We have been asked on many occasions to provide a pricing structure for services provided upon being requested to attend an incident involving hazardous substances spillages.

With careful consideration it has been decided that it is not practical to set a defined structure as most if not every incident varies i.e.

• The nature of the incident

• The duration of the incident

• The location of the incident

• Resources required, plant, vehicles and personnel

• The amount of absorbent product(s) required.

• Any other mitigating circumstances

We have however minimum charge-out rates that will be discussed at the time of receiving notification of the incident. We also require a commitment from the customer “that at least our minimum charges are acceptable”. We will undertake to advise the customer if any circumstances change throughout the duration of the incident and if necessary re-address any issues relating to rates.

Safety Issues

We also have minimum standards regarding safety issues. It is absolutely crucial that the customer fully understands that our personnel will not put their own or others safety at any sort of risk while en route to the incident, throughout the duration of the incident and as part of the breakdown process.

It is also necessary that the customer accepts and agrees that any additional personal protective equipment that is required to be purchased so as to ensure safe working practices can be carried out will be charged as part of the incident cost.

We will not hesitate in ensuring that personnel engaged as part of the incident carry out the allocated tasks, this also encompasses personnel engaged from an outside contractor, in a safe manner.

If a task or an environment is deemed to be unsafe all personnel will be withdrawn without hesitation and will not be permitted to renter until it is deemed safe to do so.

If a task or an environment is deemed to be unsafe all personnel will be withdrawn without hesitation and will not be permitted to renter until it is deemed safe to do so. If a task or environment is deemed unsafe or unsuitable for personnel the necessary emergency services will be notified immediately.

We have an extremely sound working relationship with a number of emergency services and Government Agencies, this relationship has been formed from the professionalism portrayed to date and will not be subjected to mistreatment.

We will also work within OSH guidelines and practices at all times.

Notification

The nature of the spillages and other related incident s that we are called on to attend and undertake the safe clean up and disposal of contaminated hazardous substances may endanger the environment. Especially if the hazardous substance(s) are dangerous to life, health and property.

Therefore, we will strongly recommend to the customer that the appropriate agencies and or services be notified of the incident at the earliest possible time.

Although we would prefer that the “customer” makes the call, if any situation arises that we feel is unsafe or potentially dangerous to personnel, property or the environment we will not hesitate to notify emergency services and or appropriate agencies of the nature of the incident.

We will not be held responsible for any situation or actions relating to the refusal of the customer not notifying appropriate services or agencies as a result of an incident potential for danger to life, property or the environment.

It is important and relevant to note, that once notification to certain emergency services is made it is their policy and standard procedure to notify the respective agency or authority.

We will undertake not to notify the news media of any incident and in addition we will not discuss any details of any incident with the media. We strongly believe that this privilege belongs to the customer or emergency service/agency.

We do as part of our service portfolio like to take digital photographs of incidents in different stages. These photographs remain the property of our company and will only be made available to the customer; under no circumstances will the photographs have any text relating to the identity of the customer, nor will they be made available to any third party. We will fully respect the customer’s wish however if they ask that no photographs are taken.

If necessary these photos may be required for insurance purposes and will only be provided with the express permission of the customer.

Sub-Contractors

Due to the nature of the incidents that we are requested to attend there may almost certainly be a requirement to engage an outside contractor to perform tasks as part of the containment and or clean up process, this includes disposal.

We have a “preferred supplier” schedule of reputable companies that have vast experience with our company and the nature of the tasks to be undertaken, hence no time is wasted in sourcing contractors and just as important they know exactly what is expected of them upon notification and arrival.

Some of the tasks that these contractors undertake are:

• Vacuuming of storm water drains, water-ways etc

• Water blasting of affected areas, with approved cleaning, remediation products

• Removal and disposal of contaminated substances and used equipment

• Cleaning, scrubbing of affected areas

• Technical advice on procedures and or substance handling and composition.

