited to fast paced warehouses and factories where bins are regularly filled and emptied, and are available at 56p a liner. We also offer great deals on the Bin Buddy, in Berry Blast and Citrus odours. These are available at a knockdown price of £4.25 when bought in conjunction with any other wheelie bin and will leave your bin and bin liners insect free and smelling fresh. To take advantage of either of these offer simply enter the discount codes “binliners” or “binbuddy” when at the checkout.
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Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:00:22 -0800 Problems continue in 2013 for Shell as oil rig runs aground in Alaska http://yellowshield.posterous.com/problems-continue-in-2013-for-shell-as-oil-ri http://yellowshield.posterous.com/problems-continue-in-2013-for-shell-as-oil-ri Kulluk Oil Rig On New Year’s Eve, Shell’s 266-foot backup oil rig, the Kulluk, ran aground near Sitkalidak Island in Alaska after heavy duty tow lines repeatedly snapped. It’s another setback in a long line of problems that Shell have encountered in their attempts to explore the Arctic for oil. The rig ran into difficulties during a severe storm that left its 18 man crew in need of a daring helicopter rescue. The rig has now been refloated with the aid of 15 vessels and is being towed to a nearby cove close to Kodiak Island. Despite the forceful storm battering the rig for a couple of days none of the 143,000 gallons of diesel on board the rig was spilled, which is just as well for Shell, as any oil spill in this pristine and uninhabited region would have been a logistical and public relations disaster. However, watertight hatches have been breached and both the service and backup generators failed leaving the rig stranded on the rocks. Seawater had also reportedly breached one of the hulls of the rig, raising the possibility that it could be out of commission for some time. This would be a severe blow to Shell’s ambitions for oil exploration in the Arctic. The plans to drill in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas in the summer of 2013 will now be in serious doubt as Shell’s spill response plan stipulates that both rigs, the Kulluk and the Noble Discoverer, must be operational when drilling so that one of the rigs can drill a spill containment “relief well” in the event of a blowout. With Shell’s Arctic programme reaching spending levels of an estimated £3.1 billion without one drop of oil being extracted, this latest incident will now cast doubt over the entire venture yet again. A statement released by the SEEC (House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition) voiced concerns that “The recent grounding of Shell’s Kulluk oil rig amplifies the risks of drilling in the Arctic.” It added that the incident involving the Kulluk, as well as the problems surrounding Shell’s containment dome, the Arctic Challenger, represent “alarming blunders” and “warrant thorough investigation”. www.yellowshield.co.uk
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Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:19:16 -0800 Will second time be a charm for Shell's "Containment Dome"? http://yellowshield.posterous.com/will-second-time-be-a-charm-for-shells-contai http://yellowshield.posterous.com/will-second-time-be-a-charm-for-shells-contai Back in September we reported that Shell had suffered a major setback in their plans for exploratory drilling in the Arctic after a key component in their spill response arsenal, the “Containment Dome”, was “crushed like a beer can” during routine testing. In emails obtained through a freedom of information request it was revealed that under calm conditions in the Puget Sound an electrical fault caused the dome to torpedo to the surface and then rapidly descend, crumpling the top portion of the steel dome in the process. Since the failed test Shell have been working to notably strengthen the dome, reinforcing it with an additional outer frame. Before the dome can be deployed in the Arctic it must first receive approval from the Bureau of Environmental Enforcement, and Nicholas Pardi, a spokesman for the BSEE confirmed “that approval will not be granted until the test is completed to our satisfaction”. Last week the Arctic Challenger left the Port of Bellingham for Puget Sound for a second round of testing. Shell has conceived the dome as their “fourth line of defence” in the event that other primary systems fail to contain a spill. The dome would vacuum up any gushing oil and guide it to Shell’s spill response vessel, the Arctic Challenger, for filtering. However, the modifications made to the dome will have done little to allay the fears of environmental groups and politicians alike that are fearful of the catastrophic effects that an oil spill in the Arctic would have. The Arctic Research Commission have already stated that oil spill tests need to be undertaken in the Arctic, which would give officials and Shell a clearer understanding of whether or not the equipment can function in adverse conditions. The Alaskan Arctic will pose many unparalleled difficulties for even multinational oil companies. Average summer temperatures are nearly -7°C and can go as low as -20°C while workers will also have to contend with gale force winds and miles of harsh conditions without any real infrastructure. Christophe de Margerie, the CEO of Total, recently took the unusual step of declaring that his company would not be attempting to drill for oil in the Arctic as the risks of a spill were just too high. If Shell’s testing of the modified Containment Dome is successful then they will look to conduct further exploratory drilling in 2013.
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Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:05:16 -0800 Environment Agency prevents "major environmental disaster". http://yellowshield.posterous.com/environment-agency-prevents-major-environment http://yellowshield.posterous.com/environment-agency-prevents-major-environment The Environment Agency was called upon last Thursday and Friday to contain a potential spill of 4,000 litres of petrol that had been endangering spawning salmon in the River Tiddy in Cornwall. The petrol tanker was being towed on Thursday night when it overturned giving rise to a situation where the “fuel was pouring out”, according to Darren Maynard of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

