Tank Cleaning Works-Method Statement

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to guide towards providing a safe execution during tank cleaning works at all (Company Name) Project sites

Scope

This procedure applies to all (Company Name) personnel, Subcontractors and their employees. It shall apply to activities at the site for various projects.

General Procedures

The general procedure for Cleaning a Customer Water Storage Tank will vary depending on whether it is deemed to be accessible and safe. The following are standard basic procedures that should be followed for Customer Water Storage Tanks that are accessible and safe for Cleaning and Disinfection.

A Customer Water Storage Tank that is assessed as not accessible and safe should not be cleaned or disinfected until the Responsible Person has implemented the recommended provisions and safety control measures and confirmed that it is safe to continue.

Minimum Frequency for Customer Water Storage Tank Cleaning and Disinfection

Type of building	Tank material	Tank location	Frequency of Cleaning & Disinfection
Residential and Commercial	Concrete	*Underground	Bi-annually
		Ground	Bi-annually
		Roof	Annually
	Plastic	Ground	Annually
		Roof	Annually
	FRP	Ground	Annually
		Roof	Annually
	GRP	Ground	Annually
		Roof	Bi-annually
	GI or GS	Ground	Annually
		Roof	Annually

Requirements for Culpable Person-HSE

• The Culpable Person shall keep Water Storage Tanks (WTS) in a tidy, clean and safe condition and shall make sure that water stored within such Tanks is hygienic and in compliance with the Bureau’s Water Quality Regulations (BWQR’s).
• The accountable Person shall ensure a safe working environment in and around Customer Water Storage Tanks.
• The Culpable Person shall remove or control any environment, health, safety & Environmental (HSE) hazards on their Premises to ensure safe access or Inspection, Sampling, Cleaning and Disinfection of Customer Water Storage Tanks by Responsible Companies.
• The accountable Person shall ensure any HSE risk control measures identified by a Responsible Organization are put in place on time to enable the Inspection, Sampling, Cleaning or Disinfection of a Water Storage Tank.

Working in Confined Space

Before entry, the permit should be processed by a “qualified &competent person” and signed by the entrant (work performer) and supervisor/project manager. If an emergency exists, a “qualified/competent personal” can sign the permit. The completed permit shall be made available to all entrants; occupants and attendants by posting near the entrance of the confined space. The supervisor or “qualified person” has the authority to terminate the permit if conditions affecting the entry exceed the scope of the permit.

Observe activities internal and external to the confined space to regulate if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space and order the authorized entrants to evacuate the confined space as soon as possible under any of the below-mentioned conditions:

• If the attendant reveals a restricted condition.
• If the custodian observes the behavioural effects of hazard exposure in an authorized entrant.
• If the attendant observes a situation external to the space that could imperil the authorized entrants; 
• Cannot effectively and safely perform all the required duties.
• Carry out the following strict actions when unauthorized personals approach or enter a permit space while entry is ongoing
• Summon the unapproved personals that they must stay away from the confined space permit;
• Instruct the unofficial personals that they must exit immediately if they have entered the permit space; 
• Inform the unofficial entrants and the entry Forman if unauthorized persons have entered the confined space;
• Perform non-entry rescue only and does not attempt to rescue entrants by entering the confined space.
• Execute no duties that might interfere with the attendant's initial duty to monitor, observe and protect the authorized entrants.

Tank Cleaning Procedure

Pre-Checks

• Select the workers and screen for competency and Physical fitness to perform the activity.
• Ensure HSE induction, First Aid, working in Confined space training are provided before engaging them to work
• Ensure all workers at the site wear safety shoe, helmet, full-body harness and gloves during tank cleaning works.
• Ensure Fully Equipped First Aid Box should be made available at each location.
• Ensure Emergency contact details are listed.
• Ensure the Confine Space permit is implemented before starting tank cleaning works.
• Ensure all tools and equipment for the cleaning work are well maintained. Do not use units/parts that are in poor condition.
• Ensure & inspect the tank before entering for its safety. Follow Confined space permit Ensure weather condition is normal before starting to climb. Do not Work under abnormal weather conditions i.e., storm, wet conditions or high winds etc.…

