Alice Springs Airport

SPILL
MANAGEMENT
PREVENTING STORMWATER
POLLUTION
2 DARWIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CONTENTS

STORMWATER POLLUTION

Introduction 4

What is stormwater? 5

The Law and what this means for you at Alice Springs Airport 5

SPILL RESPONSE

What is a spill? 6

Remember safety comes first 6

Spill response procedures 6

Regular public transport apron spill procedure 7

Reporting spills 8

Spill response equipment 8

PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION

Preventing a spill 9

Contacts 9

Glossary 10

SPILL MANAGEMENT PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION 3

STORMWATER
POLLUTION

INTRODUCTION
For the purpose of this handbook, the airport environment
includes all land leased from the Commonwealth
government by Alice Springs Airport (ASA) which could
potentially be impacted by airport equipment and
operations including construction equipment and public
vehicles.

This handbook contains information on what stormwater

and a spill is; whether the spill is major or minor; what to
do when a spill occurs; how to minimise the impact and
prevent the spill happening in the future.

The handbook should be read in conjunction with your

company’s own spill response procedures. Encourage
others in your company to read this handbook and be
familiar with its contents.

Copies of this handbook are available on the NT Airports

website www.ntairports.com.au/environment.
Water is a valuable resource and our use of water for
drinking, farming and recreation can be threatened by
discharge of contaminants.

The airport environment has large areas of hard surfaces

such as parking areas, runways, taxiways and aprons
where there is the potential for liquid spills and leaks of
oil, fuel, effluent and other chemicals.

If these spills are not contained and cleaned up,

then contaminants can pose a significant risk to
groundwater and can flow into the stormwater drains.

Liquid spills at the airport are not only harmful to the

environment, but can also pose a serious risk to the
safety of people and property and damage pavement.

4 ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT

Alice Springs Airport (ASA) has prepared this handbook on spill response
procedures for airport workers who use, handle, store or transport
substances that could contaminate the airport environment.

WHAT IS STORMWATER?
The stormwater system is designed to prevent flooding by
collecting rainwater from roofs and paved areas of ground.

On its way to the gutter and the stormwater drain outside

your hangar, apron or building this rainwater picks up
pollutants and contaminants including litter, cigarette
butts, animal excrement, dust, plant materials, petrol, oil,
lead and other metals or materials left behind on aprons,
car parks and roads.

The water then travels through a system of underground

pipes and open drains and is released directly and untreated
into the airport drainage system. So whatever enters that
drain outside your hangar, apron or building – whether it’s
poured in intentionally or washed down with rainwater –
enters our airport drains in virtually the same untreated
condition.

THE LAW AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU AT

ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT
The Airports Act 1996 makes it an offence for a Operators at Alice Springs Airport must therefore:
person to directly or indirectly cause environmental »» so far as is reasonably practicable, that where
pollution on an airport; significant penalties apply. The there is a risk of a hazardous chemical spill or leak,
Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 provision is made for a spill containment system that
require operators on airports to take all reasonable contains the spill or leak, and any resulting effluent
and practicable measures to prevent pollution and, if »» the spill containment system does not create a
prevention is not possible, to minimise pollution. hazard by bringing together different hazardous
chemicals that are not compatible
The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform »» the spill containment system provides for the clean-
Legislation) Act and Regulations apply to the up and disposal of a hazardous chemical that spills
management of Hazardous Materials (i.e. fuels, oils, or leaks, and any resulting effluent
solvents and other chemicals) and require people using »» so far as is reasonably practicable, that containers of
and storing these products to make provision for: hazardous chemicals and any associated pipe work
»» containment of spills and or attachments are protected against damage caused
»» response to, and clean-up of, spills that occur by an impact or excessive loads

SPILL MANAGEMENT PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION 5

SPILL RESPONSE

WHAT IS A SPILL?
It is the spillage of any substance that is likely to If you find a minor spill and did not create it, ASA expects
contaminate stormwater or natural ground. you to report the spill immediately to ASA Aerodrome
Reporting Officer on 0402 088 154 or 8951 1211.
Substances may include, but are not restricted to:
»» oils and fuels The person who creates or finds a minor spill is expected
»» toxic metals to direct others away from the spill.
»» chemicals (detergents)
»» sediment (earthworks) A major spill – is any spill which is greater than 2m2.
»» organic wastes (domestic sewage and plant and animal A major spill should be reported immediately to the
products) ASA Aerodrome Reporting Officer on 0402 088 154 or
8951 1211.
A minor spill – covers less than 2m2 and can be contained
and cleared up by the person who created the spill without
the assistance of ASA Operations.