As soon as the Environment Agency arrived on the scene they deployed booms and absorbent pads in an event to contain the spill.

Steve Marks, a spokesman for the Environment Agency confirmed that the operation had been successful and that “no significant pollution” had been detected in the river. He added that; “If the petrol had got into the water it would have been a major environmental disaster.” The tank was sprayed with foam by the Fire Service to render it safe before it was allowed to be removed from the scene and the road was re-opened on Friday afternoon. Yet again the Environment Agency has demonstrated the importance of designing well drilled spill response procedures that effectively contain spills and protect fragile waterways.
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Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:49:49 -0800 Bins are a "wheel" issue for Councillors http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bins-are-a-wheel-issue-for-councillors-22012 http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bins-are-a-wheel-issue-for-councillors-22012 Local authorities in the UK have in recent weeks been digesting the awards of the government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme. Councils from Gravesham in Kent to Birmingham City have received grants to help provide more efficient refuse collection services and increase their recycling rates, while others, such as Leeds, have missed out. In order to achieve a more efficient recycling and refuse collection service local councils will be supplying residents with up to three wheelie bins for the purposes of recycling and refuse. However, not all residents in Birmingham city council are quite as enthused about the idea as the councillors behind the proposal which is pencilled in for implementation next April. Many residents have been quick to point out that certain areas in the city are not suitable for wheelie bins because of steep hills, steps leading out of driveways and a lack of space to house all the bins. Therefore the council is entering into consultation with residents and plans to engage in comprehensive door-to-door surveys in order to resolve any issues residents may have. One Labour councillor, Rob Pocock, who described the scheme as the “Government’s bin bribe”, has already undertaken surveys in his Sutton Vesey ward which resulted in a 60-40 spilt against the universal introduction of wheelie bins. The results also indicated an age divide that showed the older the resident, the more opposed they were to wheelie bins. One suggestion proposed by Coun Pocock that could resolve part of the issue was to introduce smaller bins for low waste households and in particular, for the elderly and the infirm. 75 Litre wheelie bins are less cumbersome and more compact and would be better suited for recycling purposes than the larger 240 Litre wheelie bins. Whatever the outcome of the planned consultation, local councils across the country need to try and move away from the traditional black refuse bag collections and introduce wheelie bins where it is practical to do so, as they offer a more durable, hygienic and efficient method for collecting waste and recycling.
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Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:22:25 -0800 Bins are a "wheel" issue for Councillors http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bins-are-a-wheel-issue-for-councillors http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bins-are-a-wheel-issue-for-councillors Local authorities in the UK have in recent weeks been digesting the awards of the government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme. Councils from Gravesham in Kent to Birmingham City have received grants to help provide more efficient refuse collection services and increase their recycling rates, while others, such as Leeds, have missed out. In order to achieve a more efficient recycling and refuse collection service local councils will be supplying residents with up to three wheelie bins for the purposes of recycling and refuse. However, not all residents in Birmingham city council are quite as enthused about the idea as the councillors behind the proposal which is pencilled in for implementation next April. Many residents have been quick to point out that certain areas in the city are not suitable for wheelie bins because of steep hills, steps leading out of driveways and a lack of space to house all the bins. Therefore