Cleaning Procedures

Accessible for Cleaning & Disinfection

1. Empty the Tank.
2. Scrub or pressure hose the Tank interior walls to remove all dirt (using approved Cleaning Chemicals if necessary).
3. Rinse the Tank and drain the
4. Wastewater through the drain.
5. Apply Disinfectant to all internal Tank surfaces.
6. Allow Disinfectant to set for a minimum of 30 minutes or in line with the supplier’s recommendations.
7. Rinse the Tank and drain the Wastewater.
8. Refill the Tank with potable water.
9. Not accessible for Cleaning
10. Notify the Responsible Person to implement the recommended provisions or safety control measures to make the Tank accessible and safe for Cleaning.
11. Once the Tank is assessed as accessible and safe, follow standard procedure for Cleaning and Disinfection.

Water Tank Storage Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines 

1. Secure access and required authorizations to enter the building and conduct the Tank Cleaning.
2. Notify tenants of the proposed Tank Cleaning date and time at least 48 hours before Cleaning.
3. Shut off inlet valve at least 24 hours before Cleaning to allow maximum water to be used (to ensure less wastage of water).
4. Prepare all necessary Tank Cleaning equipment, Cleaning Chemicals and concentrations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) off-site and before Cleaning.
5. Arrive on-site and notify building residents and tenants through notices of the Cleaning and expected duration and precautions they should take.
6. Place safety barriers around Cleaning equipment and working area, if required.
7. If the Tank inlet valve has not already been turned off previously to allow the Tank to empty, then turn off the water inlet.
8. Lock-out/tag-out all Tank inlets and outlets and make sure signs are placed notifying that they should not be opened.
9. Proper ‘lock-out tag-out procedure and signage
10. Open the Tank cover and allow the Tank to vent for 20 minutes.
11. Determine safe oxygen and gas levels using a gas detector. If safe, insert air exchange/ exhaust fan hose.
12. Measuring safe gas levels before opening water Tank cover.
13. Drain the water remaining in the Tank using either the outlet valve (if available) or sump pumps (if the outlet valve is not available) to below 100 mm.
14. Different draining arrangements
15. Set up equipment, including any fall protection and confined spaces equipment and PPE.
16. Proper confined space and fall protection procedure and equipment
17. Scrub or pressure hose and clean dirt and grime from Tank surfaces, including Tank cover and entry points. 
18. Use approved Cleaning Chemicals if necessary.
19. Cleaning Non-Man-Entry
20. Tanks with brush
21. Cleaning Man-Entry Tanks with pressure jet wash
22. Cleaning Man-Entry
23. Rinse the Tank and drain the Wastewater.
24. Rinsing Man-Entry Tank interior after cleaning
25. Spray disinfectant on all Tank surfaces, including Tank cover and entry point ensuring maximum coverage.
26. Spraying disinfectant on Man-Entry Tank internal surfaces
27. Spraying disinfectant on Non-Man-Entry Tank internal surfaces 
28. Allow the disinfectant to remain for a minimum of 30 minutes.
29. Rinse the disinfectant and empty the Tank. 
30. Fill the Tank with potable water.
31. Take a water sample and send it for analysis.
32. Sampling following Cleaning and Disinfection
33. If water samples are compliant, retain records on file for five years.
34. If water tests are not compliant, repeat Cleaning and Disinfection within 48 hours and notify tenants that the water is ‘not safe for drinking and the next intended date and time for Cleaning. 

If possible (recommended minimum of two locations), to allow adequate means of dispersion away from the passage of smoke and/or fire. As being an accountable/HSE personal. you would have to take into consideration the type of employees involved and the likelihood of evacuation during inclement weather conditions (oxygen deficiency, humidity, heat etc.) and during the hours of darkness. The Fire Assembly Points (FAP’s) should be safely and easily accessed particularly for special persons, the elderly and children.

Records

Risk Assessment

Download File

Tank Cleaning Works-Method Statement