The Three Advantages Of Spill Kits In The Workplace

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Home Page > Business > The Three Advantages Of Spill Kits In The Workplace

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The Three Advantages Of Spill Kits In The Workplace

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Posted: Jun 04, 2009 |Comments: 0
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Spill kits are essential items to have easily to hand, and are available in a wide variety of types and for a range of purposes. It’s easy to think that mopping up a spillage will be easy enough to do, and having an almost limitless stock of paper towels is frequently the tactic used by many businesses and industries. Even at home, where many spillages may occur, the solution is frequently little more than a hastily managed heap of paper towels. But when it comes to more difficult, or even dangerous spillages, a specialised spill kit is more usually required, such as chemical spill kits of a specialist oil spill kit.

Liquids and fluids have a variety of attributes and natures, behaving in odd ways. Why does oil, for example, stain so badly when water merely evaporates? And why does blood stain so easily whereas a cola drink washes out easily? What about bleaches, cleaning agents and the many other chemicals and liquids which are likely to be stored around the house, within an office environment or in most business or retail stores?

The fact is that one size does not suit all – quite literally, since sometimes a spillage may occur which needs only a very small solution, whereas others may require far more mopping up capacity than your stock of paper towels can hope to achieve. When it comes to an oil spill, paper towels are of very little use, soaking up a relatively small amount of the liquid. Once sodden, they only add to the problem, becoming slippery and falling apart, dissolving into fragmented pieces which mix with the oil creating an even more widespread film of lubrication ready to cause an injury.

Of course, bodily fluids such as blood require an entirely different solution again – scrubbing with your bare hands using a paper towel or sponge is of no use, since the risk of infection is very much more severe. In this case you require hand protection as well as a spillage mat or cleaning agent which will lift the liquid rapidly, and help prevent any seepage or staining. In this case, as in most, a rapid response is just as necessary as a suitable one – although all too often people choose speed over suitability.

This is the advantage of having a suitable spill kit, since these will provide the tools and equipment best suited to the type of spillage most likely to occur. Having these located in conveniently accessible storage facilities close to the riskier areas will also help save time, and reduce the time it takes to decide what equipment will best to reduce the risk and deal with the problem. If you have identified a potential hazard where chemicals are used, then a chemical spill kit situated close by will help to reduce the potential damage and inconvenience which may be caused by such a spillage, and reduce the potential risk. Chemical spill kits include a variety of tools, such as absorbent booms, absorbent mats and spill mats as well as appropriate hand protection.

But dealing with an oil spill is quite another story, and if oil in one form or another is used within your business, industry or home, then an oil spill kit will help to reduce the potential risk and damage caused should an oil spillage occur. Oil flows relatively slowly compared to water, but acts as a dangerous lubricant, as well as having a more adhesive quality which causes it to be harder to lift. It also has the potential to reduce the strength and absorbency of paper towels, and so oil spill kits include absorbent booms and mats which are filled with chemicals and powders designed to absorb huge quantities of oil very quickly.

By identifying the potential risks in your workplace, and by purchasing a suitable spill kit, locating it close by the hazardous areas so that it can be used in an emergency could save a great deal of time, trouble and money. Spillages create hazards, and hazards lead to delays at best, and injuries at worse. Whether it’s a delay or an injury you’re facing, either could cost you a great deal of money, and it is a legal obligation for employees to safeguard against any potential injury by having the most suitable equipment to hand.

Whether it’s a potential oil spill, chemical spill or some other liquid which you feel could easily be evident, making sure you have the appropriate spill kit, or several types of spill kits, will help protect your business, your employees and your visitors.

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Leonard Peacham -
About the Author:

Leonard Peacham is a leading expert in health and safety in the workplace and advises on spill kits and the correct use of chemical spill kits in industry.

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Article Tags:
oil spill, spill kit, spill kits, chemical spill, oil spill kit, oil spill kits, chemical spill kit, chemical spill kits