the council is entering into consultation with residents and plans to engage in comprehensive door-to-door surveys in order to resolve any issues residents may have. One Labour councillor, Rob Pocock, who described the scheme as the “Government’s bin bribe”, has already undertaken surveys in his Sutton Vesey ward which resulted in a 60-40 spilt against the universal introduction of wheelie bins. The results also indicated an age divide that showed the older the resident, the more opposed they were to wheelie bins. One suggestion proposed by Coun Pocock that could resolve part of the issue was to introduce smaller bins for low waste households and in particular, for the elderly and the infirm. 75 Litre wheelie bins are less cumbersome and more compact and would be better suited for recycling purposes than the larger 240 Litre wheelie bins. Whatever the outcome of the planned consultation, local councils across the country need to try and move away from the traditional black refuse bag collections and introduce wheelie bins where it is practical to do so, as they offer a more durable, hygienic and efficient method for collecting waste and recycling.
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Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:05:05 -0800 How to Protect Your Tank from Fuel Theft http://yellowshield.posterous.com/how-to-protect-your-tank-from-fuel-theft http://yellowshield.posterous.com/how-to-protect-your-tank-from-fuel-theft Green Oil Tank Tayside Police have today issued a warning for people to be on their guard after thieves stole 1,000 litres of fuel from the Ballumbie golf club in Dundee. Police are also investigating the theft of fuel from a lorry parked in Dryburgh Industrial Estate. This follows the recent increase in fuel thefts across the country as the price of petrol soared in the last 12 months. According to statistics compiled from 36 of the UK’s 52 local police forces there were around 8,235 cases of reported fuel theft in 2011. Other than keeping your vehicle in a secure garage there isn’t too much you can do to prevent a determined criminal drilling into your cars fuel tank. However, if you are a commercial or industrial business, or if you have a home heating oil tank then there are preventative measures you can take to keep your fuel secure and out of the hands of thieves. If you own a bunded tank then it’s unlikely that even the most organised criminal gangs would be daft enough to drill into it. However, there are other, even more daring methods that can be used to get away with your precious oil. For instance, it is not unheard of for tanks to be picked up by forklift trucks, lifted on to a large enough getaway vehicle and driven away. Or, they may be even more brazen and attempt to lift the tank using the existing lifting eyes that are in situ. There are ways around this though. At Yellowshield we have “Anti-Theft” upgrades available on our steel bunded fuel tanks that can resist the attempts of fuel thieves. Firstly, we offer “anti-lift feet”. Essentially they are RSJ’s that run the full length of the tank making it impossible for it to be moved by a forklift truck. Secondly, we supply removable lifting eyes, so once the tank has been placed in position, the eyes can be removed and stored somewhere secure. If you wish to make your tank as impenetrable as Alcatraz, then we also provide tank alarm accessories that will warn you as soon as someone attempts to tamper with your tank. We may not be able to help protect your vehicle but we are as determined as the criminals when it comes to helping protect your bunded fuel tanks.
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Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:23:00 -0800 Niger Delta's Black Gold Rush: Counting the Cost of Environmental Neglect http://yellowshield.posterous.com/niger-deltas-black-gold-rush-counting-the-cos-2301 http://yellowshield.posterous.com/niger-deltas-black-gold-rush-counting-the-cos-2301

Oil Polluted Lands of the Niger Delta It has emerged this week that an oil spill from an ExxonMobil pipeline in the Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria has spread up to 20 miles from it source, polluting the waters that are integral to the survival of the local fishing industry. This oil spill is the latest in a chequered history of oil production in the region which, according to the United Nations Development Programme, has seen thousands of spills both big and small and a lack of effective spill containment.

