If your workplace uses hydrocarbons or hazardous chemicals, it needs a spill kit. This is due to the fact that it is a legal requirement for all workplaces in Australia to keep their workers, facilities and the environment as safe as possible.
If a spill occurs in your workplace, and this spill is of a hazardous chemical, it can be harmful to workers, facilities and the environment. This is why it’s vital to have a strategy in place. This strategy often includes spill kits.
What Exactly is a Spill Kit?
A spill kit is a well-designed collection of equipment made to clean up various hazardous substances. Its purpose is to give you and your workers the ability to clean the spill quickly and safely. Spill kits are often used for a wide variety of spills, and they come in many forms. They can be found in bags or wheelie bins and typically contain the following:
- PPE (personal protective equipment).
- Absorbents for soaking up the spill.
- Waste disposal bags.
- Containment booms for preventing the spill from spreading.
- Dispersants, but this is not in all spill kits.
When you consider the contents of a spill kit, it’s designed to contain spills as fast as possible, and with as little harm to your workers as possible.
How Do People Use Spill Kits?
To correctly use spill kits, your team will need training. This includes training in using, restocking, and disposing of spill kits. Most workplaces conduct a risk assessment in order to decide if they need a spill kit, and how many they may need.
Some common hazards that a spill kit can work with include these:
- Oils & Fuels
- Cooking Oil
- Sewage
- Petroleum
- Solvents
- Protein fluids
In general, if you work with dangerous substances, you’ll likely need safety equipment of some kind, and if this is a liquid, you’ll likely need to work with spill kits.
What Industries Use a Spill Kit?
Spill kits are far more common than you think,, many industries and workplaces across Australia regularly stock spill kits.
This includes:
- Hospitals & laboratories
- Docks & marinas
- City councils and public spaces
- Oil, gas and mining industries
- Warehouses and workshops
- Auto repair and maintenance shops
- Commercial kitchens and restaurants
- The defence industry
- Shipping & transport companies
Types of Spill Kits
Not all spill kits are made for all spills. Often you need to choose the right spill kit for the type of spill your workplace is likely to witness.
Here are some common types found on the market:
General purpose: this is almost a universal spill kit that contains non-hazardous substances, the materials in this kit help to absorb things like coolants, antifreeze, water and solvents.
Chemical spill kits: for hazardous and often corrosive chemicals that can be inhaled or cause burns.
Marine spill kits: these are designed to help with oils and spills, whether they happen on land or water.
Oil or fuel spill kits: these are suitable for dealing with hydrocarbons, and are used most often in manufacturing plants, automotive spaces and the like.
One Last Word
If you think your workplace may need a spill kit, you need to make sure you partner with a great Australian distributor such as Spill Station. They offer a wide variety of general, oil and chemical spill kits in Australia as well as the resources to maintain and assess where these spill kits are required.
This makes them the best choice for Australian companies who want to not just remain compliant and safe, but do it in a way that’s affordable and sustainable in the long term.