How to Customize Spill Kits for Oil, Chemical, and Universal Applications?

Types of Spill Kits: Oil Versus Chemical Versus Universal

The key to managing spills is being prepared and having the correct spill-containment tools. This is where spill kits enters the picture. That just said it all, but do you know not all spill kits are equal? There are three principal forms of spill kit namely oil spill kits, chemical spill kits, and universal spill kits. Depending on the type of spill some materials in a spill kit might not be effective at all. 

Oil spill kits are required for cleanup of oil or any petroleum-based products at a location. Such kits include absorbent material that soaks up oil, but not water. This Jiahe oil spill mat is perfect for using around oil spills, such as gas stations, or at an oils factory. 

Chemical spill kits

Chemical spill kits are made for cleaning chemical spills of hazardous chemicals. They have absorbent materials in them that are capable of neutralizing chemicals and keeping those chemicals safely contained so they will not contaminate the environment or people. Laboratories, factories and other facilities need chemical spill kits. 

Universal absorbent kits are for all types of spills from oil, chemicals, and liquids. In general these kits will include a range of absorbent products that are suitable for a variety of spills. A universal spill kit is perfect for everything and can be used anywhere, so if you are a business or industry that might face different types of spills than this is the ideal solution for you. 

Selecting Absorbent Materials for Your Spill Kit: What You Should Be Looking For? 

If you are making your own spill kit, make sure that the absorbent materials you choose meet your needs. You need to choose absorbents based on the type of spills you are most likely to have in your facility. Common Absorbent Materials Found in Spill Kits. 

Absorbent Pads: These are pads that can be used to absorb liquids. Such mats are good for small spills as they can easily put on the spillage and absorb it quickly. 

Absorbent socks: These are tubular socks containing absorbent substances. Ideal for holding and cleaning up larger spills, they can be deployed to surround the perimeter of a spill in order contain the spill from spreading. 

Absorbent pillows: Similar to smaller pads, these are larger pillows filled with an absorbent material. They are ideal to have on hand for quick drying and containment of spills in tight locations like under machinery or equipment. 

Loose absorbent: a granular material typically used to soak up spills. Clay absorbs it and spreads over the spill. 

Mix and match absorbent materials that work with the types of spills you are likely to experience when customizing your spill kit. That way, when spills happen you are ready to clean them up as fast and efficiently as possible. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Put in Spill Kit for Safety

You need absorbent materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) in your spill kit. PPE protects employees from actual contact with the material during spill cleanup. PPE items you should include in Spill kits: 

Gloves: Safety gloves to protect hands against direct contact of the dangerous chemicals. 

Goggles: Include safety goggles/a face shield to protect your eyes from both splash and fume. 

Coveralls — to wear over clothing to keep cuttings clean and prevent the wicking of spills. 

If you need to provide employees respiratory protection to prevent them breathing in fumes or hazardous vapours. 

Boots: Chemical-resistant boots shall be provided to protect feet from spills. 

Because if you have PPE packed into your spill response, your employees are safe while cleaning up the spill and they clean it up right to boot. 

Storing Spill Kits : How to Keep Them Use-Ready Fast? 

After assembling a spill kit with your ideal absorbent material and PPE, you'll need to know how you can store and maintain it. How to Store and Maintain Your Spill Kit? 

Keep the spill kit in a specific area and make sure it cannot be confused with other things. Definitely train staff on location and use of the spill kit. 

– Regularly inspect your spill kit to ensure all absorbents and PPE are in good condition, and not expired. Dispose of all items that are not salvageable or have expired. 

Ensure employees are trained to use the spill kit correctly and understand what is included in terms of materials, equipment. Have an employee mock use a Jiahe oil and fuel spill kits during a spill scenario to ensure the employees are ready to respond and can act quickly and efficiently on if necessary. 

Doing basic storage and upkeep with your spill kit will keep it ready for rapid retrieval when a spill strikes. 

Employee Spill Kit Use and Response Training

Lastly, make sure staff are trained to use products included in your spill kit and understand what is expected when responding. Through appropriate training, you can make sure that your employees know how to act in case of a spill instantaneously and appropriately. Contents to include in your training: 

Get your workforce up to speed with the different types of spills that can happen in your facility and what the response should be, for each type of spill. 

How to use the absorbent materials and PPE supplied in the spill kit? Ensure that your team members know how to properly don and doff PPE without contaminating themselves. 

Exercise your spill kit in a spill drill, so that your employees are comfortable handling it and responding to spills. 

Training employees in spill kit usage and response procedures helps to ensure your facility is equipped for prompt, proper spill control, thereby guarding against environmental issues as well is employee health and safety. 

Ultimately, businesses that are concerned with spill readiness need to customize their oil-specific, chemical-specific, and universal spill kits. By learning what makes these types of spill kits unique, the absorbents and PPE that should be used in them, how to store and maintain the spill kit, and training employees on when they can use the spill kit practices for responding to spills, businesses can ensure that are equipped to respond promptly and effectively in the event of any spills. While proper tools, training and spills can be cleaned up in an expedited manner so that employees are not exposes to hazardous materials. Businesses can create post-COVID-19 spill kits fitted to their requirements with the help of Jiahe. With this spill kit by your side, you are storm-proof against virtually every type of spill out there.