Whatever industry you work in — from health to hairdressing — the safety of your staff, customers and work environment is crucial. There are certain non-negotiables you must have for a safe workplace, and one is a comprehensive spill kit that’s relevant, compliant and effective for your industry. So, what does a spill kit contain and what types of spill kits are available?
What’s a Spill Kit?
Basically, spill kits are ready-made packs of different equipment that can be used to absorb and contain hazardous spills. In any workplace, you could have a potentially dangerous spill. In some industries it’s more obvious, such as an oil spill in an automotive business, but what about chemicals in a school science lab or cleaning agents in a restaurant kitchen? There are many types of spill kits, so it’s important to consider what the potential hazards might be in your industry.
Do I Need to Have a Spill Kit?
Yes, you do. In Australia, under Work, Health and Safety regulations, if your workplace uses or stores dangerous materials you have to have a spill kit at hand for emergencies. Spill kits prevent environmental contamination, and keep people safe.
Different Types of Spill Kits
In 2018, the Australian Spill Control Industry Association (AusSpill) disseminated specific guidelines for Spill Response Kits in Australia. So, when purchasing a spill kit, ensure you’re purchasing it from a reputable company that complies with the AusSpill directives. Spill kits tend to be categorised in types of industry, such as:
- Oil and Fuel
- Lab and Medical
- Marine
To find out what specific spill kit you need, reputable companies such as Australia’s Spill Station, have a handy Spill Kit Selector, where you consider what type of hazardous liquids you might have in your business, and what types of surfaces they might contaminate. You can choose from kits for:
- Acids/Caustics
- Coolant
- Pesticides or Herbicides
- Fuel or Oil (on land or water)
Spill Kits: What’s Inside?
Generally, a spill kit is a ready-made pack containing the following items:
- Absorbent boom, used to surround and contain spills
- Absorbent materials to help stop spread
- Waste bags, ties, and protective, oil-resistant gloves
- Bins or containers for hazardous material
- Spill kit audit tags
- Clean up equipment: brooms, scoops etc.
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