Does your work site need spill kits?
What are spill kits?
A spill kit is a collection of absorbents tools and equipment designed to respond to and contain, control and clean up spills effectively. These kits are essential for maintaining workplace safety, as they enable swift and efficient cleanup of spills, minimising risks to employees, the environment, and property. Spill kits typically contain items such as absorbent materials (such as pads, booms, and pillows), personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and goggles, disposal bags, and instructional guidelines for proper use.
Spill kits are often purpose built and colour-coded to identify the types of spills they are designed to clean up. They are available in various sizes and configurations to suit different industries and spill scenarios, ranging from small kits for laboratories or vehicles to large kits for industrial or mining facilities. Regular inspection, maintenance, and replenishment of spill kits are essential to ensure readiness and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Why are spill kits important for workplace safety?
Spill kits play a crucial role in workplace safety in Australia for several reasons:
-
Regulatory Compliance: Australian workplaces are subject to stringent regulations and standards governing the handling, storage, and cleanup of hazardous substances. Employers have a legal obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act) to assess and control risks associated with hazardous chemicals, including spills. Spill kits help organisations comply with these regulations by providing the necessary tools and materials for prompt spill response and cleanup.
-
Worker Safety: The health and safety of employees are top priorities in any workplace. Spills of hazardous substances pose immediate risks to worker health, including exposure to toxic chemicals, slips, and falls. Spill kits enable employees to respond quickly to spills, minimising the potential for accidents and injuries. By providing access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and containment materials, spill kits help protect workers from harm during cleanup operations.
-
Environmental Protection: Australia's diverse ecosystems and natural landscapes highlight the importance of environmental stewardship. Spills of hazardous substances can have devastating consequences for the environment, contaminating soil, waterways, and wildlife habitats. Spill kits are essential for containing spills and preventing pollutants from spreading further, mitigating the ecological impact and preserving the environment for future generations.
-
Emergency Preparedness: Spills can occur unexpectedly in any workplace, requiring immediate action to mitigate risks and prevent escalation. Spill kits ensure that employees are prepared to respond effectively to spill incidents, minimizing downtime and disruption to operations. By having readily accessible spill response equipment and trained personnel, organizations can enhance their emergency preparedness and resilience to unforeseen events.
What are the different types of spill kits?
Spill kits are generally split into different categories. These are typically general purpose, oil and fuel or chemical (hazchem). Spill kits also be colour coded to quickly identify the type of liquid they are designed to abosrb in an emergency. See below for a breakdown of what types of liquids each category of spill kits can absorb:
General Purpose: General purpose spill kits are designed to absorb all liquids. This includes but is not limited to water based liquid, oil and fuel, coolant, paint, body fluid, mild chemicals and solvents. These spill kits are suitable for a wide range of applications and will suit most workplaces.
Oil and fuel: Oil and fuel spill kits are designed to absorb hydrocarbons only such as oil, fuel and diesel. The absorbents in these spill kits differ as they will soak up the oil and fuel but will repel water, meaning they are hydrophobic. This makes them suitable for use in outdoor setting where it may be raining or cleaning up spills in a marine environment. The poly absorbents found in these spill kits will float on the surface of a body of water allowing clean up of oil on the surface.
Hazchem / chemical: Chemicals spill kits are designed to clean up harsh chemicals such as acid, alkalis, bases or strong chemicals. They may include granular absorbents which can nuetralise acids or alkalis and make it safer for them to be clean up. They often include a wider range of PPE to ensure worker safety around dangerous substances.
What sizes do spill kits come in?
Spill Kits are available in a wide range of sizes from smaller bag kits that are suitable for vehicles or trucks on mine sites or work yards through to 120l or 240l wheelie bins. When selecting a suitable size of spill kit it is important to assess the amount of liquids that are stored or handled on your worksite and assess the spill risks associated.
Titan Safety stock a wide range of spill kits to suit a wide varitey of applications. Not only are these made in Australia but they are kept in stock kept nationally. Sizes range from the small 25L capacity General purpose bag kit through to 202L capacity 240L wheelie bins.
Click here to view our entire range of Australian Made spill kits.