Free Safe Operating Procedure (Spill Berm Setup) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Spill Berm Setup) Template

Effectively managing hazardous liquid spills is critical for environmental protection and worker safety. This Free Safe Operating Procedure (Spill Berm Setup) Template provides a structured format for documenting the specific, step-by-step actions required to correctly and safely deploy temporary spill berms.

A clear, documented procedure helps prevent ground and water contamination, minimises worker exposure to harmful substances, and reduces the risk of costly clean-up operations and regulatory fines. Using a standardised Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) ensures that all personnel perform the task consistently and safely, every time.

A well-written SOP is a fundamental training tool, a reference for competent operators, and a key document within your broader WHS management systems. It formalises your organisation's commitment to controlling risks and demonstrates due diligence in managing foreseeable hazards associated with liquid storage and handling. This template is designed as a practical starting point, aligned with Australian WHS best practices for risk management.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Spill Berm Setup) Template

This resource is available for download as a DOCX file for easy editing and a PDF for immediate use. The primary purpose of the template is to be adapted to the unique context of your workplace.

You should review and modify every section to ensure it accurately reflects your specific equipment, materials, and operational environment. While this document is a comprehensive starting point, compliance is dependent on its correct customisation and implementation.

Important: It is crucial to remember that this is a template. We have designed it as a starting point, and you must customise it to reflect the specific types of spill berms, hazardous materials, and unique environmental conditions present in your workplace.

A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has a primary duty of care, which includes consulting with workers when developing and reviewing procedures that affect their health and safety.

Key sections to customise include:

• Hazard Identification: Add any site-specific hazards related to the location, the substances being contained, or the equipment used.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Specify the exact PPE required, such as chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and appropriate footwear, based on your risk assessment and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the substance.
• Pre-use Inspection: Detail the checklist your workers must follow to inspect the spill berm for tears, punctures, or defects before deployment.
• Step-by-Step Procedure: Modify the steps to match the exact type of spill berm you use (e.g., collapsible wall, inflatable, foam edge) and the typical scenarios in which it is deployed.
• Post-use Procedure: Outline your specific process for cleaning, decontaminating, inspecting, and storing the berm.

For tasks not covered by our specific templates, our generic Free Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) Template provides a versatile foundation for a wide range of activities.

When to use a Spill Berm

A spill berm is a form of secondary containment used to control and capture spills and leaks from containers or equipment. This Safe Operating Procedure should be followed whenever a temporary berm is set up. Common scenarios include:

• During refuelling of vehicles, mobile plant, or generators, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.
• When performing maintenance on equipment where fluid leaks (e.g., oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant) are possible. Procedures for specific equipment can be detailed in documents like our Free Air Compressor SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) Template.
• While transferring liquids between containers, such as decanting chemicals from a 200L drum to a smaller vessel.
• To create a temporary bunded area for leaking drums, tanks, or machinery until they can be properly repaired or removed.
• When moving large containers of hazardous materials using equipment such as forklifts or telehandlers. Operators of such machinery must also follow specific procedures, as outlined in resources like our FREE Telehandler SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) Template.

Who should use this Safe Operating Procedure

This SOP is intended for all personnel who may be required to handle, deploy, or manage temporary spill berms. Specific roles include:

• Site Supervisors and Managers: They are responsible for ensuring the SOP is implemented correctly, workers are trained on the procedure, and its use is enforced. The effectiveness of these procedures can be verified through regular WHS compliance auditing.
• Maintenance Personnel: Any workers involved in servicing plant and equipment that contain significant volumes of fuel, oil, or other potentially hazardous fluids.
• Warehouse and Logistics Staff: Personnel responsible for storing, moving, and decanting liquid chemicals.
• Emergency Response Team Members: As part of the initial response to a spill incident, the deployment of a berm may be a critical first step.
• Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Officers: For use in training, risk assessments, and incident planning.

After customising this document, explore our entire free WHS resources library for more templates to support your safety management system.