For more than nine decades multinational oil companies have been conducting operations in the Niger Delta to extract the large amounts of crude oil that lay beneath the Delta Basin. And while they have achieved much success in extracting the oil, the environmental and social implications have been far reaching and are still ongoing today with oil companies seemingly acting with complete impunity.

Large areas of mangrove forests have been destroyed by oil spills which seep deep into the soil contaminating the surrounding vegetation and underground watercourses. In addition, the depletion of fish stocks has been caused not only by overfishing but also by the pollution of waters from leaking and poorly maintained oil pipelines. Life expectancy has reduced drastically in the region as people become increasingly sick from consuming contaminated water and food.

So what preventative measures is the Nigerian government taking to reduce the number and the impact of these spills? Last year Nigeria’s oil regulator, NOSDRA, recommended that the Nigerian parliament fine Shell over £3 billion after a tanker spilled 40,000 barrels of oil into the Atlantic Ocean. However, Shell refuted the recommendation stating that they hadn’t contravened any Nigerian laws and that the cause of the spill was sabotage.

While it’s true that many of the spills in the Niger Delta have been linked to the criminal acts of militant groups, Shell have also been criticised for the laxity of their spill response procedures in cleaning up the oil. A UN report from last year found that “The control and maintenance of oilfield infrastructure....has been and remains inadequate.” Shell was accused of taking four years to contain and clean the spill while the thousands of villagers affected by the spills in the Ogoninland region are still awaiting a compensation package from Shell.

Last year’s report from the United Nations Environment Programme evidenced that oil companies had failed to effectively contain and clean up oil spills from up to 40 years ago, despite numerous attempts. It’s executive director said that Nigerians has “paid a high price” for the riches afforded by the black gold, but that any attempt to clean up the affected region would cost initially around £614 million and take upwards of 25-30 years.

Source - http://www.yellowshield.co.uk

 

 

