Richards, who has been with the business for five years, completed the internationally recognised assessment standard after several years working alongside independent assessor Steve Scott, who is now retiring. Until now, CSG has subcontracted the formal inspection and reporting element of tank assessments.
The move allows the company to deliver inspection, assessment and reporting within its own confined space team, which already undertakes tank cleaning, inspection support, tankering and waste management services.
CSG’s storage tank inspections assess overall tank condition, including corrosion risks, structural integrity and the impact of stored products. Inspections are carried out in line with UK and international safety and environmental standards, with recommendations provided on risk-based maintenance and expected asset lifespan. Storage tanks typically require inspection every three to five years.
Technology investment delivers cheaper, safer inspections
The development follows CSG’s £100,000 investment last year in drone inspection technology, which is now being used to support both internal and external tank assessments. The drone system uses LIDAR sensors and high-definition imaging to capture detailed internal and external data, allowing tank condition and metal thickness to be mapped in three dimensions.
According to CSG, drone-based inspection significantly reduces the need for scaffolding and confined access, improving safety and lowering inspection preparation costs, particularly for large-scale assets. The company reports having inspected tanks up to 90 metres in diameter, including crude oil storage tanks holding tens of thousands of tonnes of product.
Alongside external inspection work, Richards and the confined space team are also undertaking inspections across CSG’s own UK sites as part of ongoing compliance and safety checks.
Image provided by CSG