The Problem: Hydraulic oil contamination in a working hospital
An urgent environmental clean-up was required at Medway Maritime Hospital after a secure waste disposal van suffered a significant hydraulic oil leak. The fluid contaminated a critical goods in/out area, rendering the space immediately unusable due to the highly slippery residue and posing a severe slip hazard to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Compounding the problem, the client’s initial efforts to remediate the spill using sand and a road sweeper inadvertently smeared and spread the contamination to nearly double the size of the original area. This created an escalating emergency on a site where safety and continuous access were non-negotiable.
The Solution: Rapid containment and specialist oil remediation
Ideal Response was contacted to deliver an immediate, fully compliant oil spill clean-up solution. Given the setting of a live, busy hospital, the plan had to focus on:
- Hazard Elimination: Removing the slip hazard and fire risk.
- Environmental Protection: Preventing oil from entering nearby drains or water systems.
- Operational Continuity: Maintaining all emergency access routes and coordinating with hospital staff to manage ongoing vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Mobilisation and execution
The team arrived on site and immediately conducted a full site assessment, commencing oil spill containment and decontamination works in accordance with the agreed scope.
Key obstacles to overcome
Isolation and containment: The affected hospital car park area was immediately isolated using barriers and signage to prevent further access. Absorbent pads were strategically deployed to contain the leak and prevent contamination of nearby surface water drains.
Biohazard and safety: All operatives wore appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves, non-slip safety boots, and high-visibility clothing, to manage the risks from slippery surfaces and hazardous waste.
Cleaning process: Contaminated materials were securely lifted and removed from the site for specialist disposal. Hard surfaces were intensively cleaned and degreased using approved oil-removal agents, including the Dirt Driver and general Degreaser.
Traffic management: Work was coordinated around limited working space and the need to maintain constant vehicle and pedestrian access in a live environment.
The Result
The complex oil spill remediation was successfully completed in just one day, meeting the intense time pressure required to restore safe access for the hospital.
The team successfully removed all traces of the hydraulic oil, with particular attention paid to high-traffic zones to eliminate all slip hazards. A final inspection was conducted with the hospital’s facilities representative to confirm all oil traces had been removed. The site was left clean, dry, and fully reinstated for safe public and vehicular access.