REMEMBER SAFETY COMES FIRST

Call the Aerodrome Reporting Officer (0402 088 154) Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
immediately if you can’t contain the spill, don’t know what when managing spilt material and let experts deal with
has been spilt, the spill material has entered a stormwater toxic materials.
drain or if the material spilt is toxic.

SPILL RESPONSE PROCEDURES

All operators at Alice Springs Airport must take the whether any material has entered the drains.
following action in the event of a spill: »» Control the spill – Stop the spill from spreading by
placing absorbent material in a down-slope position
»» Ensure the safety of people – Move people, and and by blocking stormwater inlets.
equipment if it is safe to do so, from the immediate »» Clean up the spill – Apply absorbent material, sweep
vicinity of the spill. up residue and place it in a container for disposal. If
»» Assess the spill – Establish whether you have the right soil has been contaminated, dig up the affected soil
equipment, and sufficient quantities of it, to deal with and place it in a container for disposal.
the material split. »» Dispose of contaminated spill response material or soil
»» Assess the location – Establish whether there are any to an appropriately licensed waste facility. Retain a
drains nearby that need protection and determine copy of the waste disposal certificates for your records.

6 ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT

REGULAR PUBLIC TRANSPORT APRON SPILL
PROCEDURE
The Regular Public Transport (RPT) Apron accommodates available in the spill kits. All airport staff shall also comply
the aircraft that use the main terminal building for with the airport minimal PPE requirements and their
passenger and cargo transport. company’s PPE Policy and/or procedures.

Controlling a spill Uses absorbent material to contain the spill to prevent or

If possible, position yourself upwind of the spill. Ignition minimise the amount of spill that will damage pavement,
sources must be turned off as soon as possible, especially create a safety hazard or pollute stormwater drains.
if you don’t know the nature of the spill. Move away from
the fuel source before switching any ignition sources off. Airport Groundstaff, via Airport Operations, must be called
to clean the ground surface after the absorbent materials
Examples of ignition sources are: have absorbed most of the spill if the pavement is slippery.
»» cigarette lighters
»» portable radios Disposal of spill waste
»» mobile phone/pager Depending on the nature of the spill, it may produce
»» camera flashes hazardous waste. All saturated absorbent material must
»» safety matches be put in purpose-built sealed plastic bags to prevent the
»» motor vehicles material from leaking. Spill waste bins are located on the
RPT apron.
If it is safe to do so, turn leaking valves and pumps off to
stop further leakage. Emergency fuel stop buttons (located All contaminated absorbent material requires disposal at
on Bays 3 and 6) are available to stop uncontrolled aircraft an approved disposal facility. ASA Groundstaff must be
refuelling operations. Should they be required an emergency notified if the spill waste bins are used so that the product
shower and eyewash station are available on Bay 5. can be removed.

Containing the spill – Minor Spill

Absorbent materials absorb liquid spills to prevent or
minimise the amount of spill entering stormwater drains,
reduce pavement damage and to provide a safer working
environment. Absorbent materials may include absorbent
socks, booms, bunds and mats.

Emergency spill kits are available on the RPT apron.

Airport users should have their own emergency spill kits for
cleaning up minor spills. Gear that should be contained in
a spill kit is listed on page 8.

Containing the spill – Major Spill

Contact ARFF Service and ASA Operations immediately.

Sewage Spill
Major sewage spills should not be handled due to health
reasons. These spills are to reported immediately to the
ASA Operations who in turn arranges ASA Groundstaff who
manage this issue.

Cleaning up a spill
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to be worn when
handling sewage, fuel, oil and hazardous substances.
PPE includes gloves, goggles and disposable coveralls are

SPILL MANAGEMENT PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION 7

REPORTING SPILLS
All spills MUST be reported.

Minor Spills - (less than 2m2) call the Aerodrome

Reporting Officer on 0402 088 154

Major Spills - (greater than 2m2) call the Aviation Rescue

Fire Fighting Service on 8958 4799 and the Aerodrome
Reporting Officer on 0402 088 154

An Environment Incident Form, available from Airport

Operations, must be completed.

SPILL RESPONSE EQUIPMENT

All operators on airport are required to maintain sufficient In facilities where small amounts (<20L) of Dangerous
response equipment to manage the type and size of the spill Goods and Chemicals are used and stored, absorbent
that may occur at their premises, or in association with their substances such as chemsorb or saw dust are sufficient for
work. spill response.

There is a variety of spill response equipment. The type and Make sure your emergency spill kits are in accessible places
quantity of fuel, oil and chemicals you use and store at your and everyone knows where they are. Place your emergency
facility will determine the type and quantity of spill response telephone contact sheet in places it will be needed e.g. with
equipment you require. the kit or by the phone.