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Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:11:28 -0800 Methods used for chemical spill procedures http://yellowshield.posterous.com/methods-used-for-chemical-spill-procedures http://yellowshield.posterous.com/methods-used-for-chemical-spill-procedures Chemical SpillIn the last week there have been two separate chemical spillages in the UK, one at a drugs manufacturing plant in Deeside, Wales, and another at a drycleaners in Ipswich. Fire officials and ambulances were called to both incidents, and each resulted in people being admitted to hospital. The aim of this blog is to analyse the methods that would have been used to; a, Contain the spills and protect the watercourse and b, Clean up the spill and render the area safe.
Be Prepared
Preparedness is the key to dealing with chemical spills. If your business deals with hazardous liquids daily then it is essential that all employees are given adequate training to deal with spills in the correct way. If you have spill kit equipment on site then it is paramount that you have a spill procedure plan that all employees can safely carry out. If the spilled chemical is volatile or flammable then you must immediately turn off all sources of ignition and, if indoors, ventilate the area. Before attempting to tackle the spill you must ensure that you attire yourself in the appropriate PPE equipment. In cases described above the nature of the spill had been quickly identified by the first responders present at the scene. In the case of the drug manufacturing plant they enacted their emergency planning procedures and requested the presence of fire officials and paramedics. If you are unsure what type of chemical has been spilt, you can still begin to contain the spill using standard chemical absorbents, as chemical absorbents are designed to deal with most hazardous spills of an unidentified nature.
Containing the Spill
In the case of an outside spillage, as in Ipswich, the first spill containment measure to undertake would be to place chemical land booms around the perimeter of the spill, cutting off the access to unprotected drains in the surrounding area. Once the spill has been contained it can be absorbed through the deployment of chemical pads, starting at the edge of the spill and circling inwards to reduce the potential for splash and spread of the spilled liquid. In the event of an indoor spillage containment booms may not required as there is no threat to the watercourse from exposed drainage works. Chemical absorbent pads could be used to absorb the spill depending on the size and area that the spill covered. Any pads or land booms used to clean up a chemical spill would have to be disposed off as hazardous waste. The soiled absorbents can be placed into disposable bags and discarded accordingly.
Neutralising the Spill
Once the majority of the chemical has been absorbed you can then consider using a neutralizing agent to return the area to safe working conditions. The acid neutraliser is a powder that can be applied to the remainder of the spill, rendering it safe via a chemical reaction and producing an inert residue that can be disposed of as general waste. The acid neutraliser will contain a colour indicator change to notify you when the reaction has completed and the chemical has been made safe. In some cases fire fighters can dilute certain acids with water or transfer liquids to safe containers for disposal. Once the spill has been cleaned up you can then wash down the area with a mild detergent and water.
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Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:46:55 -0800 BP to plead guilty to criminal charges and receive record US criminal fine http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bp-to-plead-guilty-to-criminal-charges-and-re http://yellowshield.posterous.com/bp-to-plead-guilty-to-criminal-charges-and-re Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill In what will be seen as a landmark case BP is likely to be fined between £1.9bn and £3.2bn for their criminal misconduct relating to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill disaster in April 2010.  The fine will be a new record in the US, dwarfing the £819m that the drug company Pzifer was fined in 2009. It is believed that BP has agreed this amount through a plea deal with the US Department of Justice. The fine will settle the US federal government criminal and Securities and Exchange Commission claims only. BP may still face further fines from the DoJ in relation to civil claims and also claims from the affected Gulf States and other private plaintiffs. In August, the DoJ filed papers to the New Orleans federal court stating that BP’s management of the oil rig evidenced “gross negligence and wilful misconduct”. If this is proven in the 2013 civil trial in New Orleans, then BP could be looking at a payout in excess of £13bn. BP has already begun shedding assets to cover the costs of all claims and has so far set aside around £24bn. As was reported to the BBC back in June 2010, rig worker Tyrone Benton explained to his supervisor that a leak had been discovered weeks before the eventual explosion. Had BP rectified the problem at the time they would have had to cease drilling, resulting in millions of pounds of lost revenue. However, the decision not to repair that fault has not only resulted in the loss of billions of pounds, but also the company’s reputation and has left an indelible scar on the Gulf Coast waters and shoreline. http://www.yellowshield.co.uk/
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Wed, 14 Nov 2012 06:13:31 -0800 Shake out your frost blankets - it's going to be a cold one! http://yellowshield.posterous.com/shake-out-your-frost-blankets-its-going-to-be http://yellowshield.posterous.com/shake-out-your-frost-blankets-its-going-to-be Yellowshield Winter Package Winter is again upon us and thanks to good old Iceland (harbingers of the original banking collapse and the volcanic ash clouds); forecasters are predicting a severe cold snap from the north that will send temperatures plummeting to well below the seasonal average, with the potential for harsh frosts, bitter winds and snow. So, to try and reap a boom in doom and gloom it seemed appropriate for Yellowshield to put together a “Winter Package” that helps people avoid the worst of the cold snap by enabling them to grit their drive and shovel away the dreaded snow. Consisting of one 20kg bag of Rock Salt, a Salt Scoop and a Snow Shovel for just £33 inc. delivery*, this package can keep you mobile over the winter months allowing you to clear driveways, paths or car parks, meaning you won’t have to stockpile non-perishable goods from the supermarket just yet! We also supply a range of de-icing products that can help keep you mobile during the gruelling winter months. If you have a large area that you would like to spread grit over then you might want to consider using a Salt Spreader. We have these in two sizes, 20 and 35 litres respectively and both spread grit effortlessly and evenly. If you are looking to purchase a large volume of Rock Salt, then we can provide the grit bins for you to store them in, again, we have these in two sizes, 170 and 250 litres. We also supply frost blankets for protecting exposed brickwork over the harsh winter months, and seeing as the bookies have slashed the odds on a White Christmas to the shortest ever; it looks as though we’re going to need them! (*Surcharges will be applied to certain parts of the UK).
More from Yellow Shield's blog... Shake out your frost blankets - it's going to be a cold one!

