Victorian Emergency Services Organisation

Trade Waste Tank Cleaning & Inspection

The Craigieburn Emergency Services Training Centre uses a 30,000 litre below ground trade waste effluent tank, to recycle fire fighting water & associated foam products.

The task was to pump out, clean, and inspect this tank, which is a Confined Space, with the work being classified as High-Risk.

A detailed Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) was created to identify risks & hazards, with suitable strategies adopted to ensure work could proceed safely. The safety measures included:

• air quality monitoring equipment to be used;
• breathing apparatus to be worn by anyone entering the tank;
• Standby Rescue personnel and equipment;
• retrieval tripod, winch, & full body harness;
• Isolation of the tank for the duration of the job;
• warning signage and work area delineation measures.

Once the tank had been pumped out and cleaned with a high pressure washer, the waste was removed from site and disposed of to EPA requirements, with a Certificate of Disposal issued.

An internal inspection was undertaken of all surfaces, seams and joints. Photos were taken throughout the inspection process.

The tanks integrity was assessed and determined as being in sound operable condition with no requirement for internal repair.

The Tank was returned to active service and a detailed condition report was issued to the Training Centre ‘s Facilities Manager who expressed their appreciation for our attention to detail and adherence to our documented safety processes.