Ventia operates a national facility maintenance contract on behalf of Telstra, which includes the identification, assessment, and removal of various occupational hazards.

As a specialist contractor, RARE Environmental plays a critical role in supporting Ventia’s national contract delivery. Following a recent rain event and the failure of a diesel day tank shut-off valve, a significant diesel spill occurred in the basement of the exchange, posing both a serious environmental and occupational risk.

RARE Environmental, in collaboration with a specialist delivery partner, provided an immediate response, implementing initial containment measures before executing the complete cleaning and removal of all liquids and residual diesel films resulting from the spill. 

• Conducted an initial scoping inspection to provide Ventia and Telstra with a comprehensive assessment of the spill impact and required remediation efforts.  

• Prepared all necessary documentation in strict compliance with Ventia and Telstra standards, including confined space permits and management plans.  

• Mobilised an experienced site crew, ensuring all personnel were properly onboarded for Ventia/Telstra operations. 

• Established a controlled work zone, positioning a vacuum tanker on the road approximately 10 meters above the basement floor and deploying 50 meters of hose for liquid extraction. 

• Removed bulk liquids directly via the vacuum tanker, including contaminated sumps, pits, and multiple lift shaft pits. 

• Captured and contained floor liquids using absorbents, securely sealing them in 200µm disposal bags. 

• Performed high-pressure cleaning of all accessible surfaces to eliminate residual diesel film, while flushing pits and drainage lines, capturing all runoff via the vacuum tanker. 

• Conducted chemical testing of all liquid and bulk waste, ensuring disposal compliance based on laboratory results. 

• Successfully restored the basement of the exchange to normal operations within three days.