Vacuum tankers are vehicles used in a wide range of industries, from liquid waste collection to clearing and cleaning drains. They are used to carry liquid waste and to clean and maintain the storage or delivery systems within the setup of an efficient company. But if the operating person is not guided adequately, there can be some problems.
Do you want a qualified vacuum tanker service provider? If yes, then contact Elliot Environmental Drainage. Call our London experts at 02036331266 and our Kent experts at 01303814478, or send us an email at gina@elliottdrainage.co.uk, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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This blog will offer the perfect precautions to operate a vacuum tanker for the good of the operator’s health and for facilitating the efficient functioning of the tanker machine.
1. Pre-Operation Checks
Vacuum tankers’ pre-operation checks are necessary since only through this can one confirm that a machine works well. These checks should include:
Inspecting Hoses and Connections
Inspect each of the hoses and their connections and make sure that there is no damage to them and that they are firmly and properly attached to the valve. Wear and tear should be fixed as soon as the first crack or leak is evident.
Checking Fluid Levels:
Maintain the proper level of fluids supplied as required in the machine; oil and hydraulic fluids are examples.
Examining Safety Features:
It is important to check that all safety features are in operation that is things such as emergency stop switches and relief valves.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
It is important to ensure that the operator wears the appropriate PPEs. This includes:
Hard Hats:
To prevent getting head injuries.
Safety Glasses:
For the protection of the eyes from dirt and chemicals.
Gloves:
To ensure that the workers do not face injury from the highly injurious chemicals and sharp items.
High-Visibility Clothing:
To ensure that the operator is easily visible, especially in the case of large working spaces or low light accessibility.
Respiratory Protection:
For protection from the material because the user might inhale the material by mistake.
3. Precautions while loading and unloading
Loading and unloading a vacuum tanker is difficult and has high risks relating to the use of hazardous substances. Follow these guidelines to ensure safety:
Stabilise the Vehicle:
Properly place the vacuum tanker on the firmly levelled ground and then ensure smooth and safe transportation by using wheel chocks.
Monitor Pressure Levels:
It is necessary to constantly monitor the pressure in the tank to avoid high levels that can cause equipment to malfunction and even result in explosions.
Avoid Overfilling:
Filling the vehicle with too much fuel will result in spillage, leading to injuries. It is important never to fill products beyond those recommended by its manufacturer.
Secure Hoses:
It is also good to check the tightness of all hoses before initiating the loading or unloading process to avoid ghastly accidents from leakage of fuel.
4. Handling Hazardous Materials
When dealing with hazardous materials, additional precautions are necessary:
Material Identification
Have knowledge of the various materials you are using and what hazards they present to the employees exposed to them. All operators must find and understand this information easily.
Spill Containment
Ensure that there are spill containment methods like absorbent materials and spill kits are available to prevent and allow for quick clean-up of any leaks or spills.
Emergency Procedures
For all operators, exercises should be conducted to train the operators in emergency procedures for handling such hazardous material. This encompasses the safety of the item and, how to protect oneself from harm, and the appropriate people to contact in case of any hazard.
5. Regular Maintenance
Maintenance comes in handy to ensure the vacuum tanker is constantly in working condition. This includes:
Scheduled Inspections
Inspections performed by qualified people at prescribed intervals can also prevent critical failures due to flaws in the next system design.
Replacing Worn Parts
Replacement of worn out or even damaged parts can be preventive on time to help in averting such occurrences.
Cleaning and Decontamination
It’s a must that the tank and hoses are to be cleaned with utmost frequency, especially when you are dealing with hazardous materials, so as to avoid contamination and destructive effects on the equipment.
6. Safe Driving Practices
Operating a vacuum tanker on the road requires careful attention to driving safety.
Adhere to Weight Limits
It is recommended that the vehicle should not be heavily loaded as this will lead to instability of the vehicle and poor braking efficiency.
Secure the Load
The loads should be handled in such a way that they do not move, causing accidents from the load.
Drive Cautiously
Avoid driving at a very high speed, particularly around bends/turns or on small roads, especially when you want to prevent yourself from crashing/turning over the car or any other predicament that might lead to losing control of the car.
7. Emergency Preparedness
Being prepared for emergencies can make a significant difference in the outcome of an incident. Risk planning enables one to minimise the damage done to property in case of an incident.
First Aid Training
It is also important to get all varieties of operators to have first aid training for basic first aid, and the availability is also necessary.
Emergency Contact Information
It is also wise to have the number of local ambulance/paramedics and the company safety officer on the ready for emergencies.
Fire Extinguishers
Processes of fire extinguishers must be established for the vacuum tankers, and this must be made available. All the operators must be educated on the use of the fire extinguishers.
8. Environmental Considerations
Environmental safety is also a critical aspect of operating a vacuum tanker.
Proper Disposal
Disseminate the waste materials according to district legislature to ensure environmental pollution is not an issue.
Spill Prevention
There should be regulations in place to prevent oil spills and leaks associated with the production process that may be harmful to the environment. Maintenance and routine checks on FTA equipment and appropriate customs and practices.
Training and Awareness
Continually orienting the operators on the safe keeping of the environment and how harmful effects to the environment can be addressed.
In conclusion, follow the above-mentioned safety tips for safe and easy usage of vacuum tanker.
