What Is A Chemical Spill Kit Used For?

CONTENTS

• What is an emergency spill kit?
• Where should a spill kit be stored?
• What is included in a spill kit?
• When would a spill kit be used?
• Dangers of chemical spills
• Employing a specialist cleaning company
  • ​Related services we offer
• Call us today

It is essential you are prepared in the event of a chemical spill in your workplace. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), this plan can include having an emergency evacuation procedure, fire fighting measures, and a plan for removing the substance from the site.

Chemical spills can cause disastrous consequences for the surrounding area, as detailed by the Environment Protection Authority Victoria. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, we are chemical spill cleaning specialists. In the event of an emergency, which is frequently the case for hazardous substance clean-up, we can be on site within the hour. Give our team a call day or night to learn more about our services - our technicians are ready to help you.

Continue reading to discover what chemical spill kits are used for, when they need to be used, and what dangers chemical spills create. Please note that only trained professionals should handle chemical.

What is an emergency spill kit?

An emergency spill kit is something your workplace will have on hand in the event of a hazardous substance spill, containing the necessary materials needed to ensure a safe clean-up. 

If you wish, the spill kit can be made to suit the unique needs of your business. This could depend on the type of chemicals you work with, or the quantity of supplies you need.

They are usually legally required in a workplace when exposure to chemicals is commonplace. It is crucial that you are compliant with all health and safety regulations, or you could see your business facing tough repercussions. 

The specialist equipment stored in a spill kit can be crucial in containing and isolating a chemical spill, as well as safeguarding the health of your employees. You should ensure that all relevant persons know where the kit is secured, and that it is easily accessible when needed.

Where should a spill kit be stored?

The most pressing consideration here is that the kit should be readily accessible and close to the area where chemicals are used.

Also make sure that the spill kit has the equipment you will need to effectively deal with any spillages. You may have multiple spill kits if chemicals are widely used at the site. When one has been used for a spillage, ensure that the kit is replaced in the event of a future spill.

What is included in a spill kit?

In a spill kit, there are an assortment of materials that will help you in the event of a chemical spill. These include:

• Absorbent pads
• Personal protective equipment
• Absorbent cushions
• Wheelie bins

These items can help you contain a spill quickly, to minimise the damage it causes to the surrounding area. It is critical that the equipment available is relevant for the chemicals used in your workplace.

Personal protective clothing is essential for protecting the well-being of your employees, given the serious dangers chemicals can present. In some cases, you might need to equip the kit with respiratory equipment if there is a risk to human health of inhaling hazardous substances.

If you experience a chemical spill, specialist equipment is necessary. At ICE Cleaning, our technicians use the latest advanced tools and solutions to clean-up the spill. Rest assured that they will not leave the site unless you're happy with everything.

When would a spill kit be used?

A chemical skill kit would be used in the event of a chemical skill at work, to clean up hazardous substances. Examples of chemical spillages are:

• Sewage
• Disinfectants
• Petroleum
• Cooking oils

It is essential that your workplace contains a chemical spill kit if you work in an environment where you encounter hazardous matter on a regular basis.

In this type of workplace, there will also usually be an emergency shower and other similar facilities, especially if spillages are common on the premises.

Any chemical spill cleaning needs to be dealt with straight away, as it can damage the health of your employees and impact your work productivity.

Dangers of chemical spills

There are many dangers associated with chemical spills, as the substances can be flammable, corrosive, explosive or event toxic. Risks include, but are not limited to:

• Burns 
• Damage to eyesight
• Chest pain
• Death

Humans can be exposed to chemicals in lots of industries, either through ingestion, absorption or inhalation. Other implications from a chemical spill might impact the environment and the surrounding building. In some cases, you will need to contact the relevant authorities to notify them of the spill.

Employing a specialist cleaning company

Should you experience a chemical spillage, it is wise to call in the help of the professionals. At ICE Cleaning, we have undergone rigorous training to deal with this kind of cleaning, and have carried out clean-ups in all kinds of environments. 

We are also fully certified to dispose of hazardous substances, which will need to go to a specialist site to be properly taken care of. Throughout the clean, we work hard to protect the health of all parties involved, including wearing personal protective equipment and isolating the affected area while we work.

At any point during the process, you are welcome to contact our friendly team for any support you need. From explaining what to expect on the day to speaking about the situation in greater detail, we are here for you.

Once the service is complete, a member of the team will also be in touch to check you're happy with everything and address any concerns you may have.

Related services we offer

As well as our chemical spill cleaning services, we provide the following similar services:

• Mercury cleaning 
• Bromine cleaning
• Hazardous waste clean-up 

Our technicians carry out the job safely but also to a high standard, following strict health and safety practices. For more information about the measures we put in place to ensure this, click here.

Call us today

To find out more about the chemical spill cleaning we provide, get in touch with our team today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.