Have you prepared spill control for your workplace?
Many industries and workplaces use hazardous chemicals, generate waste, or work with other materials that carry the risk of being spilled. These spills can be harmful in an array of ways, from posing a threat to humans and the environment (e.g. chemicals or acids) to a biohazard (e.g. blood or cytotoxic drugs) to the threat of slip and fall in the workplace (e.g. oil in a commercial kitchen). Sometimes the spill risk may come from outside (e.g. a customer spills a drink in your store).
You need to develop, implement, and maintain adequate risk mitigation policies and practices and spill management procedures to ensure that, in the event of an accidental spill, it is safely and promptly cleaned up. This is termed spill control.
What is Spill Control?
No matter the type of work environment, every workplace can experience an accidental spill – from a factory to a warehouse, a classroom to an office, or even a store. Every workplace should be prepared with at least a general/universal spill kit.
Spill control kits are an effective tool for containing and removing accidental spills in the workplace. A spill control kit consists of PPE (personal protective equipment), absorbents, and disposal bags.
The most widespread is the General spill kit meant for containing non-hazardous liquids types. It is suitable for smaller and less environmentally harmful types of spills. They are used to absorb paints, coolants, fluids, solvents, degreasers, blood, and less damaging chemicals.
Additionally, a general spill kit provides clean up protection for many vehicles and workshop applications as well as hospitals, laundries or commercial kitchens. They always contain PPE (gloves, shoe covers, goggles, clothing protectors, and potentially masks), a secured bucket, and absorbent pads.
Storing a general spill kit close to potential spill sources is one way of having a proactive approach to hazardous spills.
Why is Spill Control so Important?
Spill control is critical to the safety of your employees, contractors, and customers, as well as potentially your surrounding environment. It is also essential for the ongoing viability of your business.
Australian legislation, Codes of Practice, and Australian Standards stipulate that any business that conducts any activity carrying the risk of a spill must implement appropriate spill control, including spill response equipment. Steps must be in place to mitigate the risks of a spill occurring and to address it promptly should it accidentally occur. This is to prevent harm to humans as well as the environment.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) enforces Spill Control as Risk Minimisation. Inadequate spill control management policy and practice in your workplace are an offense and may elicit hefty EPA fines. To avoid incurring these, you need to have adequate and appropriate measures in place, including the correct spill control kits for your needs. These may be specific to chemical spill control, oil spills, or general spills.
Who Needs Spill Control Kits?
Southland Supply Group for all Your Spill Control Needs
Southland Supply Group has everything you need to get back to normal operations quickly after an accidental spill on your site or in your workplace.
We are an Australian, Blue Mountains-based online store providing an outstanding range of site safety products, including spill kits and related products.
Protect yourself, your business, your employees, your customers, and the environment with the right spill control products for your needs. Contact us to place an order or to discover more on 1800 772 291 or email webstore@southland.com.au