Top 5 mistakes businesses make with Spill Response
When it comes to managing hazardous spills in the workplace, even well-meaning businesses can get it wrong at times. With the right preparation, up-to-date equipment, and well-trained staff, any type of spill can be managed safely and effectively. Strong spill control practices create safer workplaces, protect your staff, strengthen your reputation, and safeguard the environment.
Here are the five most common mistakes businesses make with spill response, and how to avoid them with proper training, planning, and products that are fit-for-purpose.
1. Using the wrong type of absorbent
Not all spills are the same, and neither are absorbents. One of the most common (and dangerous) mistakes businesses make is using the wrong type of absorbent for the material spilled. For example:
- Oil absorbents aren’t suitable for chemical spills
- General-purpose absorbents can be less effective against corrosive substances
- Using rags or untested materials can spread contamination further
Your emergency spill kit should be appropriately stocked to suit the types of liquid your business handles. From fuel to acids, Ecospill ensures your spill response products match your real-world risks.
> Click here to find the most suitable spill kit for your business, or contact us for support.
2. Failing to provide proper Spill Kit Training
The most effective equipment is only as strong as the people using it. When staff are trained and confident, they can respond to spills quickly and calmly, protecting both their own safety and the workplace around them.
Ongoing spill response training not only helps meet compliance requirements, it also supports a safer, more capable team that can respond appropriately when it matters the most.
At Ecospill, our expert-led, hands-on training sessions give employees practical experience so they can act decisively in real-world scenarios. Additionally, regular refresher sessions will help keep skills sharp, ensuring your employees are safe, and your workplace remains compliant and operational with minimal disruption.
3. Forgetting to check your Spill Kits
A common oversight is simply forgetting to check emergency spill kits. Over time, items can be used up, misplaced, or even expire. If a spill happens and your kit is empty or incomplete, your business and staff are at serious risk of non-compliance and harm.
Every business should have a clear spill kit maintenance plan. This can include monthly inspections, safe disposal of expired items, replenishing the emergency spill kit after every use, and scheduling refills from a reliable supplier.
We understand that your team has plenty to manage, and spill kit checks can sometimes slip through the cracks. Ecospill provides scheduled inspections and replenishment making kit maintenance regular and efficient. This way, your staff can focus on their work, while knowing that spill kits will always be ready when they’re needed most.
> Contact our team to discuss a maintenance schedule to best suit your workplace and team.
4. Using a generic one-size-fits-all Spill Kit
Every industry faces its own unique risks when it comes to spills. The hazards on a mining site are very different from those in healthcare or logistics, and a generic spill kit simply cannot cover every scenario. Relying on a one-size-fits-all solution can create unnecessary risks and expose your business to compliance issues.
It’s important to ensure your spill control equipment is appropriate for the realities of your workplace. This may include chemical specific absorbents, durable containment bunding, compatible PPE and disposal bags, or stormwater protection systems.
Work with a provider who understands the demands of different industries and will provide customised spill control equipment, training and advice to meet them.
Ecospill provides emergency spill kits and supporting products designed for all industries including agriculture, transport, manufacturing, mining and heavy industry.
5. Ignoring spill response as a WHS responsibility
Some businesses still treat spill response as a convenience rather than a core Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) obligation. It might seem obvious, but it’s important to stress that spill response is a fundamental duty and not an optional extra.
WHS regulations require that businesses:
- Prevent hazardous material exposure
- Provide appropriate emergency equipment
- Ensure staff are trained in emergency procedures
- Implement bunding and spill containment measures
- Maintain up-to-date safety documentation
Ecospill helps businesses across Australia meet their WHS responsibilities with compliance solutions that include spill kit training, compliance audits, training and ongoing support.
Practical steps you can take now.
Avoiding these common mistakes starts with awareness and action. Here’s what you can do right now to resolve these common mistakes:
- Schedule a spill control audit to identify any risks in your workplace.
- Book spill response training for all staff handling hazardous materials.
- Review your spill kits and replenish missing or expired items
- Upgrade to custom spill kits suited to your workplace environment
- Invest in bunding and stormwater control systems for extra protection
Our technicians can help your business with each of these steps, get in touch with us to get started.
About Ecospill
At Ecospill, we provide products, training, support, and compliance services to help you avoid costly mistakes and meet all relevant standards. Unfortunately, we’ve seen firsthand how unprepared businesses struggle with spill incidents.
Our services and products include:
- Emergency spill kit supply and servicing
- Absorbents and bunding
- Spill kit and chemical spill training
- Eyewash stations
- Stormwater control solutions
- Customised services for all industries