Common Spill Kit Questions Answered | Spill Kits Australia
Spill kits exist to provide the right spill response equipment making clean-ups far more effective and less stressful. Spill kits are a cost and resource-effective tool for helping keep your staff, premises, and the environment safe. They also help ensure your workplace is compliant, reducing your risk of hefty penalties.
At Ecospill, we supply a large range of quality spill kits and other safety equipment to many industries across Australia. In this article, we shed some light on some frequently asked spill kit questions.
SPILL KIT OVERVIEW
Is your workplace exposed to hydrocarbons or other harmful chemicals? Then the dangers that an accidental spill may present are your responsibility. Hydrocarbons and other hazardous chemicals can release harmful pollutants into surrounding areas and result in extensive damage.
In the case of a workplace spill, fast and effective clean-up is essential. Spill kits help facilitate this.
Places in which the use of spill kits are common include, workshops, warehouses, transportation companies, laboratories, processing plants and manufacturers, the hospitality sector, marine industries, and other commercial establishments.
ANSWERS TO COMMON SPILL KIT QUESTIONS
To find out what PPE should be in spill kits, how to pack them, where to locate them and more… read on!
WHAT PPE SHOULD BE IN A SPILL KIT?
The type of personal protection equipment (PPE) in a spill kit will depend on the nature of the liquids your workplace handles. Different spill kits come with different PPE, depending on whether they’re fuel and oil, Hazchem or general-purpose kits.
PPE commonly found in spill kits include:
- Eye and face protection
- Gloves and booties
- Disposable lab coat or coveralls
- Respiratory protection
HOW SHOULD A SPILL KIT BE PACKED?
One of the common spill kit questions is about the order in which it’s packed. Spill kit accessories should be organised in the order that they will be needed, in the case of a spill. Below is a general guideline:
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
PPE should be the first thing seen when opening a spill kit. Not only does this make it easy to get to, but it reminds the responder to put it on before doing anything else.
CONTAINMENT EQUIPMENT
Once the responders have the appropriate PPE on, the spill needs containing. So, things like absorbent socks, containment booms and drain covers should be the next lot of equipment under PPE in your spill kit.
ABSORBENT EQUIPMENT
Absorbent mats and loose absorbents should come next in your spill kit. Once the spill has been contained, the next step is absorbing the spilt liquid.
DISPOSAL EQUIPMENT
Finally, disposal bags and any other equipment needed for safe disposal will be needed. So, this equipment should be at the bottom of your spill kit.
WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR A SPILL KIT?
The best location for a spill kit is where it is most likely to be needed and readily accessible. Consider the areas of your workplace in which a spill is likely to occur. Spill kits can be kept inside or outside. However, if they are kept outside, they need to be watertight and protected from UV radiation.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHECK YOUR SPILL KITS?
One of the spill kit questions we get asked a lot is how often spill kits should be inspected. Whilst there is no fixed answer, ideally, this should be done on a regular and ongoing basis. The kit’s stock levels should be checked as well as ensuring that all products are within their expiry date and equipment is in working order.
When you buy Ecospill spill kits, you receive exceptional service. We visit onsite to check and restock your spill kits to a customised schedule. So you can be assured your spill kit is always capable of handling a spill to its maximum response capacity!
DO STAFF NEED SPILL KIT TRAINING?
A key component to an effective spill response is knowing how to use the contents of a spill kit. Even the best safety equipment is useless if nobody knows what to do with it.
Operating procedures need to be established and safety training including the use of spill kits needs to be provided to staff.
Besides providing onsite spill kit maintenance for customers who buy our kits, we also provide onsite, certified spill kit training in spill response management.
GOT MORE SPILL KIT QUESTIONS?
If you have more spill kit questions or want to know more about effectively equipping your workplace, Ecospill can help you.
Ecospill is a leading supplier of spill kits and environmental safety products. We have built a reputation as experts in our field. We deliver advice, training, and quality products to help businesses like yours meet their environmental obligations.
Please feel free to contact our friendly team.