A practical guide to shoreline oil spill response
Oil spills impacting shorelines require tailored response strategies to minimise environmental damage and facilitate recovery. This Shoreline Operations Field Guide provides practical guidance on shoreline protection, clean-up techniques, and operational best practices.
Key topics covered include:
- Health and safety considerations: PPE standards, working in tidal zones, and manual handling risks.
- Shoreline protection measures: Boom deployment, site preparation, and sensitive area preservation.
- Response strategies: Natural recovery, manual and mechanical clean-up, low- and high-pressure flushing, and sediment relocation.
- Shoreline type considerations: Adapting response techniques based on sand, rock, mudflat, and marsh environments.
- Waste management and disposal: Handling and segregating recovered oil, debris, and contaminated materials.
- Use of volunteers and community involvement: Guidelines for incorporating trained volunteers in shoreline clean-up efforts.
- Documentation and response evaluation: Standardised reporting, clean-up monitoring, and response effectiveness assessment.
A structured shoreline response ensures effective oil recovery while protecting local ecosystems and communities.
