Spill Kits

Why Should You Have a Spill Kit?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environment Canada* have a variety of Regulations that require facilities to be prepared for spills, leaks, and liquid release. Even though it is important to have these tools, neither requires facilities to have a spill kit.

Because needs differ, it is up to the facility to determine the best way to be prepared. If you or store fuels, oils, chemicals, hydraulic fluids, batteries, solvents and other similar liquids, you will require a Spill Kit to help percent spills polluting waterways and land that leads to waterways

What Type of Spill Kit Should You Select?

Knowing the type of liquid used in your facility will help you to select the right kit. Essentially, there are 3 types of liquids you may need to absorb:

Hydrocarbons (fuels, oils)
Universal (coolants, water-based, noncorrosive)
Aggressive Chemicals (corrosive liquids or liquids from an unknown origin)

Selecting the Size of a Spill Kit will depend on the size of the spill. A few things need to be considered when answering these questions:

Will one spill kit serve the whole facility, or will several spill response kits be placed in various spill-prone areas throughout the facility?
What is the worst-case (biggest spill scenario)?
What is the most likely spill scenario in various area of the facility?

How to Use Your Spill Kit

In the event of a spill, first, refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook for Spills. Right after, open the kit and put on your safety gloves and goggles. First, try to stop the spill if possible, upright the container or plug the hole. Use the socks to surround the release, then use the absorbent pads to soak up the spill. For larger spills use the absorbent pillows. Replace the pads and socks as they become saturated and put in the containment bag provided. When you are finished with the used gloves into the containment bag and zip tie it. Check with your local regional laws and regulations regarding disposal.

Where to Place a Spill Kit?

Like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and eyewash stations, spill kits should be placed in areas where they are likely to be needed. Kits can be located indoors or out. When kits will be stored outside, it is a good idea to shield them against ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can quickly degrade both absorbents and PPE.

Spill Kits Available at Safety Media

Portable

For smaller spill prevention and cleanup, portable spill kits are often small nylon bags that contain from 5-10 gallons of fluid.

Over-Pack

Drums are designed to be stationary. Ranging in size from 20gal to 55gal containers, these can soak up to 50 gallons of fluid.

Wheeled

A larger sized spill kit with wheels with a 95-gallon container. It can contain up to 90m gallons of a spill.

Training Needed to Use Spill Kits

If employees will respond to emergency spills, they need to be trained in accordance with OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency response, which defines an “emergency spill” as one that:

Includes high levels of exposure to toxic chemicals
Is life or injury threatening
Requires evacuation from the area for a safe response
Is a fire or explosion hazard
Presents and oxygen-deficient condition
Requires immediate attention because of danger

Employees should know how to use spill kits and supplies and be comfortable using them. Training employees to respond to incidental spills may be incorporated into training that establishes standard operating procedures for their jobs, or into other safety training such as hazard communication training.

Resources

OSHA https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9768&p_table=STANDARDS

Environment Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-emergencies-program/regulations/reporting-spill-release.html

For more helpful hints on the implementation of a spill control procedure check out our easy-to-use compliance checklist:

Prominently post-spill control procedures & maintain where flammable or combustible liquids are stored, handled, processed or used
Implementation of a preventive maintenance program with a chain of command, including notification of affected agencies and management,
Establish maintenance and operating procedures to prevent the escape of flammable and combustible liquids to areas where they could create a fire or explosion hazard.
Immediately remove spills of flammable or combustible liquid spills with an absorbent material (ie absorbent pads, sand, or cat litter) that will not increase the hazard. Dispose of these liquids and absorbent material in a safe manner.
Prevent spills of flammable or combustible liquids from flowing outside the spill area and from reaching waterways, sewer systems and potable water sources by

(a) constructing a non-combustible barrier capable of containing the spill, or

(b) grading the site or sloping the floor to divert the spill to a drainage system conforming,

Train new staff within three months of their being hired and for experienced staff every six months
Ensure your facility has adequate ventilation
Provide direction to control any possible ignition sources
Include personal protective clothing or equipment that should be used (such as protective eyewear, rubber gloves, rubber boots and self-contained breathing apparatus),
Ensure clarity of steps that incorporate the recovery of escaped liquid with the ability to remove or treat contaminated soil, surface water, groundwater or aquatic sediments.
Make sure spilt or leaked flammable or combustible liquids are

(a) flushed to a location where they will not create a fire or explosion hazard, or any risk to public health or safety, or

(b) neutralized or absorbed and cleaned up with the aid of a product that conforms to ULC/ORD-C410A, “Absorbents for Flammable and Combustible Liquids”, or is compatible and non-reactive with the liquid being cleaned up, and

(d) disposed of in a manner that does not create a fire or explosion hazard.

(e) Oil rage shall be temporarily disposed of in a non-combustible container with a lid.

Make use of the Environmental Protection Ac to ensure clean-up shall conform with Part X (Spills) of the

Safety Media not only offers a wide range of logbooks with helpful information but also provides training on various requirements outlined in both the national and provincial fire codes. If you require more information on our services provided please contact safety media at 1-800-420-9737 sales@safetymedia.com or visit our website for a full list of our products, including various spill control kits.