• Provision of additional sorbents, safety equipment etc

• Provision of machinery, vehicles and personnel

• Provision of earth moving machinery and materials

• Provision of barriers, lighting, sanitation services (for long duration incidents)

• Provision of refreshments, accommodation (for long duration incidents)

• Provision of logistical information and resources.

As part of the approval to engage process that we discuss it is essential that customers fully understand that there will probably be a requirement to make use of one or more of our contractors so as to effect a safe and efficient operation.

We will undertake to engage the minimum of contractors but it has to be made absolutely clear that as the incident unfolds there may be a requirement to call for additional resources, permission will be secured prior to this action being taken and a full explanation of the need will be provided without hesitation.

There maybe the rare occasion that the customers prefer to use their own preferred contractor, we will respect this but will strongly recommend that we remain in control of the clean up process.

We will ensure that all contractors comply with all safety issues while in attendance at the incident. We will also undertake to ensure that contractors do not “waste time” and complete their designated tasks as quickly and effectively as possible.

Payment Of Account

This is always a tender issue but it is a crucial part of the process. Past experiences tell us that the cost of an incident can cost hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars depending on various factors.

We are also aware that incidents may result in an insurance claim and this process can take time to finalize.

However, it is absolutely essential that the complete payment process be finalized as soon as humanly possible. As part of our agreement with our contractors they are required to furnish us with a detailed account of their charges within two clear working days of the incident. It is important to note that they may have a requirement to receive accounts from suppliers themselves hence the two days clearance time.

We will undertake to provide a written report and photographs enclosed with our detailed account within five working days of the incident (we may be able to provide that sooner if possible). Payment of our invoice(s) is required within seven working days of receipt of account.

This account will provide a breakdown of the charges; we reserve the right of confidentiality in regards to invoices/accounts from our suppliers/contractors.

We can assure customers that the margin added to these charges are kept to an absolute minimum. We have an agreement with our supplier/contractor that no details regarding charges are forwarded to any other party regardless of circumstances. This is strictly adhered to.

We do not permit any changes to charges once invoice(s) have been posted.

Incident Aftermath

We strongly recommend to customers that a meeting/debrief be held as close to the conclusion of the incident as possible. Past experiences tell us that it is preferred that as little time as possible is allowed to pass as it ensures that all issues are fresh and not forgotten.

We take notes as the incident unfolds; these notes reflect changes in the nature of the incident, the size of the incident, discussions held between respective parties associated with the incident and any comments, observations etc. Times are also noted.

We encourage customers to be upfront with us regarding our performance at incidents as this allows for future fine-tuning. We also encourage any comments relating to the performance of our contractors, as this is also helpful to them.

We will be upfront with any comments from observations noted during the incident regarding the cooperation we received from the customer. We appreciate that being involved in such an incident can at times be somewhat daunting and actions can be uncharacteristic in the heat of the moment. At no time will any personal offence be taken from comments made, however a detailed explanation will be provided why such procedures were undertaken to satisfy any request or non understanding.

We have spent countless hours creating a reputation within the market sector we serve and it is absolutely crucial that the status of that reputation remain untarnished at all times. We have carefully positioned ourselves not only as a leading supplier of spill related product(s) but as a respected and professional supplier of services as well.

Training

Preparation for an incident such as a spillage in the workplace can be undertaken simply by providing staff with suitable training in the effective use of absorbent products. One crucial factor must be addressed however, that is a commitment from management to approve the purchase of suitable product(s) from our comprehensive range.

Once this has been undertaken we can provide:

• All staff

• Supervisors

• Management and staff (including supervisors)

With either basic or a more detailed instruction on the correct use of the product(s) and procedures to be undertaken in the event of a spill occurring. It is crucial however that any existing company policy relating to emergency procedures is not overridden but complimented by our training.

We pride ourselves on our expert ability to tailor practical solutions relating to product procurement, placement and use