It’s Time to Take Stock

The halfway point of the year marks the ideal time to evaluate the spill kits in your workplace. Below are some important questions to ask yourself while you’re taking stock. Remember, these could be the difference between having a minor incident and a major ecological disaster.

Where are your spill kits?

It sounds obvious, but do you and your staff know where your spill kits are located? (They might not be where you think they are). It’s a good idea to position them close to liquid storage and handling areas. Ensure that staff are aware of spill kit locations, and have clear protocols about keeping them readily accessible at all times. This includes not keeping them behind locked gates or far away. If either of these apply, you should consider relocating your spill kit or purchasing another.

Are your spill kits fully stocked?

Most spills are unlikely to use up an entire spill kit. However it’s important to note that whenever absorbents are removed, a spill kit’s absorbent capacity is reduced. Failing to replenish your spill kit can have dire consequences when an emergency spill occurs. In such cases, the effectiveness of your spill kit to contain and absorb the spill will be severely compromised. This is why periodic checks of your spill kits are considered one of the most essential preventative measures to take.

Stratex spill kits offer the unique ability to perform a QR code stocktake. Simply scan the QR code with your phone and a form will pop up with a list of the spill kit’s contents. Next, check the quantities match what’s inside and if not, update the stocktake form. After completion you’ll receive an email record of your stocktake.

Are you dipping into your emergency spill kits on a regular basis? If so, you might want to consider a Maintenance & Clean Up Spill Kit. These are the kits for everyday leaks and spills, helping to keep your emergency kits stocked for when you need them. Learn more in our article A Spill Kit for Non-emergencies.

Do your spill kits still meet requirements?

Changes to liquids stored onsite could impact which type of spill kit you should use. General purpose spill kits provide great all round versatility for most liquid types including hydrocarbons and water-based spills. Oil and fuel spill kits are great for absorbing hydrocarbons whilst repelling water. These hydrophobic properties make them ideal for outdoor and marine environments. Oil and fuel absorbents work outdoors in the rain and will float on water, even when saturated with oil. And if you’re storing hazardous chemicals such as acids and alkalis, or dealing with unknown liquid spills, a chemical spill kit provides the best solution.

Also consider the volume of liquids being stored onsite. If your largest container is a 1,000 litre intermediate bulk container, you should have a spill kit (or multiple kits) with a total capacity of at least 1,000 litres. It’s also best practice to ensure that these are bunded to contain potential spills and minimise clean up efforts – see our article Do I Need Bunding? for more information.

Are your staff trained in spill response?

Having spill kits onsite is one thing, but knowing how to use them is another. Regular training is a crucial part of effective spill response. When was the last time your staff received spill response training? Have new personnel joined since? You should aim for your team to complete spill response training at least once per year.

Stratex offers best practice spill response training to help organisations keep their employees, workplaces and the environment safe from harm. Our training covers relevant legislation, theory and a practical demonstration on how to use a spill kit. Upon completion, attendees will have their knowledge tested and receive a certificate. Click to learn more about Stratex spill control training.