All facilities that handle any form of hazardous liquid should have a spill control plan in place to ensure any accidental spillages can be handled quickly and safely to protect employees and the environment. In this guide, we delve into a range of spill control solutions. From products designed to prevent accidental spills to how to clean a spill, this guide covers everything you need to know about spill control.
- What is Spill Control?
- Spill Control Regulations in the UK
- Drip Trays
- Spill Pallets
- Plant Nappy
- Benefits of a Plant Nappy
- Spill Kits
- Shop Spill Control Solutions with Fire & Safety Centre
What is Spill Control?
Spill control involves implementing strategies and measures to prevent, manage, and clean up accidental spills of hazardous substances, such as oil, fuel, chemicals, and acids. This includes implementing a spill control plan that can be carried out in the event of a spill and using spill control products to prevent spills in the first place.
Spill Control Regulations in the UK
The most common guidelines and regulations businesses follow are COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) 2002 and COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) 2015. COSHH clearly states businesses that handle potentially harmful substances should have control measures in place. For example, any harmful substances should be carefully managed and spill control measures and products should be in place in the event of a spill.
COMAH focuses more on large-scale incidents, but the guidelines are still similar. Businesses must take the necessary measures to prevent any major incidents that may cause harm to people and the environment.
Drip Trays
One common method of spill control is a drip tray. The most basic of the spill control solutions, a simple drip tray can be placed under smaller machinery or used to prevent spills when decanting potentially harmful substances from one container to another. These drip trays can be used with absorbent products to increase their small capacity.
Spill Pallets
Spill pallets are a larger version of a drip tray, ideal for large containers such as oil drums. Their main purpose is to catch any overspill from these containers during transportation, providing an extra layer of protection against spills. The grid these oil drums sit on allows any spills to drip straight into the sump of the spill pallet, where absorbents can quickly soak up any substances.
Our spill pallets come in a range of sizes, capable of holding one, two or four drums or even one or two IBCs.
It must be noted UK guidance requires any bunds or spill pallets for oil containers to have a capacity of at least 110% of the capacity of the oil drum. Take a look at our range of spill pallets here to find the correct size for your needs.
Plant Nappy
A Plant Nappy is an alternative to drip trays and spill pallets. A more advanced version of a basic drip tray, a Plant Nappy works by separating water from oil and fuel spills, allowing water to escape and any oil and fuel to be contained and absorbed within the Plant Nappy.
Each layer of the Plant Nappy has its own purpose when it comes to handling spills and leaks. Here is a quick overview of how each component handles an oil spill:
- Side Walls: The side walls of the Plant Nappy act as a filter, separating water from any oil residue. The water can escape through these walls.
- Plant Nappy Liners: Adding extra absorbent layers to your Plant Nappy can increase the capacity of a Plant Nappy.
- Internal Base: This layer quickly absorbs oil and fuel, trapping it and preventing it from leaking elsewhere. It is made from a hydrophobic material, meaning water cannot be absorbed here.
- Base Layer: This non-permeable layer ensures any harmful substances are kept away from the ground and environment, preventing spills from spreading.
Benefits of a Plant Nappy
Plant Nappies offer a more flexible and cost-effective solution compared to other spill prevention methods. Here are just some of the benefits a Plant Nappy offers:
- Capable of Working in the Rain: One factor that sets a Plant Nappy apart from other solutions is its ability to work even in the rain. The smart filtration system allows water, including rainwater, to escape the Plant Nappy, meaning harmful substances can be easily contained while water can be flushed out. This leads to a greater capacity compared to other products that would collect both rainwater and harmful substances.
- Effortlessly Protects the Environment: Plant Nappies are primarily used in outdoor settings due to their ability to filter out water. They create a crucial barrier between harmful substances and the environment, preventing oil and other hazardous chemicals from harming the environment.
- Additional Capacity: The water filter mechanism allows water to flow out easily, creating greater capacity for oil and other hazardous substances. You can also add Plant Nappy Liners to increase the capacity further. These liners can effectively double the capacity of a Plant Nappy.
- Cost-Effective Solution: This alternative to a spill pallet offers a durable and lightweight solution that can be placed wherever you need it. You can increase the longevity of your Plant Nappy by adding a Plant Nappy Liner, saving you money in the long run.
Spill Kits
If there is a spill, you will need a spill kit on hand to control the substance quickly. There are two types of spill kits: oil and fuel spill kits and universal spill kits. Oil and fuel spill kits will only absorb oil and hydrocarbon substances so it is crucial you use the correct spill kit when handling a spill. If the spilt substance is water, solvents, oil, fuel, or an unknown substance, you should use a universal spill kit to ensure it can be handled safely.
Spill kits generally contain three main elements: absorbent socks, absorbent pads, and disposal bags. The absorbent socks are used to create a wall around the spill, ensuring it doesn’t spread further. Absorbent pads should then be used to soak up the spill. You should replace these when needed until the spill is fully absorbed. All of the used equipment should then be placed in the provided disposal bags and disposed of according to your local regulations.
Shop Spill Control Solutions with Fire & Safety Centre
Having spill control solutions on hand ensures compliance with regulations, keeps your staff safe, and protects the environment from harm. To equip your facility with spill prevention methods and your staff with the tools they need to deal with unexpected spills, take a look at our range of Spill Control Solutions. From Plant Nappies to Spill Pallets and Spill Kits, we have all the tools you need to ensure the likelihood of accidental spills is kept to a minimum. Shop Spill Control products today to protect your staff and the environment!
FAQs
What is the use of Plant Nappies?
Plant Nappies are a great alternative to drip trays and spill pallets. They capture oil and other substances and have absorbent layers to contain them. They offer more advanced features, such as separating water from oil and letting the water out through their walls while still capturing oil and harmful substances.
What are the seven steps of spill response?
There are seven steps to handling a spill, including:
- Identifying the Substance
- Using Personal Protective Equipment
- Stopping the Spill From Spreading Further
- Cleaning the Spill with the Appropriate Materials
- Disposing of the Used Equipment
- Restocking Used Spill Control Materials
- Reporting the Incident
When should plant nappies be used?
Plant Nappies should be used when handling hazardous substances such as oil, fuel, or other harmful chemicals. They are typically placed under plants or machinery to catch unexpected leaks and prevent harm to the environment.
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