Spill kits are a crucial part of any spill response strategy for environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety issues. One of the most common inquiries during spill response planning is how many spill kits your workplace should have.
There are three factors you need to consider when determining the number of spill kits needed:
- The volume of liquids being stored on-site.
- The number of spill-risk areas.
- The amount of time it takes a responder to get to spill response kits.
Most workplaces require enough kits to contain the largest spill that could occur in each spill-risk location while making sure the responders have immediate access to the kit.
To determine the number of kits required, you need to conduct a site-specific risk assessment that takes into account operational hazards, environmental hazards, site layout, and Australian workplace health and safety requirements that apply.
What is the Formula for Calculating the Number of Spill Kits Needed?
The general formula for calculating the number of spill kits needed to respond to an emergency is to have enough spill response equipment available to contain the largest predictable spill in each high-risk spill location.
In the case of a site that contains the potential for a 205-litre oil drum to spill, the site must have at least two spill response kits available to respond efficiently.
If a site contains fuel tanks, bulk liquid storage, and/or chemicals, multiple large-capacity spill kits need to be placed in the same vicinity as the bulk liquid storage area.
There are two aspects to consider when developing your spill response plan:
1) The size of your spill response kit(s); and
2) How many spill response kits are available to use if a spill occurs throughout the site?
Having several appropriately sized kits placed throughout the site can provide a faster and more effective response than having only one large kit located in a central location within the site.
What are High-Risk Locations Requiring Spill Kits
Once you have evaluated potential spill volumes, the next step is to determine the best placement of spill response gear. Rather than relying on a centralised spill kit, you need to identify which areas could be affected the most by a spill.
Some of the common high-risk areas are:
- Fuel storage areas
- Chemical storage rooms
- Loading and unloading areas
- Workshop and maintenance areas
- Waste storage areas
- Vehicle servicing areas
- Refuelling locations
- Equipment storage areas
As a general rule, you need each major spill location to have immediate access to the appropriate spill kit.
For example, if there is a warehouse with a fuel area, loading area, and maintenance area, there may be a requirement for at least 3 independent spill kits.
Final Thoughts
Three fundamental factors have an impact on how many spill kits you require: the expected maximum size of any potential spill, the size of the area that is considered to be at risk for spills, and the amount of time it will take for responders to have access to the necessary spill response equipment when a spill occurs.
If your organisation needs help with spill response planning, choosing the right spill kits and improving spill preparedness, you can visit Spill Station Australia to find out if your spill kit equipment matches your site’s risk and operational requirements.