When an oil spill takes place, it is essential that action is taken immediately after detection to contain the situation as quickly as possible. An oil spill can happen anywhere, including workshops, warehouses, transport depots, construction sites, and marine environments.
An oil spill kit is used to resolve small incidents before they become large-scale and costly environmental incidents. How to ensure a successful organisational response to an incident depends completely on what is in the oil spill kit.
What Are The Components Of An Oil Spill Kit?
General components in an oil spill kit include absorbent pads, absorbent booms/socks, disposal bags, PPE, guidance for responding to an oil spill and a storage container.
1. Absorbent Pads
Absorbent pads are made from materials that meet the requirements of being able to absorb oil or gasoline and to repel water. They will absorb a lot of oil, making them very useful for clean-ups on land as well as on the sea, and also for cleaning up leaks, drips and surface spills.
2. Absorbent Booms/ Socks
Absorbent booms/socks are designed to be used in preventing a spill from spreading and contain a spill. They can be placed around machines, drains or the perimeter of a spill to create a barrier.
3. Absorbent Pillows
Absorbent pillows are designed to absorb large quantities of oil and fuel. These are most commonly placed under leaking equipment, drums or machinery in areas where oil can probably collect.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protecting the staff working on the spot during a spill response is of utmost priority. Standard spill kits contain gloves and safety goggles, as well as disposable coveralls, to minimise the responder’s exposure to the hazardous materials involved in the spill.
5. Spill Response Guide
Having a clear set of spill response procedures enables responders to respond quickly and confidently in an emergency. Most oil spill kits have directions on how to stop the spill, contain it, clean it up and then dispose it off correctly.
6. Storage Container
A durable and clearly marked container should be used to store an oil spill kit. The type of container will vary depending on the user’s situation. Some examples include: portable bags, wheelie bins, or larger mobile units.
How to Choose an Ideal Oil Spill Kit
Each item in a spill kit plays its own unique part in preventing an oil spill from spreading and causing more significant environmental damage or injury; therefore, having properly stocked kits decreases environmental impact from oil spills caused by equipment failures or other unforeseen events.
To help create safe and efficient workplaces, it is imperative that you also regularly inspect your oil spill kits, position them strategically within your facility, and purchase quality spill kits that will enable you to effectively respond to any future oil spills that may occur.
For further information about oil spill kits and spill response solutions, please visit Spill Station Australia’s website.