This is not about regulations, or whether to seal tankers, or which seals are best. Those are separate discussions. If you use seals, here is information that could help. If it’s your tanker or your product, you need to know everything is as it should be. If it is not in your control at all times, then good sealing practices will reduce the chances that anything was opened or tampered - without your knowledge. That is the primary job of a seal.

WHERE ARE SEALS USED IN TANK OPERATIONS

Seals are part of most tanker operations at some point. With growing concerns about liability, and even terrorist acts, seals have become far more noticed lately. They are a tool in identifying whether any tank truck, valve, hatch, or other closure was opened. (After it was loaded, emptied, handed off to someone else, serviced, or otherwise handled.)

This includes securing empty tanks trailers before and after wash process or inspection. Sealing holding tanks at loading and unloading facilities. Monitoring entry or opening of critical control equipment including pumps, plant filtration, flow controls and restricted areas.

HOW EFFECTIVE ARE SEALS?

Seals by themselves cannot protect your product, containers, valves, or other closures from access by motivated people who intend harm. Nor can any technology. It is unrealistic to expect that. But all well-made seals can be effective in tamper detection, with appropriate application, a strong and enforced program for control and inspection, plus use of well-considered and adaptable countermeasures.

Also, each step to improve design and use of seals improves the odds. It can reduce points of opportunity and help spot tampering more readily.

STEPS TO MAKE YOUR SEALS EFFECTIVE

For a seal to be effective there must be a high level of trust and reliability at the point of locking, and upon opening.Who handles the seals (and how they are used) is crucial. Relying on technology only, without addressing the human factors will not get the job done.

One can argue which seals work best (or which don’t work) for a given use. But, if you don’t use seals properly, or don’t trust the person locking and opening them, you are exposed to risks that could be prevented.

It is important to continuously evaluate and adapt measures that will best enhance the seals’ worth. Here are some general measures that could be adopted for your seals to reduce and more readily detect tampering or attempts to tamper.

• Follow best practices where possible. There are simple steps to follow when receiving issuing and using tamper evident seals. Our guidance for this is on our web page.

• Use Visible Deterrents

Make your sealing standards known to all involved, from end-to-end.

Post warnings regarding unreported errors or anomalies, such as lost/missing/damaged seals

Post pictures and seal details to inform those involved of what the seal should look like.

Teach and review procedures. Be sure those involved know what should be done and what happens if seals are not as they should be.

• Vary your seals occasionally if you suspect or have experienced possible tampering.

Seals can be purchased in a range of colors and types. You can vary markings, model, size, or style. It’s a little like changing your passwords from time to time.

• Layer the Technology

For very high value or sensitive products consider layers of multiple seals. We offer a wide range of options with latest technologies in labeling and sealing.

• Ask for our assistance if you need it.

We offer any help in sealing your tankers and other key assets. We can advise on security measures and provide a range of custom services for inventory management, packing, and other aspects of your sealing program.

AC&M has been a leader in tamper evident seals for tank trucks, tank wash and related industries. We have been producing seals at our advanced production facilities in New York for over a century. We proudly serve large and small fleets, processors, and refineries worldwide.

Contact us directly or through our web site. Our experienced experts in tamper evident seals are glad to provide guidance in application, product selection or any related need you may have.