Data for Safer Oil Spill Response
The project will measure and analyse data on flammability and harmful concentrations to improve the safety of oil spill response.
On-site measurements of spill response tests
Measurement data to improve the safety of oil spill response
The aim of the project is to improve the safety of oil spill response by measuring data on the concentration of hazardous substances and ignition hazards during oil spill response.
The project will use concentration detectors that record continuous measurement data on concentrations of toxic and flammable gases, vapours and oxygen. Measurement data will be collected during response tests with different fuels and liquids. The measurement data can be extracted in electronic format, so that they can be analysed for each work phase or other time interval. That way the data can be used to identify the most hazardous work phases and time periods for health and safety on a substance-specific basis.
Measurements are made using both fixed multi-gas meters installed above the oil spill response basin and meters installed in the breathing zone of the response personnel.
The analysis results in a description of the safety environment of the response, including a risk assessment.
Both rescue and environmental authorities as well as occupational health professionals will be involved in the risk assessment.
The project will serve as a pre-project for a wider international development project, which will be prepared in the course of the project.
Project activities
1) Definition of a testing approach and creation of a broader project framework, further project preparation.
2) Construction of test conditions (test oils, protective equipment, measurement equipment and test set-up, preparation of measurement protocols)
3) Field measurements (in three stages: booming, mechanical recovery, absorption)
4) Analysis of results (data extraction, interpretation and reporting)
5) Risk assessment (assessment of the severity of the risk, definition of risk management measures)
6) Dissemination of results (social media, professional journals, articles, scientific articles) and feedback from participants.
The project will be implemented between 1.9.2023 and 31.12.2024. Testing will take place in spring/summer 2024.
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Publications
Crude oil spill response preliminary tests preparing the ground for further studies
Halonen, J. 2024. Crude oil spill response preliminary tests preparing the ground for further studies. In: Xamk READ 2/2024. Xamk READ – Research, Education and Regional Development, Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulun verkkolehti.
Raw Date on Crude Oil
To respond to crude oil spills the flammability and harmful concentrations of the oil must be taken into account. Tests will be started at Xamk’s oil spill response test basin to collect measurement data on the hazardous properties of the substance under different spill conditions…
You can find more publications (in Finnish) on the project’s Finnish website.