Emily
Poyser - 9-Oct-2008 - Today Environment
Agency staff were presented with a Thank
You plaque for helping save and improve
the lives of almost 500 people.
In recognition of the
magnificent efforts from the staff at the
Environment Agency Midlands regional office,
the special Thank You plaque was awarded
for the many years of support given to the
National Blood Service. The plaque was presented
to Mark Sitton-Kent, Midlands Regional Director,
and Rob Ellis, Principal Officer (GIS) in
the Data Information and Environmental Assessment
section at the Solihull office.
The Thank You plaque
is to commemorate the help the Environment
Agency staff have and continue to give to
the National Blood Service. Over the past
3 years there have been 177 attendees to
the bloodmobile sessions and 161 donations
have been made.
The plaque is recognition
that there are very special people, who
give their time, energy and commitment to
donate, coordinate and facilitate donor
sessions, with an overall commitment that
enable the sessions to happen.
Mark Sitton-Kent, Midlands
Regional Director, speaking at the event
said, “I’ve supported the National Blood
Service for many years, since first giving
blood at University in 1987. It’s good to
see so many of my colleagues doing the same
and I know many of them would find it much
harder to donate were it not for the Bloodmobile
visiting our offices on a regular basis
– so we really appreciate the service”
Hospitals in the Birmingham
area alone need over 1400 donations of blood
every week in order to carry out life saving
and life improving treatments. Blood isn’t
just used for accidents and emergencies,
many patients, such as those undergoing
treatment for cancer and leukaemia need
regular blood transfusions.
Catherine Davies from
the National Blood Service said "I
would like to ask everyone reading this
to give an hour of their time to come and
donate. Remember you never know when someone
you love could need a blood transfusion.”
Anyone aged between
17 and 59, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone
12 lbs) and in general good health could
potentially start saving lives by becoming
a blood donor. For details of sessions in
your area or to book an appointment call
08457 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk.
+ More
Protect your pounds
and the environment
Rita Penman - 7-Oct-2008
- Maintaining your oil storage tank, whether
at home or at work, could save you pounds
and help protect the environment this winter.
The Environment Agency’s
oil storage campaign, launched last week
(30 September), is encouraging anyone with
an oil storage tank to ensure it is kept
in good condition and is secured to prevent
theft.
Oil is one of the most
common causes of water pollution, damaging
plants and wildlife, making soil infertile
and destroying habitats, but can so easily
be avoided.
Richard Bowen, environment
manager, said: “Every year we see an increase
in the reports of pollution incidents when
people start to switch on their heating.
This can have both environmental and financial
implications – destroying ponds and streams,
flowerbeds and agricultural land, and can
cost tens or even hundreds of thousands
of pounds to clear up - which very often
isn’t covered by insurance.
“There are some simple
things that tank owners can do to ensure
their oil is stored safely and the environment
is protected.”
• Ensure tanks are sited
as far away from drains, streams and ponds
as possible
• Inspect your tank,
pipework and other related equipment once
a week, for signs of damage, interference
or leaks
• Keep a record of your
oil use so you know how much you are using
and can identify potential problems quickly
- a small leak can add up to a large fuel
loss over time
• Always supervise your
oil delivery – resulting pollution incidents
could damage your land
• Check your home insurance
policy – you may not be covered for loss
of oil or pollution clean-up costs
• Be prepared and put
together an oil spill kit with absorbent
materials, drain blockers and leak sealing
putty
• Keep the 24 hour emergency
pollution helpline number - 0800 870 060
somewhere handy, in case of a spill.
Richard added: “We are
working with oil suppliers and oil storage
manufacturers to raise awareness of the
regulations and would encourage anyone who
has concerns over their current oil storage
to contact us for advice and guidance.”
The campaign, set to
run for six weeks, will include advice and
information on tank security, the pollution
that can be caused and what punishment can
be expected if you cause pollution by not
protecting your tank.
For further information
regarding both domestic and commercial oil
storage go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Case study 1 - NHS Blood
and Transplant
Ensuring a high standard
of maintenance of plant and equipment is
important for any organisation, but it is
essential for NHS Blood and Transplant in
Cambridge.
NHS Blood and Transplant’s
work involves blood processing, testing
and issue to hospitals, healthcare trusts
and emergency services, and requires them
to be on the road a great deal of the time.
In 2006 an oil storage
tank was installed to supply the fleet of
ambulances and other vehicles serving East
Anglia with fuel.
Martin Frohock, from
NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We worked
closely with the Environment Agency before
the time of the installation of the tank.
“They advised us on
local waterways and potential hazards to
ensure the tank was located in a convenient
place for us, but also to minimise any risk
to the environment.”
A number of precautions
have been taken, such as the addition of
a leak detection sensor and passive infrared
sensors (PIR) to minimise the use of electricity
when the tank isn’t being used.
Martin added: “We have
a planned preventative maintenance schedule
to make sure everything is in good working
order and to prevent potential problems,
which could result in us not being able
to operate and costing NHS Blood and Transplant
unnecessary money.”
To speak to someone
from NHS Blood and Transplant please contact
Ruth Greenaway on 0208 271 6367.
Case study 2 – Stainless
Metalcraft
Oil is an essential
ingredient for Stainless Metalcraft in Chatteris,
in their manufacture of metal products,
such as components for MRI scanners used
in hospitals across the world, so the correct
oil storage is crucial.
Following a routine
visit by the Environment Agency in October
2006, Stainless Metalcraft were found to
have several oil tanks which didn’t comply
with the oil storage regulations on site.
Some of the tanks were
considered a particularly high risk, as
they were very close to a riverbank.
Environment Agency officers
gave advice and guidance and the company
submitted an improvement plan, which took
a phased approach because of the number
of tanks involved.
Martin Johnson, from
Stainless Metalcraft, said: “By working
with the Environment Agency, we have developed
a two year programme of works – although
we made sure the most important changes
were made as soon as we could.
“It was important for
us to make sure we were not risking polluting
the local river, so our first priority was
to completely remove the high risk tanks
first. Over the past two years we have continued
to ensure that improvements were made to
the lower risk tanks.
Stainless Metalcraft
were determined to comply with the regulations
and are looking at further options to ensure
their oil is protected in the future.
Martin added: “Overall
we are committed to protecting the environment
as best we can, and working with the Environment
Agency has given us that peace of mind.”
