How To Choose Spill Kits For Small Businesses

When it comes to buying spill kits, many small businesses find that they face something of a problem. Whilst appreciating that spill control is essential, and a legal obligation, many of the spill kits available can seem to be designed either for very small, single workshops or homes, or large industrial sized businesses. For the small to mid ranged business buying spill kits can often be a case of finding an unhappy compromise.

Spill kits are generally available in various sizes, and various types. The different sizes refer to the maximum capacity an individual spill kit or absorbent is capable of absorbing. A 70 litre oil only absorbent is therefore an acceptable spill control solution for a business which stores up to around 70 litres of oil. For situations where more than 70 litres are stored, the appropriate number and type of absorbent or spill control solution will need to be provided.

It is also important to be aware that spill kits are available as different types, with each type designed for a specific purpose, or a very general one. Such examples include chemical absorbents, oil only absorbents and general purpose absorbents. Chemical spill kits will be designed to cope with a range of chemical spillages likely to be experienced in the workplace or in workshops and laboratories. Obviously in some cases it will be necessary to obtain a spill kit that is able to cope with very specific chemicals should the need arise.

Oil only absorbents are designed to repel water and other liquids, absorbing only the oil. Often oil can end up mixing with water, and trying to mop up or absorb both can prove impossible. In cases where oil seeps out into a body of water, such as a river, streams, pond or the sea, any absorbent other than an oil only one will simply become drenched with water before even a small quantity of the oil had been absorbed. By using oil only spill kits the water is actively repelled by the chemicals used inside the absorbent, and the oil absorbed very efficiently. This allows the oil only absorbent to float on top of the water, absorbing the spilt oil but without becoming waterlogged.

General purpose absorbents can be used for a range of purposes, from spilt water to cups of tea and coffee. In some cases they can be used for mild chemicals, though this should be avoided where possible, and general purpose absorbents are unlikely to be as effective with oil spillages.

There is also the issue of bodily fluids, which represents a different danger again, with bodily fluids posing severe health risks. Chemical absorbents and general purpose absorbents can sometimes be used, but specific spill kits designed for bodily fluids are a much safer option.

But with all of these different types of spill kits it can often be the case that small businesses find themselves having to stock a large number of different types around the workplace. It is clearly necessary to have the right spill kit very near to the appropriate location, and if there are multiple locations where certain spillages might occur, then it will be necessary to ensure that suitable spill kits are purchased and distributed throughout the relevant areas.

With many spill kits being sold in large quantities, with 30 litres or more often being promoted, small businesses can find that they are having to spend large sums of money purchasing spill kits and spill control solutions which go far beyond any likely capacity that might be needed. Having to purchase several types of spill kit only adds to the overall cost, quite apart from the physical space they are likely to take up.

There is a further problem, in that most spill kits contain a limited number of the key components, and once an absorbent is even partially used, it cannot be used again, but must be disposed of. This can, in some cases, render the remaining spill kit insufficient for the potential risk in that area, forcing the business to purchase a completely new spill kit.

However, there are companies which, in addition to providing large scale, industrial spill kits, also provide smaller spill kits, suitable for small businesses, workshops and even homes and domestic garages. Not only this, but many are available with compatible kit refills, meaning that once a spill kit has been partially used, the missing components can then be purchased, without the need to replace the entire spill kit.

In this way, spill kits can be purchased which most appropriately represent the likely dangers in the workplace, helping small businesses provide suitable and adequate spill control solutions without pushing up the cost of safety.

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