Spill control is used to reduce the effects of a spill that could be potentially hazardous and can harm the health of the people involved. The spill could involve several fluids, such as oils, fuels, chemicals and acids, that can affect the workers and the environment.
One will need to follow the guidelines available to decrease the risk of the spill. There are also multiple products available in the market that have the functionality to limit the spread and effect a fast and safe clean-up and disposal.
Regulations Around Spill Control
There is a range of regulations involved in storing and transporting chemicals due to their danger to the environment and humans. Every liquid has specific rules depending on its type and hazard level. For example, spilling paint on your floor is quite different from spilling acid. That is why every liquid requires a specific cleaning process.
The most widely used guidelines that have thoroughly explained the regulations around spill control are the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 2002 and COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) 2015 regulations.
Spill Management Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is the opening step of spill management, as it provides a detailed breakdown of the types and volumes of chemicals present at the site and what are the important steps to take in order to ensure the safety of people and the environment.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999, is focused on defining the safety need to be placed for chemicals. According to which below steps need to be followed.
- Recognise the items that are more likely to cause harm
- Assess the intensity of the risk taken regarding the chemicals
- Eradicate the chemicals or reduce the risk involved
The risk assessment for your spill management needs to be detailed and precise rather than complicated.
Recognising the Risks
Recognising the risks involved can be a tiresome process, as there are infinite possibilities when human error is combined with machine or equipment malfunction. The process of identifying risks needs to be broken down into more practicable activities.
Learn about the process of working, such as the interaction between pieces of equipment and machinery and how the chemicals will be used and stored. Evaluate the primary practices involved while using chemicals and review the logs from previous accidents or injuries.
Assessing the Risks:
During this step, one will need to assess the possibility of an issue arising and counter process placed in case of the rise. Scenarios such as the presence of welding posts near the fuel tank with the leak have a high probability of an accident with a disastrous outcome. On the other hand, if the fuel tank is replaced by inert cleaning fluid, it will also pose a threat but with little associated danger.
Always assess the impact or harm by analysing the whole spill. For example, if you always have an average of 250 litres of a chemical on-site, so analyse the impact of the whole 250 litres spil. Analyse the precautions in place against that type of accident and then work on mitigating the risk of a hazardous spill.
Eliminating and Controlling the Assessment:
This step is the practical step where all your necessary actions come to life. If you require the usage and storage of chemicals at your company, then accidents are imminent, and you will not be able to eliminate all spill risks.
Although eliminating is difficult controlling is not that difficult if proper storage best practices and guidelines are followed. You should always train your staff and keep them updated on the latest guidelines.
Types of Spill Kits
Spill kits have become a necessary component of several industries and sectors. However, every industry has different requirements for its spill kits, due to their unique spill issues, everyone required the most appropriate equipment according to their requirements. Some of the spill kit types include.
Oil Spill Kits:
As the name suggests, they are used to absorb oil-based spills while resisting the water. These kits can be mostly used in places where there is more chance of oil spills, such as garages and factories.
Chemical Spill Kits:
Chemical spill kits are designed to clean dangerous chemicals safely. They are mostly composed of acid neutralisers or any other absorbents for bases and other unknown liquids. It is the most important component of the companies involved in highly volatile chemical processes when they deal with corrosive substances.
General Purpose Spill Kits:
This type of kit can be used in the handling process of several liquids, such as water, cleaners, and less hazardous chemicals. Due to its broad coverage capabilities, it is most beneficial to be used in workshops, warehouses, and companies utilising a range of substances.
Maintenance Spill Kits:
This kit is designed to be used for regular spills such as oils, fluids, and coolants. They can be utilised in maintenance facilities, industrial floors, and automotive workshops.
Marine Spill Kits:
It is also clear from its name that it is used to clean the spills in marine environments. They clean fuel or oil spills on water surfaces that are near and important for ports, shipping companies and marinas.
Biohazard Spill Kits:
These kits can tackle hazardous spills safely and properly disinfect them. They are the most important part of laboratories, hospitals, or any other facility working with biological hazards.