Spill response material designed to target specific substances Make it one person’s responsibility to maintain the kits and
is commercially available. For example absorbent mats and replace equipment after a spill. You can assemble your
booms designed to absorb hydrocarbons (fuel and oil) and own emergency spill kits or buy standard kits by referring
allow water to pass through is available. to the Yellow Pages under Safety Consultants and Safety
Equipment.
Spill Response Equipment can include:
»» Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – gloves, coveralls, To assemble your own spill kits you can buy a wheelie bin
goggles and boots for each high risk area, fill it with what you need and put
»» Absorbent materials such as bunds and booms, socks a copy of your spill procedure and emergency telephone
and mats etc numbers on it.
»» Absorbent Granules
»» Stormwater Drain Caps
»» Portable Bunds
»» Disposal bags or containers
»» Brush and dustpan

8 ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT

PREVENTING STORMWATER
POLLUTION

PREVENTING A SPILL
Every facility at the airport that handles, stores, uses »» knowing where the stormwater and sewer drains are
or transports substances that could contaminate the and ensuring only rain goes into the stormwater drains
environment or endanger people and property needs to be »» at all times keeping your site clean and tidy
proactive in preventing spills. »» being prepared to cope with a spill by providing
equipment and staff training in the correct use of spill
Prevent spills by: procedures and equipment
»» providing the correct storage equipment such as drip »» setting up internal systems so that staff can protect our
trays for collecting substances that may spill or leak environment
into the environment
»» ensuring all staff know how to handle, store, use and
transport materials and substances properly

CONTACTS
»» ASA Aerodrome Reporting Officer - 0402 088 154
»» ASA Maintenance - 0402 088157
»» DIA Environment Manager - 89201820
»» Airservices Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service -
8958 4799

SPILL MANAGEMENT PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION 9

Water is a valuable resource and our use of water
for drinking, farming, fishing and recreation can be
threatened by discharge of contaminants.

GLOSSARY
Aircraft Fueling Ramp1 – any outdoor area at an airport, Bunding – a constructed impervious embankment or wall,
including aprons and hardstands, where aircraft are either permanent or temporary, which may surround storage
normally fuelled or defueled. areas, drains etc which is designed to prevent migration of
any spill or leak to the surrounding drains or the ground
Aircraft Loading Walkway1 – an aboveground device
through which passengers move between a point in an Environmental Incident – the release of anything that has
airport terminal building and an aircraft. Included in the potential to contaminate the airport environment
this category are walkways that are essentially fixed and e.g. air, water and soil
permanently placed, or walkways that essentially mobile
Hazardous Material – materials which, without adequate
in nature and that fold, telescope, or pivot from a fixed
safeguards, may contaminate and harm the environment.
point at the airport terminal building.
This includes dangerous goods and many industrial
Airport – the airport owned and operated by Alice Springs chemicals
Airport at Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
Landside – that portion of an airport not designated airside
Airport Ramp1 – any outdoor area, including aprons and and to which the general public normally has free access
hardstands, where aircraft can be positioned, stored,
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment – includes gloves,
serviced, or maintained, irrespective of the nature of the
coveralls, goggles and boots which should be worn when
surface of the area.
attending a spill
Airport Terminal Building1 – a structure used primarily
Potential Fuel Spill Points1 – the points on or around the
for air passenger enplaning or deplaning, including
aircraft or airport ramp where fuel can be released. These
ticket sales, flight information, baggage handling, and
points include fueling hydrants, fuel servicing vehicles, fuel
other necessary function in connection with air transport
tank fill connections, fuel vent openings, and fuel dump
operations. This term includes any extensions and satellite
valves.
buildings used for passenger handling or aircraft flight
service functions. Aircraft loading walkways and “mobile Safety Data Sheet – contains the information on the
lounges” are excluded. chemical constituents of a product and their properties,
health hazard information, first aid, precautions for
Airside – the area inside the security fence of the Airport
use, disposal information and advice to doctors. This
which has controlled entry
information will be requested in the event of a major spill
Alice Springs Airport – Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd
Shall1 – indicates a mandatory requirement
Apron – the hard surface area in which the aircraft park,
Should1 – indicates a recommendation or that which is
unload and reload passengers and cargo as well as refuel,
advised but not required
refill water, remove wastes and carry out maintenance on
aircraft

ASA – Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd

1
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 415 Standard on Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways 2008 Edition, NFPA,
1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, An International Codes and Standards Organization

10 ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT

 11 MANAGEMENT PREVENTING STORMWATER POLLUTION
SPILL 11
ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT | Airport Management Centre
T: +61 8 8951 1211 | F: +61 8 8955 5046 | E: enquiry@ntairports.com.au
PO Box 796 Alice Springs NT 0871 | Santa Teresa Road Alice Springs NT 0870
FIRST CLASS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN

www.alicespringsairport.com.au
DECEMBER 2013