What does a spill kit usually always include?

While spill kits are designed for certain spills, all spill kits usually consist of the same three elements: PPE, sorbents, and clean-up items. Workers should be trained on the differences between materials and the limits of PPE included to ensure safety. These items include the following:

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Whether the kit is designed for oils pills or a battery acid spill, there is always some type of PPE included in a spill kit. The most common types of PPE used for spills are eye and face protection, gloves, booties/shoe covers, and chemical spills usually require the use of a disposable lab coat, respiratory protection, and a corrosive resistant apron.
  • Absorbents: These are items like mops, cloths, sponges, loose powder, etc. that are created out of material capable of absorbing and containing a spill. Absorbents in put in kits based upon the type of material they are designed to soak up. For example, all-purpose absorbents are placed in universal spill kits abut a battery acid spill kit is much more likely to contain and absorbent with a chemical neutralizer.
  • Clean-up materials: Spill kits should have a dust pan or scoop to soak up the spill. Kits will also almost always include plastic bags for used PPE items to be put in for disposal. The kit itself should come in a container large enough for the potential spill. In addition to having appropriate supplies to clean the pill, the kit should include disposal materials and instructions for the worker. By properly disposing of spills and the clean-up of spills, it reduces/eliminates the potential for an environmental or public risk hazard.

Additional materials: The presence of certain chemicals will require the use of very specific materials in the absorption or clean-up steps. It will be important to review the safety data sheets to ensure the kit on hand has the proper materials to eliminate the exposure of hazardous chemicals.

 

View all Spill Cleanup Q&A

Free E-Book

Spill Kit Cleanup

An introduction to spill kits and proper containment procedures.

 

Free E-Book

PPE Guide

Make sure employees are properly protected with the right PPE for the job.

 
Other FREE Resources:

Helpful Resources