What is the Primary Use of a Spill Kit?

Many chemicals are used in commercial and industrial facilities for manufacturing and production purposes. Since these chemicals are mostly stored in large containers and bulky drums, they silently pose the risk of leakage. If it happens, this can lead to many health hazards for the workers and the overall environment if it isn’t addressed promptly.

Thankfully, the spill kit saves us before anything gets beyond order and provides us with reliable first-aid treatment before permanent help arrives. If you’re interested in knowing what it is and its primary usage, this blog will explore it and tell you how you can keep your vicinity safe with this gifted kit.

What is a Spill Kit?

It’s an equipment kit that has multiple tools and absorbents to cater to the emergency situation when a substance spreads over the surface. As the oil leaks and scatters on the ground, this kit helps us prevent the spread of hazardous material and neutralise its damaging effects in a matter of moments.

Meanwhile, since this kit demands some skills to showcase at the need of the hour, the organisations provide some training to individuals on how to use it correctly and keep the employees, workers, and deployed personnel safe from any hazards.

What is a Spill Kit Made of?

The spill kit items can vary from one kit to another, but some items are common in most kits. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Signage
• Coveralls
• Absorbent pads
• Absorbent socks, pillows
• Disposal bags and ties
• Protective gloves
• Safety goggles
• Dustpan and brush
• Hazardous waste labels
• Instruction manual

These items are just for reference, as there can be additional items according to the location demands of experts. Plus, to comply with the governmental regulations and meet the official standards.

Law on Spill Kit Availability in Your Space

Although there isn’t a specific law mandating spill kits in every commercial or industrial property, it’s essential to note that the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 emphasise the importance of a safe workplace environment.

Additionally, it’s a commendable suggestion to equip the space with the necessary safety equipment, ensuring the workers can handle unexpected situations effectively.

Primary Usage of Spill Kit

Just like normal incidents in industrial facilities, spillage of chemical substances and liquid solutions is among the top ones. It can happen anytime in a confined territory or during the transportation of raw materials from one site to another.

Unfortunately, if the leak happens, this can pose various problems, including health and environmental concerns. To tackle this issue, the first thought that comes to mind is draining these chemicals into the main sewer lines; however, this requires approval from the Environment Agency and other regulatory authorities to prevent any legal consequences in the future.

At that moment, the only available cure is the spill kits, which contain various kinds of tools to handle the dangerous situation intelligently. These kits serve the primary purpose of preventing the spillage from spreading around the surface. The anti-spill elements function like sponges, soaking up any spillage, including acids, oil, coolants, and even alkalis, as soon as they come into contact with the contaminated area.

Since these absorbents are prepared with polypropylene material, they offer great chemical resistance and rank as the top solution to cope with any kind of spills right away. That’s why its application is huge and covers everything from schools to restricted facilities and even hospitals.

Spill Risk Assessment

As you are aware, your locations contain certain chemicals that can be hazardous to both you and the environment. You have to assess the risk before anything bad happens. This will help you to stay safe from any unpredictable incident and act promptly with the right tool to save you and your people.

Meanwhile, the assessment of this spill risk includes calculating the hazardous chemicals stored and their volumes. So, you have enough kits to utilise in the hour of need. You should also take the individual Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with you to avoid neglecting anything that is essential.

Effects of the Spill

The outcome when any chemical is spread over the surface varies based on its properties and the level of its spread. Just like lower quantities have fewer consequences and are easier to handle, rather than bulk spills, which are more challenging to accumulate and clean up. Below are some of the effects of the spill:

• If the spill comes into contact with human skin, it can cause eye irritation, chemical burns due to toxic ingredients, respiratory issues, and even symptoms of poisoning.
• When the solution spreads over the ground, it damages the flooring and also poses a fire risk because its ingredients are highly flammable.
• The spills are also dangerous for our environment, as the elements can pose damage to wildlife and marine life if dumped into rivers or the sea.
• It can lead to significant financial burdens due to the costs of restoring your space, replacing damaged items, and meeting various demands, which can add to your current expenses.

Premises That Require Spill Kits

Any location that utilises or stores chemicals, oil or hazardous substances should have a spill kit readily available for emergencies. This enables workers to remain in a safe area while promptly minimising the effects of spillage. Here are some places that ought to have these kits:

• Laboratories
• Factories and plants
• Warehouses
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Chemical storage areas
• Petrol stations
• Workshops and garages
• Food processing plants
• Construction sites
• Marinas and ports
• Transport and logistics hubs
• Schools and universities (especially with labs)

Where to Purchase a Spill Kit for Your Premises?

We hope you have a clear understanding of what a spill kit is and how it can be used in different settings. Since it’s such an important item to have, it’s essential to keep one in any area where you store or use oil. If you’re unsure where to find one, look no further than OIL SPILL KIT − your trusted online shop for high-quality kits. Our inventory includes a variety of absorbent accessories, kits, and emergency tools designed to help you handle hazardous situations whenever chemicals spill on the surface.

For bulk orders for commercial and residential uses, you can contact us on our toll-free numbers 08452571377 / 01543324016 or write to [email protected].