Chemicals and Solvents

Spills at work can cause an environmental hazard, a health hazard, and a safety hazard. Spills like these can happen no matter the industry. That’s why it’s important to have emergency chemical spill kits on hand so that these spills can be handled safely and effectively. Spill kits can prevent falls and limit the exposure to hazardous chemicals.

What is a Spill Kit?

A spill kit is a collection of items stored all together that is designed as a quick response to spills. These kits contain items that will clean up a variety of spills such as oil, chemicals, body fluids, and other liquid. These kits are meant to be stored in easily accessible areas and contain everything needed to clean up a spill so that all supplies are convenient and in one place.

What Should Be Included in a Spill Kit?

An efficient spill kit contains not only supplies for cleaning up a spill but also personal protective equipment for keeping the one cleaning safe.

Spill kits should include the following items:

Portable bin. A bin with wheels or one that is easy to relocate closer to the spill is essential for a quick and easy response.

Absorbent socks. Absorbent socks are good for everyday leaks and spills. They are ideal for hugging corners, absorbing leaks from machinery, and containing puddles. They absorb common liquid found in industries such as solvents, water, oil, and coolants. Absorbent socks make clean-up quick and easy.

Absorbent cushions. The absorbent cushion has a large surface area to quickly soak up puddles and to catch leaks in hard to reach areas like under machinery, leaky hoses, and in corners. They absorb oil, water, coolants, solvents, and chemicals.

Absorbent pads. Absorbent pads absorb and clean up paint, oil, solvent, grease, and coolant spills. These pre-cut pads are great to use under equipment, on workbenches, counters, and walkways. Their size and shape make them easy to grab.

Disposable bags and ties. Disposable bags and ties are used for the safe disposal of used sorbents and any other material used for cleaning up spills. These plastic bags are made out of polypropylene and include ties for sealing off the bags for safe disposal.

Personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment that can be found in a variety of spill kits include goggles, safety glasses, face shields, gloves, booties, disposable lab coats or coveralls, and respiratory protection.

What is Considered a Hazardous Chemical Spill?

Hazardous chemical spills are any spills that include any chemical, biological, or radiological material that poses any risk to the environment or to human beings if not promptly and properly intercepted. The general hazardous chemical spill response includes evacuating the spill area, confining the spill, reporting the spill, securing the area, and implementing the correct cleanup procedures.

What Chemicals Need a Special Spill Kit?

Universal spill kits handle a wide range of cleanups, however, there are times when a universal spill kit is not enough. Special spill kits are sometimes needed for certain chemicals.

For instance, if you have any large batteries in any of your equipment in your work environment, you will need a battery acid spill kit for managing dangerous corrosive acid spills or leaks. This kit will include polymer to neutralize the acid and specialized scoops.

If there is a risk to the exposure of mercury in your work area, then you will need a mercury spill kit. Breathing in these vapors can be deadly. This kit will also include chemical sponges, amalgamation powder, indicator powder, vapor suppressor bottles, and aspirator bottles.

Manufacturing environments should have a biohazard spill kit on hand. This will cover injuries involving bodily fluids and bloodborne pathogens. This kit should include neoprene gloves with long sleeves, biohazard sorbents, sanitizing surface wipes, and sanitizing hand wipes.

Do Spill Kits Expire?

Spill kits themselves don’t expire but some of their components do. In general, absorbents have a shelf life of around 5 years. Since this is an estimate, you can look for white flakes or powders on the absorbents. If you see any of the above, then you need to throw the absorbent out. If you shake any of your pillows, socks, or mats and they fall apart or tear, then it’s time to replace them.

Lab Pro offers a large variety of spill kits. For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality spill kits, hand tools, chemicals, lab equipment, distance learning kits, lab supplies, and cleanroom PPE apparel to medical device companies and laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.