Chemical spills are common across a variety of industries in Australia. Whether it is warehousing, mining, or manufacturing, a chemical spill can present a real hazard to the health and safety of your team. Having a chemical spill kit on hand and ready to go can make all the difference. It is important however, to ensure your spill kit meets the required standard. Especially in Australia, there is a real need to ensure your spill kits meet a certain level of safety and compliance. The team at Spill Station has put together a few handy reminders to help ensure your workplace ticks all the boxes!
Which Standards Apply to Spill Kits in Australia?
There are a number of standards you can use to measure the safety and effectiveness of your spill kit. One of the most relevant ones in Australia is the WHS (Workplace Health and Safety) regulations. These outline relevant procedures on chemical handling, storage, and emergency response plans.
One thing to consider is that standards can vary depending on the state. There are different EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) standards related to spill response expectations that can change depending on where you are based. A supplier of spill kits should be able to provide the relevant information and ensure the products they provide meet the expected level of compliance.
What Should a Spill Kit Include in Australia?
What is required in a spill kit can vary depending on the type of chemicals involved, and the industry you work in. While not a complete list, a few baseline inclusions are:
- Absorbents (tailored to the type of potential spill)
- PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Containment tools (can include things like booms or socks)
- Disposal materials (bags, bins, etc)
- Any relevant signage and documentation
You may need more than one spill kit in the workplace depending on the number of products you work with on a regular basis. Something else that can impact things is where the chemicals are stored (inside/outside) and the amount of risk involved. If you are unsure of what is needed, it is best to speak with an expert to ensure you keep everything above board.
Chemical Spill Kits – Ensuring Compliance
Because of the degree of risk involved, it is essential to have everything in place, ready to go, and compliant with the relevant standards when the need arises. To “wing it”, or guess, brings a great deal of risk and can result in injury which you could be liable for. If you are looking to get started with a new spill kit, or are wondering if what you have meets the standards required, be sure to get in touch with our friendly team today. Doing so will ensure your kit remains compliant and in accord with all the standards required.