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Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:37:00 -0800 Best Practice for Oil Spill Pays Off http://yellowshield.posterous.com/best-practice-for-oil-spill-pays-off http://yellowshield.posterous.com/best-practice-for-oil-spill-pays-off

Port Angeles Harbour On Wednesday of last week, following a routine oil transfer to a fuel barge in Port Angeles Harbour, Washington, 840 gallons of fuel was believed to have spilled into the water. Estimations later on in the week put the spill at between 50 and 100 gallons. The incident, albeit small, could have drastically damaged the marine environment had it not been for the precautions that Washington State undertake every time a transfer of fuel occurs over water.

As Curt Hart from the Washington Department of Ecology explained; “Fortunately in the State of Washington, whenever we have these large fuel transfers over water, we make sure that the oil spill containment boom is placed before the transfer starts.”

This sort of best practice is critical to maintaining a healthy and vibrant ecosystem, especially in areas where the potential for oil spills is high. Containment booms can be used retrospectively in an emergency oil spill situation to try and capture as much of the spilled oil before it can affect marine life, but the practice demonstrated by Washington State underlines the need for all port and harbour authorities to have in place a well drilled and pre-emptive approach to oil spills.

No birds, mammals or fish were harmed during the spill, which is currently being cleaned up by the Department of Ecology in conjunction with the US Coast Guard, the Marine Spill Response Corporation and Global Diving and Salvage.
More from Yellow Shield's blog... Best Practice for Oil Spill Pays Off

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Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:36:00 -0700 Absorb battery acid with Battereezy HT http://yellowshield.posterous.com/absorb-battery-acid-with-battereezy-ht http://yellowshield.posterous.com/absorb-battery-acid-with-battereezy-ht

According to the Health and Safety Executive, sulphuric acid is the most widely used acid within the industrial sector in the UK. All warehouses in the UK and abroad, as well as many Port Authorites and airports, will use some kind of lead battery or electric vehicle containing sulphuric acid.

In the event of a spill, many of these work environments will have an adequate neutraliser for cleaning up any spill of sulphuric acid, but once a hazardous spill has been contained, many will be left with a costly hazardous waste bill for disposing of the contaminated absorbents. So at Yellow Shield we have opted to introdcue a new absorbent granule into our range of products to tackle this issue directly.

Battereezy HT has been specifically fomulated for the sole purpose of neutralising potentially hazardous spills of sulphuric acid. Usually, these types of spills would be dealt with using a chemical neutralisation agent that would have to be disposed of as hazardous waste due to legal requirements. But with Battereezy HT, this costly endeavour is now a thing of the past. Using a strong alkali compound, the abosrbent granules neutralise the sulphuric acid to a safe ph level of 7, meaning that the soiled granules are then safe to be disposed of as general waste.

Many industrial workplaces would benefit from the use of such a low cost and effective neutralising agent, which enables the user to efficiently clean up a sulphuric acid spill with the minimum amount of effort. Utilising a dark colour indicator to illustrate when the effervescent reaction has finished and available in two different sized polyethylene buckets, Battereezy HT is a simple product, offering a simple solution to a potentially costly problem.

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Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:32:00 -0700 New Superkleen plus absorbs more! http://yellowshield.posterous.com/164765108 http://yellowshield.posterous.com/164765108
Spilkleen Super Plus

More often than not, absorbent granule products can have many undesirable qualities, namely an off-putting odour and all too messy dust particles that arise from using such a product. So at Yellow Shield, we have been looking to introduce a superior granule that can be utilised mainly indoors for absorbing spills of oil, fuel, cutting fluids and mild chemicals that dispels these problems and we believe we have found it.

New Spilkleen Super Plus is a lightweight granule made from 100% recycled paper, (so already proving an environmentally friendly alternative to other absorbent granule products), that is more importantly odourless and virtually dust free. No longer will you have to endure the choking dust clouds and malodourous trace that emanates from inferior absorbent granules at arms length, you can deploy the Spilkleen Super Plus, safe in the knowledge that these unwanted by-products will not be an issue.

