Oil, chemical, water and fuel spills are inevitable in certain industries, which means a solution to these spills is vital, to avoid hefty fines and a bad reputation.

 

Environmental regulations

 

Environmental-Regulations

 

There are many different regulators governing the management and control of spills, as listed below.

 

Oil Storage Regulations

The different Oil Storage Regulations are:

 

These state that oil storage containers should be stored on secondary containment equipment, such as bunded spillpallet, which are able to contain 110% of the maximum contents of the largest container – or 25% of the total volume stored, whichever is the greater amount.

 

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 encourages businesses to have adequate spill protection equipment on hand and to train staff to use it to protect the environment in the event of a spill

 

Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC)

In order to gain an IPPC permit, operators of industrial sites must show that they have systematically developed proposals to apply the Best Available Techniques (BAT) to pollution prevention and control as well as addressing other requirements, depending on differing local factors

 

Considerate Constructors

In the environmental section of Considerate Constructors guidelines it states:

10. “Avoid pollution and wastage at all times”

11. “Have fuel-oil spillage clean-up equipment available”

 

The Water Resources Act 1991 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2009

Under the Water Resources Regulations, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste to enter any controlled waters. These include territorial, coastal, inland and ground waters. Penalties can range from a term of imprisonment to a fine, or even both.

 

The types of spill absorbent

When it comes to preventing, controlling or managing spills, or spill threats – Absorbents and spill control equipment is exactly what you need; although different industries and substances require different equipment and methods of prevention and clean-up.

 

The 4 main types of spill absorbent are:

  • Grey:  General purpose absorbents
  • White: Oil and fuel absorbent
  • Yellow: Chemical absorbents
  • Granules: Varied options/capabilities

 

 General purpose absorbent

spill-kit-grey

General purpose absorbent pads are perfect for:

  • General spills

  • Solvents

  • Oils

  • Common fluids

  • Non-aggressive fluids

These durable and super absorbent pads are ideal to be used as flooring covers or quick response spill clean ups thanks to their flexibility, durability and absorbent level. The cellulose fibre content means these pads do not stand up to acids or caustics.

Some suppliers offer non-slip versions of these pads, meaning that even when on a slippery surface, after absorbing its limit, it will still retain its placement position – this reduces dangerous slips and trips.

 

Oil and fuel absorbent

spill-kit-white

The white absorbent pads act differently to general purpose pads – they are designed to absorb:

  • Oils

  • Fuels

  • Solvents

  • Most petrochemicals

They work on both land and water due to their advanced hydrophobic properties; meaning they will not absorb water at all. These pads are capable of being placed in a pool of oil filled water, and only absorbing the oil, making them cost effective in a water-based or damp environment.

 

Chemical absorbent

spill-kit-yellow2

 

The yellow spill pads are designed to be used upon aggressive and/or non-aggressive liquids. They are made from pure Melt Blown Polypropylene, making them stable when in acids and caustics. This makes these pads ideal for use around aggressive substances, such as a laboratory.

 

Absorbent Granules

Absorbent granules have many different purposes, depending on the type of granules you buy. The advantage to granules over pads, socks or other spill control apparatus is their simplistic and flexible application.

 

spill-kit-absorbents-no-tex

 

 

The types of granules available are:

 

Multi-Zorb

Industrial spillage absorbent, is a specially produced quality granular clay that absorbs all kinds of liquid spillages without granular breakdown, leaving floors clean, dry and safe.

 

New Safety Thread

Non marking and non dusting. Suitable for use on strong chemicals

 

Light Plus

Paper pellet granules.

 

E-Sorb

fire retardant wood fibre granules.

 

ELCEF Fibre

Biodegradable oil selective fibre.

 

Absorbent product variants

There are many different styles of absorbent products, to suit every size, shape, space or spill. These are:

 

Explanation-of-spill-contro

Socks

Socks are ideal for coiling around machinery to contain or absorb any leaks of drips. If a leak has already occurred, however, socks can be used to form a ring around spills to act as an absorbent blocking barrier to contain the spill.

Pads/Rolls

Pads and rolls have various uses, including absorbing liquid trapped in the centre of a sock, generally wiping down dirty/oily surface, being placed down as a walk way to catch oily drips or footprints and acting as a handy matt to place down tools or equipment. The rolls offer a handy rip-to-fit solution to act as a more cost-effective and economic alternative to set-size pads.

Cushions

Cushions can be inserted into drip pans/trays to soak up the contents, or be placed under leaky/dripping machinery. They are also used similar to how pads are, by being placed in the centre of a spill, which has been encircled by a sock.

Booms

Booms ar floating barriers, which are often used to contain the spread of oil on water (These are often the white absorbent, with hydrophobic qualities). The booms are enclosed in a strong outer netting for durability, as well as being equipped with hooks and rings to allow them to be linked together, in order to create any length required. These hooks are inset from the end of the boom, to allow an overlap, acting as an extra oil-defence barrier.

Drum toppers

Drum toppers are essentially pads that are pre-cut into the shape of the upper side of an oil drum. This helps to prevent leakage right at the source of the leak, rather than allowing any spillage to drip down the side of a barrel and onto a pad on the floor.

Drain mats

Drain mats are specifically designed to be placed over drainage inlets to project drainage systems from excess spills.

 

Why is this important for your business

Taking care and preventing absorbent and spills is important for your business in order to comply with:

 

 

Having dangerous substances, hazardous surfaces and dangerous chemicals around your business can lead to an injury at work, and the spillage of these substances can lead to hefty fines from environmental parties as well as giving your company a bad reputation.

 

To view our full range of absorbents and spill control kits, products, replacements and storage options, see our Absorbents and Spill control page here



    We respect your privacy - view our privacy policy

    Back