When washing a fleet of vehicles, transportation or shipping companies have a responsibility to process the waste water that is produced from the process. Known as grey water, this water contains a variety of contaminants, such as grit salt, dirt, oils, and detergent, that must be removed so that the water can be recycled for use in other applications.
Grey water reclamation systems, particularly those integrated in vehicle wash enclosures, offer a multi-pronged approach to sustainable industrial practice. By focusing on containment, safety, hygiene, and equipment maintenance, these systems help businesses to adhere to water recycling regulations and to promote a more sustainable environment.
In this article, we’ll discuss the regulations that surround grey water recycling systems and what they mean for your business.
Containment Of Contaminants
Grey water reclamation systems, particularly those used in vehicle wash enclosures, play a crucial role in the containment of contaminants such as chemicals, oils, grease, and dirt by providing a confined space where vehicles can be thoroughly cleaned of potentially harmful substances. They are suitable for personnel who need to decontaminate after work, particularly if they have been in contact with potentially hazardous chemicals.
Businesses are expected to take action to prevent harmful substances from polluting the environment. Chemicals, for instance, can seep through the soil and enter underground waterways, which causes irreparable damage to wildlife. By preventing contaminants from leaching into the environment, grey water reclamation systems actively contribute to the safeguarding of the ecosystem.
Safety And Compliance
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of employees is vital – and a legal responsibility - in all sectors, but it’s a responsibility that is even more acute in industries in which hazardous materials or substances are used. Wash enclosures equipped with safety features protect workers from potential dangers and help businesses to comply with strict safety regulations.
Grey water reclamation systems can support mobile plant operators by providing accessible wash enclosures to eliminate contaminants and, therefore, minimise the risk of injuries or chemical exposure. By installing reclamation systems, industrial businesses can create a secure workplace environment that adheres with current health and safety legislation.
Hygiene And Cleanliness
Industries in which dirt, grime, and chemicals are an unavoidable fact of life benefit from wash enclosures as employees can maintain a higher degree of personal hygiene, thereby preventing cross-contamination. As a result, the workplace as a whole is healthier, with fewer infections or illnesses that result in sickness absence and subdued productivity.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers have a legal duty to ensure that the workplace is clean and tidy. A wash enclosure promotes high standards of workplace cleanliness and reduces the risks employees face, while protecting the environment from harm by adopting an effective water reclamation system.
Equipment Cleaning
Wash enclosures and grey water reclamation systems also act as effective cleaning facilities for equipment, tools, and machinery. This helps to ensure their longevity and performance by preventing the buildup of debris or contaminants that could compromise operational efficiency.
Industry regulations often require the regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment, so wash enclosures are an indispensable asset that helps businesses to comply with requirements.
Call the experts today
To find out more about water reclamation for your vehicle wash facility and how you can stay on the right side of water recycling regulations, please get in touch with Britannia Wash Systems today.
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