5 Things to Consider When Purchasing Spill Kits

1.      What type of spill kit will you need?

You may need different spill kits for different liquids: oil & fuel spill kits are only suitable for hydrocarbon based liquids (they will repel water and water based liquids), general purpose spill kits can be used for almost any liquid, and then chemical spill kits are excellent for harsh acids and caustics.

2.      What size spill kit you need?

This is a difficult question to answer, and really it comes down to your own risk assessment.  As a rule of thumb, it is wise to have enough capacity onsite to be able to respond quickly the largest spill you are likely to have.  If you handle a lot of 200 litre drums, it would be wise to have at least one 240 litre spill kit on hand; if you only handle smaller drums or packages, a 120 litre spill kit might be ample.

3.      How many spill kits do you require?

When purchasing spill kits for your site, it is important to consider how many kits will be required.  Make sure you have enough kits so you cover all the common areas for spills; you don't want to have to run and fetch a spill kit from another part of the site in the event of a spill!

4.      Where will the spill kits be stored?

If they are to be kept out in the open, you need to make sure your spill kit is in a watertight container (e.g. a wheelie bin).  For added protection from the elements, we recommend you also use a wheelie bin spill kit cover.  If the kits are to be kept in a vehicle, it is best to use a carry bag spill kit as they can easily be squashed into a small area.

5.      Will you need spill response training?

Having spill kits onsite helps with compliance, however if you and your staff aren't aware of how to use the spill kits in the event of an emergency, you can quickly run into trouble.  Even if you have a spill response procedure, without training the effectiveness of the clean up will be limited.  We offer are numerous courses, from a basic toolbox talk, to full day courses.

This blog post is intended as a guide only, and should not be relied upon as professional and/or legal advice.  Argyle Commercial will not be held liable for any damages or losses caused by using information provided in this post as a basis for any decision where any such damages or losses may result.

About Us:  Since 1997, Argyle Commercial has been a leading supplier of spill response equipment, storage solutions for hazardous liquids and engineered silt curtain solutions.  We help customers comply with environmental and OH&S regulations, while making work environments safer and more risk free.