Environmental Precautions

GENERAL INFORMATION

03-3

Environmental Precautions

General
This section provides general information  which  can 
help to reduce the environmental  impacts from the 
activities carried out in workshops.

Emissions to air  
Many of the activities that are carried out in 
workshops emit gases and fumes which contribute to 
global warming, depletion of the ozone layer and/or 
the formation of  photochemical smog at ground 
level. By considering how the workshop activities are 
carried out,  these gases and fumes can be 
minimised, thus reducing the impact on the 
environment.

Exhaust fumes
Running car engines is an essential part of workshop 
activities and exhaust fumes need to be  ventilated to 
atmosphere.  However, the amount of time engines 
are running and the position of the  vehicle should be 
carefully considered at all times, to reduce the 
release of poisonous gases and minimise the 
inconvenience to people living nearby.

Solvents 
Some of the cleaning agents used are solvent based 
and will evaporate to atmosphere if used  carelessly, 
or if cans are left unsealed.  All solvent containers 
should be firmly closed when not  needed and 
solvent should be used sparingly. Suitable 
alternative materials may be available  to replace 
some of the commonly used solvents.  Similarly, 
many paints are solvent based and  the spray should 
be minimised to reduce solvent emissions.  

Refrigerant
It is illegal to release any refrigerants into the 
atmosphere. Discharge and replacement of these  
materials from air conditioning units should only be 
carried out using the correct equipment.  

Checklist 
Always adhere to the following.

Engines:

l

don't leave engines running unnecessarily;

l

minimise testing times and check where the 
exhaust fumes are being blown.  

Materials: 

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keep lids on containers of solvents; 

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only use the minimum quantity; 

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consider alternative materials;

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minimise over-spray when painting. 

Gases:

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use the correct equipment for collecting 
refrigerants;

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don't burn rubbish on site. 

Discharges to water
Most sites will have two systems for discharging 
water: storm drains and foul drains. Storm drains 
should only receive clean water, foul drains will take 
dirty water.     

The foul drain will accept many of the normal waste 
waters such as washing water, detergents  and 
domestic type wastes, but oil, petrol, solvent, acids, 
hydraulic oil, antifreeze and other such  substances 
should never be poured down the drain.  If in any 
doubt speak to the Water  Company first. 

Every precaution must be taken to prevent spillage of 
oil, fuel, solvents etc. reaching the drains.   All 
handling of such materials must take place well away 
from the drains and preferably in an  area with a kerb 
or wall around it, to prevent discharge into the drain. 
If a spillage occurs it  should be soaked up 
immediately.  Having a spill kit available will make 
this easier. 

Additional precautions 
Check whether the surface water drains are 
connected to an oil water separator, this could  
reduce the pollution if an incident was to occur. Oil 
water separators do need regular maintenance to  
ensure effectiveness.  

Checklist
Always adhere to the following.

Disposal:

l

never pour anything down a drain without first 
checking  that it is environmentally safe to do so, 
and that it does not contravene any local 
regulations or bye-laws;

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 have oil traps emptied regularly.

Spillage prevention:

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store liquids in a walled area;

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make sure that taps on liquid containers are 
secure and cannot be accidentally turned on;

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protect bulk storage tanks from vandalism by 
locking the valves;

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transfer liquids from one container to another in 
an area away from open drains;

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ensure lids are replaced securely on containers;

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have spill kits available near to points of storage 
and handling of liquids.