What are Spill Kits?

For my next safety blog to start the new year I will talk about needing and then making a spill kit.

I have been asked many times by contractors, “Do I really need a spill kit? I one word, Yes. OSHA requries you as a contractor working out in the public to be responsible for the health and safety of your employees and the public at large while you are working while you are handling and working with hazardous materials. And unless you know for sure and can prove that non of the products you use to clean with are hazardous then I would plan on carrying a spill kit when ever you are transporting and using chemicals.

To know what type and how large of a kit you will need you will first have to know what chemicals you are carrying at any given time, how these chemicals may react under multiple conditions and with each other if a spill was to occur.

According to OSHA; “A spill kit is a collection of items to be used in the immediate response and clean-up of spills, leaks or other discharges of hazardous wastes or other hazardous materials” (chemicals, gas, etc.). “Spill kits should be maintained in close proximity to areas where chemicals are managed or stored to enable prompt response to and clean-up of spills.”

Spill kits will come in various sizes and types and a few are those that can handle anything. To know what you will need you first need to check your SDS’s for all of the chemicals you use. Then from this information that will determain what kits you will need.

Here are the different types of kits:

Universal or General – These handle most non hazardous, non acid spills and as long as the kit is made to handle the volume of the spill, this in the type everyone needs to carry with any vehicle that transports chemicals. Even if non hazardous it is a good idea to be able to handle a spill on your own.

Oil-Only – Contains absorbent materials made for oils, not water. (photo)

HazMat – These contain specialized PPE, absorption materials and removal devices above what a general kit would contain.

Acid –  Is a type of HazMat kit. These contain specialized PPE, neutralization and adsorption materials in addition to specialized removal containers. Note: Some acid kits are not made to handle hydrofluoric acid so make sure of the neutralizer you get. I recommend Spill-X-A or Calgonate.

OSHA guidelines lists the equipment types that must be in a spill kit: Proper PPE, materials to contain the spill and the materials needed to clean up and remove the spill.

Here is what normally needs to be in any spill kit:

Labeling on outside of the kit container, stating what type of spill kit it is, it may also state the size spill it covers but is not required.

A warning measure, to keep others away from the spill until removed, examples are;

A-frame floor sign

Roll of caution tape

Hazard cones

PPE, personal protection equipment to use while removing the spill;

Gloves – hand protection – minimum

Eye wear – eye protection – minimum

Mask – lung protection if needed

Shoe covers – foot protection if needed

Can include more when needed for type of spill example; a full face respirator.

Physical barriers to place around the spill used to contain which may not absorb the spill;

Berm, bumper, sock

Drain covers or plugs, to keep spill out of drains and pipes.

Absorption materials;

Sand, clay, pads, or other materials to soak up the spill

Removal Items; Broom and pan or shovel, to collect loose soiled material for removal

Removal containers;

Bags, or another container that can be sealed to remove spill waste.

The size of the kit can vary as well. Always try to have and use a kit made to handle more chemicals than you have spilled, but if you can not, try to limit or contain the spill with the materials you do have on hand. For instance, if the only thing you can do is lessen the impact of a spill by blocking a storm drain, stopping it from traveling downhill or out into a street, do that until additional help arrives, like the fire department. Additional spill kits or other materials can be brought to the contained spill for removal as soon as possible by the first responders.

There is one big point to this post you do not have to buy a pre-made kit and there is no such thing as OSHA approved so do not fall for that sales trick. OSHA does not certify any specific brand of kits. But a kit may say it conforms to OSHA requirements or be called an OSHA spill kit. But you can make one yourself sometimes at a much lower cost. That I will cover in next week’s post.