But how much can a paper based granule absorb? Well, up to three times the amount that a clay based granule can and with none of the unsought problems associated with other types of granules. In fact, a 30 litre bag of Spilkleen Super Plus can absorb an incredible 24 Litres of liquid, representing a 250% higher absorbency rate than clay based granules. This is why we feel that Spilkleen Super Plus is the complete indoor absorbent, offering a highly effective product at an extremely competitive price.

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Thu, 12 Jul 2012 03:50:00 -0700 80 Litre Wheelie Bin Spill Kits http://yellowshield.posterous.com/80-litre-wheelie-bin-spill-kits http://yellowshield.posterous.com/80-litre-wheelie-bin-spill-kits

This month Yellow Shield are proud to offer a new line of intermediary 80 Litre Wheelie Bin Spill Kits for General Purpose, Oil Only and Chemical use, that are designed for maximum mobility and convenience. And for a limited time only you can SAVE 20% on the General Purpose and Oil Only spill kits.

80 Litre Wheelie Bin General Purpose Spill Kit 80 Litre Wheelie Bin Oil Only Spill Kit 80 Litre Wheelie Bin Chemical Spill Kit
80L Wheelie Bin General Purpose Spill Kit 80L Wheelie Bin Oil Only (hydrophobic) Spill Kit 80L Wheelie Bin Chemical Spill Kit
Was: £72.00
NOW: £57.60
Was: £72.00
NOW: £57.60
£93

 

The new 80 Litre Compact Wheeled Bin Spill Kit is a complete spill kit that provides high absorbency within a compact design offering key benefits that larger spill kits sometimes lack. Whether it’s required for use in an indoor working environment or while on the move, the 80 Litre Wheelie Bin Spill Kits can provide for both.

Measuring only 26 inches in height the 80 Litre Spill Kit is compact enough to allow the user to store safely underneath a warehouse workbench or alongside existing janitorial cupboards without proving to be an obstruction.

Weighing only 12.5kg, the lightweight nature of the 80 Litre spill kit also enables the user to comfortably lift the bin on or off a vehicle for a more effective deployment in a range of environments.

To celebrate the launch of this new product Yellow Shield are offering you the chance to purchase the General Purpose and Oil Only 80 Litre Wheelie  Bin Spill Kits at a discounted rate of £57.60 each until the end of May, which is a 20% saving on the standard price.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer simply click on the images displayed above.

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Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:59:00 -0700 Proposed Oil Terminal in Southwold raises concerns. http://yellowshield.posterous.com/proposed-oil-terminal-in-southwold-raises-con http://yellowshield.posterous.com/proposed-oil-terminal-in-southwold-raises-con

Over the last couple of years oil spills have been featured prominently on TV screens across the globe, thanks in large to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and the ongoing problems regarding Shell’s control of oil spillage in the Niger Delta. However, it could now be that the possibility of this happening in British waters has increased with Parliaments vote last month to allow for ship to ship transfer of oil in the quaint Anglian coastal town of Southwold.

Understandably the decision has sparked cries of indignation from locals who now believe that even the threat of a spill could have a marked impact upon the local tourist industry.

John Perkins from the Southwold and Reydon Society commented that:

“The prospect we now face is a perpetual risk of an oil threat, large numbers of oil tankers…now come here. They all come to Southwald, they won’t go anywhere else.”

However, Government minister Mike Penning remains adamant that having the process occur within the British waters rather than in international waters will allow for better monitoring of such transfers and, help maintain the “generally excellent safety record” that these operations have in the UK.

Despite Government attempts to allay local fears Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Island Council insists that the proposed site in Southwold is a far riskier enterprise than the transfers that take place at Scapa Flow Port in Orkney. He remarked that:

“we… have all the facilities to deal with an oil spill (in Scapa Flow) whereas… in Southwold…the risks are much, much higher.”

If the proposed oil terminal in Southwold is to be properly monitored and regulated then it should clearly provide a boost for Southwold’s local economy. If however, there is any complacency in the overseeing of these operations then the need for a swift and efficient spill containment response to any future incidents will be of the utmost importance to protect our fragile coastline.

http://www.yellowshield.co.uk/blog/proposed-oil-terminal-in-southwold-raises-...

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