What Is a Spill Kit and Why Do You Need One?

If your workplace uses or stores any types of liquids or chemicals, chances are you’ve heard of a spill kit. If you’ve ever found yourself asking “What exactly is a spill kit?” and “Why do I need one?”, we’ll aim to answer those questions in this blog.

So What Exactly is a Spill Kit?

Operating a business is not easy. Some things cannot be controlled, and accidents will happen. All spills, whether in the workplace or in a public domain, are a hazardous risk that can lead to injuries and liability claims. Spill kits are an affordable way to ensure that you are meeting your WH&S obligations.

A spill kit or spill response kit is a handy, mobile, and easy-to-use set of equipment used to safely and responsibly contain, decontaminate, clean up and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous spills such as oils or chemicals. Spill kits are a crucial safety measure for businesses across various industries and environments where spills can occur, including laboratories, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and transportation.

Spill kits come in a variety of different types and sizes for a diverse range of applications. The number of spill kits you require will depend on the types of liquids you have at your workplace, the locations where these liquids are used and stored, and the largest likely spill quantity in each of these locations.

Don’t forget that vehicles and machinery, like forklifts and generators, also contain oils and fuels that may require a spill kit. Responsible large transport companies and waste companies will all carry a spill kit in every vehicle.

The size and quantity of the spill kit you need should be:

  1. At least equal to your largest container on-site; or
  2. 25% of the total volume you would move on a pallet. For example, say you are moving a pallet containing 24 x 20L drums (480L); you would require a 120L spill kit on-site.

Selecting the right type of spill kit for you will come down to the type of liquids or chemicals carried by your workplace. Spill kits are often referred to by an array of different names, but there are essentially three main types of spill kits. They are General Purpose Spill Kits, Oil & Fuel Spill Kits, and Chemical Spill Kits.

What’s Inside a Spill Kit?

The contents of a spill kit can vary slightly, however, a spill kit will generally contain everything you need for you or your team to properly carry out an emergency spill clean-up.

  • Absorbent booms, also referred to as absorbent socks (for perimeter containment – i.e. to place around the spill to prevent it from spreading or flowing into drains)
  • Absorbent pads (for the absorption of the spill)
  • Absorbent pillows (for large volume spills and constant leaks)
  • Hazardous waste bags & ties (for safe and responsible disposal of used absorbents and PPE after the spill has been contained and cleaned up)
  • PPE (such as goggles and gloves)
  • Instructions and a quick user guide (try to familiarise yourself with the contents of your spill kit and how to properly use the different components before any spill emergencies)

It’s also important to note that you can obtain a ready-made spill kit or create your own spill kit by selecting your own combination of absorbents and PPE which is tailored to the specific needs of your business.

So why do I Need a Spill Kit?

Regardless of the size of a spill, big or small, spills at the workplace can pose several serious risks including:

  • Injuries to people: slips and falls, eye irritation, burns, poisoning, and respiratory damage. The safety of your team should be of the highest priority. Having a spill kit on hand and readily accessible will allow for prompt and efficient response to spills in the workplace. 
  • Damage to property, equipment, and vehicles: fire damage and corrosion of materials, and damage to inventory. A spill can quickly turn into a very expensive accident if you don’t have a spill kit on hand to contain the spill, and it spreads to your property, equipment, vehicles, and inventory.
  • Environmental harm: soil and water contamination, ultimately causing harm to natural habitats and wildlife. Spills can have detrimental effects on the environment, and in particular, if the spilled substance finds its way into waterways or sensitive ecosystems. A spill kit will help contain and minimise the spread of the spill, reducing environmental impact.

REMEMBER: Certain chemicals, even with minimal exposure, can cause severe burns and asphyxiation.

In addition to the risks mentioned above, spill control management is also a compliance issue. Most industries have strict guidelines and procedures that need to be met to address spills in the workplace. There are regulatory bodies that can impose significant fines for non-compliance.

In accordance with Australian Standards, it is now a mandatory requirement for sites handling Class 3 flammable liquids to have a spill response kit. The kit should include “some or all of absorbent pads, booms, loose absorbent and contaminated waste bags that are packed in a readily identifiable reusable weather-resistant container.

Time to Get Protected!

We hope we’ve managed to answer some of your questions in relation to spill kits and spill management.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your team is always prepared for an emergency spill response – provide them with the correct equipment, an emergency spill response procedure, and up-to-date training.

Primarily, the purpose of a spill kit is to reduce health and safety risks to the important people around you, as well as minimising any harmful effects on our environment. Having a suitable emergency spill kit on hand means all spills, whether hazardous or non-hazardous, can be contained, cleaned, and disposed of safely, responsibly and in a timely manner. Time is crucial when dealing with spills in the workplace. Having a spill kit on hand allows for quick response time, preventing the spill from spreading and minimising any impact on your operations. This can help reduce downtime and associated costs.