A leak of approx. 300 litres of toluene occurred in an adhesive tape factory. At 1:45 pm, the tanker lorry was parked onsite and the logistics unit extracted a sample of toluene to check for product quality (i.e. no fat). A vent door was opened at the top of the tank. After sampling, while the driver was moving his lorry, the logistics staff noticed that solvent was escaping through the open hatch. They warned the driver who immediately stopped his vehicle. Less than 300 litres had spilled onto the ground (onsite and on the road in front of the gate). The logistics team reacted quickly by spreading the absorbent material. The roads agency and fire department were informed. They enacted major measures given the level of substance flammability (intervention of a site chemical and explosion prevention unit). After providing a detailed report to the fire-fighters mobilised, a large quantity of absorbent material was introduced, and a foam barrier was dispersed over an area of about 100 m² to block the solvent vapours released from the ground. The emergency services verified the absence of explosive atmosphere in the stormwater system; after recovery of the foam and absorbent material, the safety measures were lifted. The roads agency cleaned and swept the area and an additional sweeping was planned the next day to remove remaining absorbent material. In all, seven 25-litre bags of absorbent material, three wide brooms and antistatic PE (polyethylene) shovels, as well as 20 empty drums to collect the foam and soiled absorbent material, were necessary. The waste was then packed in 200-litre drums to be destroyed by the plant’s specialist waste treatment company.

This incident was due to driver error. Following sampling, he forgot to close the vent trap on top of the tank while travelling to the unloading point. The operator informed the supplier of the incident and its responsibility for the damage caused by the spill. Measures were to be taken to ensure that the stormwater had not been polluted. The operator also reminded the supplier of the safety protocol (delivery and sampling while parked at the unloading point). Details had to be provided concerning the alert procedure in case of accidental spills, i.e. the specifics about quantities spilled to determine the means to be deployed by emergency services.