An Easy Guide to Safe Waste Oil Disposal in your Auto Repair Workshop

As an auto repair workshop owner, you are aware that it is essential to comply with the legislation regarding your waste oil disposal and storage.

To do this effectively requires a careful management strategy that may seem rather challenging to implement. These tips will help you keep your workshop environmentally friendly and legally secure.

Keep Precise Records  

Records provide an overall picture of the current conditions and let you spot potential problems.

You need to document:

• The amount of oil your store

• The amount of oil you use

• How much waste is on hand

• How you dispose of the waste oil.

This important data proves your fulfillment of legal requirements and gives you the tools to defend your position should there be any future complaints or claims.

Store Waste Oil Safely

Always keep waste oil in a designated, clearly marked container placed in a safe location far from drains and water sources.

Steel or high-density polythene are suitable materials for the container, which should also have a tightly fastened cover to prevent leaks.

Make sure oily rags do not end up in a pile. Oily rags spontaneously burn when they are steadily heated to their ignition point by oxidation.

As a substance oxidizes, heat is released. If there is no route for this heat to escape, as in a pile, the temperature will rise to a point where the oil will ignite, and the rag or cloth will catch fire. 

This fire poses a serious threat to your property since it has the potential to quickly spread to other combustibles.

Consequently, oily rags should be stored in empty metal containers with water and tightly sealed metal lids.

Log the Amount of Waste Oil You Produce.

Measure the amount of oil you remove from cars with a metered pump. You may choose to estimate the amount generated, depending on how many oil changes you make.

Keeping track of the volume of waste oil production at your business will ensure that you don't go beyond your storage capacity.

Use Appropriate Oil Disposal Techniques

Make sure your employees know not to put used oil in the garbage or pour it down the drain. A policy to clean up accidental spills immediately is best practice.

An authorized waste oil collection service should pick it up instead. They should take it to an authorized facility for proper recycling or disposal. By using a qualified waste oil service, you can avoid being held accountable for any environmental harm the waste oil may create after it leaves your site.

For more info, contact a company like Wren Oil.