Welcome!
Happy New Year.....As we emerge into another year there is still opportunities to begin those New Year resolutions; work less, play more, eat less...save more!! As part of our save more resolution we have identified with certain clients the importance of proactive maintenance scheduling, and this is discussed in this months issue.
Jetting Well!
Frequently landfill sites have historic leachate treatment facilities with long lengths of small diameter gravity mains discharging to sewers. These may have little or no access points along the length. With our increased fleet we now have the facility to undertake larger scale jetting works. A particular case was a 400m , 25mm dia pipe, with entry at either end of the 400m and little or no information in between other than there was a blockage casuing the treatment facility to become non-operational. By gaining access via the manholes at either end we were able to completely remove the choke from the pipe. Completion of this then allowed us to descale the pipe by increasing the volume and pressure on the machine. Scaling of pipes are extremely common in smaller diameter pipes , especially with the prescence of sulphur as this oxidises particularly well. Overtime where gradients and flows are not constant then the build up of scaling can also be a major contributing factor in causing blockages on the line. Regular descaling of pipework can prevent unexpected shut downs of treatment facilities.
Return to topConfined or Not Confined
As described by the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 a "confined space means any place, including a chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of the nature of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk". These Regs also state that operators should avoid entry if possible by using mechanical means or undertaking the works from outside the confined space. The jetting project detailed above was undertaken outside the confined space by adapting the jetting head and careful operation from the surface of the manhole. Other areas of work are not always easy to identify. Some instances where we have had to work around were classified as a confined space purely on configuration. Whilst it is obvious that access to leachate wells would not be considered as a workable option, other points where access for maintenance may be issues are leachate tanks, sumps, manhole access for jetting lines etc All KCP personnel are fully trained in Confined Spaces and all Risk Assessments and Method Statements address the procedures necessary, where considered applicable.
Return to topPro Active Maintenance
Many operations for remediation and maintenance on sites is required on a regular basis either by the permit or simply as good housekeeping. KCP undertake pro active maintenance works on many Clients sites. The benefit of this is very much site dependant, however relationships with the Environment Agency, can be improved as they can be made aware of definite arrangements for maintenance; actual dates can be established allowing the Client to feel confident that works will be undertaken plus financial benefits to the clients for pre arranging works rather than reactive remediation, which can often result in KCP rearranging plant and labour to accommodate the Clients requests at short notice. By establishing a programme of works with the Client we are able to identify any access requirements that would be required ahead of arriving on site, hence reducing any delays or interference from any other operations ongoing at the time. Specific activities that are easily undertaken by pro active maintenance will be detailed in further issues or when requested.
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