5 Things to Consider when Purchasing Spill Kits

Posted by iQ Safety on August 28th, 2019

Every business owner knows how important it is to keep their workplace safe, but not everyone understands just exactly how to go about it. Thankfully, there is one simple solution – designed to combat spills, leaks and drips, a spill kit can be quickly and easily deployed in the case of an emergency, greatly reducing the impacts of the leak before any damage can be done to your workspace, employees or immediate environment.

But how do you know which kit to choose for your business? In this guide, we take a look at the things you need to consider before making your purchase.

1. What liquids will you likely need to absorb?
This is perhaps the most important question that you can ask yourself, as different liquids respond very differently to different absorption methods – what works for one spill may not necessarily work for another! In general, spill kits come in three varieties:

• Universal: The ideal choice for most spills, this kit can be used successfully for oils, coolants and other non-corrosive water-based liquids.
• Oil: Designed specifically for oil-based spills, this kit can be used to absorb oil from the top of water, or for controlling oil-based liquids in the rain.
• Chemical: If you’re faced with a chemical spill, corrosive substance or unknown liquid, then chemical spill kit is the best option.

2. Worst-case scenario – how big will the spill be?
Though most spills might be easily wiped up with a single paper towel, this won’t be sufficient in the face of your worst-case scenario – which is why being prepared is critical. Assuming the worst-case spill is the entire contents of your drum (generally 100 to 200 litres), choose a spill kit that is capable of managing an incident of that size. You may also choose to use your kit in conjuncture with a drain cover or bund to redirect the spill, before cleaning up the remained with your kit.

3. Where is the likely accident site?
The location of the site will also play a role in the spill kit that you choose. Many businesses choose to place a kit in every possible spill location – to cover all their bases, so to speak – whilst others invest in one or two kits that can easily be transported. If you’re transporting your kit, you need to take into account the ease of movability; small sizes come with handy carry handles, whilst the largest options may need a forklift to move! Think about the capabilities of your employees, as there is nothing worse than a kit that can’t be accessed.

4. Will you also need PPE?
The majority of spill kits do not come with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as standard, as there is no universal size suit or gloves etc. on the market, and trying to force on ill-fitting gear when stressed will only exacerbate the situation. However, there is room for the addition of PPE, so if this is something your business requires, then you can easily purchase multiple sizes and equipment individually.

5. Do you already have a container or cabinet to store your kit?
If you’ve previously invested in a spill kit, then you may find that you don’t need to buy a completely new kit. If this sounds like you, you’ll be happy to know that each component is available for individual purchase.

As you can see, there are a number of things that you should consider before purchasing spill kits – and by sitting down and taking the time to think about the unique requirements of your business and capabilities of your employees, you can be confident you’re making the right choice. Once you’ve dot-pointed what you’re looking for, you will easily be able to find a kit that meets those needs. If you aren’t feeling confident prior to making an investment, take your dot-pointed list to a reputable spill management supplier; their experience and knowledge will mean you will quickly be presented with a solution.