Emergency oil spill help
Oil is leaking. Here is what to do now.
Follow these steps in order. Keep yourself and others safe, limit further spread only where it is safe, and get the right help quickly.
Immediate danger?
Call the emergency services first.
Do this where there is a fire, serious injury, immediate danger to life or another situation requiring emergency attendance.
Do these in order
Five steps to take now
Do not put yourself at risk to save property or oil.
01
Keep people safe
Avoid direct contact, isolate the area and keep children and animals away.
02
Stop more oil escaping
If safe, close the valve or turn off the supply. Do not attempt a hazardous repair.
03
Protect drains and water
Block nearby drains with safe materials and contain spread without washing it away.
04
Report and request help
Report promptly if oil could reach drains or water. Notify your insurer and seek specialist support.
05
Create a simple record
Note times, take photographs and keep details of calls and actions taken.
Identify the situation
Where has the oil reached?
Recognising the affected area helps determine urgency and the kind of support you may need.
DRAINS
A drain or sewer
Treat this as urgent because oil can travel quickly beyond the property.
WATER
Stream, river or watercourse
Report promptly and avoid entering or disturbing affected water.
SOURCE
Around your tank, boiler & oil line
Check the tank, boiler and oil line for signs of a leak or spill.
GROUND
Soil, lawn or garden
Oil can soak into soil and spread beneath the visible area. Avoid digging or disturbing affected ground.
BUILDING
Inside or beneath a building
Oil can migrate beneath floors, into foundations and through building materials.
GROUNDWATER
Well or groundwater
Oil can migrate through the ground and affect wells, springs or groundwater.
Avoid making it worse
What not to do
Well-meant actions can spread contamination, increase risk or make assessment harder.
DO NOT
Do not hose it away
Water can drive oil across the surface, into soil or towards drains.
DO NOT
Do not use detergents
Cleaning products may disperse oil and move contamination rather than remove it.
DO NOT
Do not improvise repairs
Avoid lifting tanks or working with unsafe equipment and electrics.
DO NOT
Do not dispose casually
Oil-soaked materials may require controlled handling and lawful disposal.
DO
Do make key calls early
Prompt reporting can reduce harm and create a clearer insurance record.
DO
Do share clear facts
Location, active status, water risk, rough quantity and photographs help triage.
Professional response
The spill may need specialist attendance.
We can route your enquiry to an independent specialist who covers your area. They will assess, quote and contract with you directly.