Proper Use of Spill Kits
8/30/2021
One of the requirements for field work is spill control. Spill control is designed to….well, control spills! And depending on the type and amounts of materials anticipated at a work site, specific materials and equipment need to be available in the event of an unwanted or unplanned release. In addition, it is important that spill kits are checked on a regular basis to ensure proper supplies are available and field personnel remember the location of the spill kit; thus, allowing an immediate and effective response in the event of a material spill.
The fact is, a material release (i.e. spill) can quickly go from inconvenient to dangerous. Field crews need to be ready to respond no matter when, where, or how they happen. And that’s where spill kits come in.
Purchasing a “general” spill kit may not be adequate, as depending on the types and amounts of materials stored onsite, your spill kit may require some specific components to ensure a chemical spill can be effectively.
The first thing you need to know is what kind of spill containment kits are right for you.
- General Purpose — General-purpose spill kits are important to have around for water-based liquids and hydrocarbons. These kits use gray absorbents.
- Oil Only — Oil spill kits are specifically designed for the cleanup of hydrocarbons like gasoline and oil. They contain white absorbents that float on water to make cleanup more efficient and effective.
- Hazmat — If you work with highly corrosive acids and guarantee, hazardous material kits are for you. These absorbents are yellow and will easily absorb your hazardous liquids.
No matter what kinds of materials you anticipate using and storing at your site, there are certain items every kit needs to have. These include:
- absorbents such as pads, socks, and pillows;
- protective gear for your workers, such as safety goggles and gloves;
- disposable bags with ties to handle soiled absorbents; and
- a clearly marked container to store your unused spill kit contents.
First and foremost – you must make sure you’re prepared for spills before they happen. You can reduce the risk of damage and injury by having spill kits handy. And, you also need to have a plan in place where field personnel are properly trained to use the project-specific spill supplies.
To prepare, make sure you inventory all the liquids on your site. Know what they are, where they are, and their volumes. Next, identify which areas are at high risk for spills and take note of the worst-case-scenario volume of liquid that you may have to deal with at each location. Then, ensure that your spill kit is well-suited for the types and volumes of liquids AND that they are accessible.
Okay, you have spill kits. But having them isn’t enough — Now, what do we do when a sill occurs?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that Safety Data Sheets or SDSs are maintained in the workplace for each material/chemical purchased. These documents provide such pertinent information as first aid and fire-fighting measures, accidental release measures, as well as handling and storage and exposure control and personal protection instructions. It is important that SDSs are checked regularly to ensure they are up to date (as manufacturers and components change) and readily available to assist during an incident, thus ensuring field personal can be proactive.
An essential part of spill preparation is ensuring that all field team members have proper spill kit training. This requires that each site conduct regular training on spill-control best practices, safety tips, and the use of spill kits and have “spill drills” in which your staff responds to mock spills; drills are great ways to test your preparedness, find weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement.
Typical items considered essential should be stored in a container and typically are included as a 30-gallon spill kit. Here’s a quick overview of how to use each of them:
- Pads — Absorbent pads should be placed directly on spills to absorb liquids quickly.
- Socks — Use absorbent socks to circle spills to contain liquids and prevent further spread. Make sure to overlap the ends of socks to create leak-proof barriers.
- Pillows — Like pads, absorbent pillows should be placed directly on top of spills. Pillows will absorb a higher volume of liquid than pads.
- Goggles — Goggles should be worn when cleaning up spills to protect the eyes from hazardous liquids, which may splash during cleanup.
- Gloves — During spill cleanup, nitrile gloves will protect hands from hazardous materials.
- Bags with ties — These disposable bags tie closed for easy disposal of used absorbent materials.
- Instruction sheet — Each spill kit includes an instruction sheet to answer any additional questions users may have.
Of course, you can build your own kit using a clean, empty drum while adding your own supplies (absorbent materials, disposal bags, etc.).
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