The Main Types Of Spill Kit
Spill kits are available in a huge array of choices, with many available in different sizes to suit different industrial situations. While Spillshop offers over 160 different choices of spill kits, there are three main types of spill kits that you can choose from: Oil spill kits, chemical spill kits and general purpose spill kits.
A large spill can risk the health and safety of any work environment, whether that is an office environment, a factory, or a warehouse. Spills, especially with oils and corrosive chemicals, can have devastating impacts. If a simple spill occurs while you are using, storing or transporting goods, having an appropriate spill kit to hand can help you sort it quickly and cost-effectively.
Most organisations are armed with fire wardens, stocked first aid kits and first aid trained staff. However, not all businesses are armed with spill kits, and they should be. It is important that you ensure that you select a spill kit that holds enough equipment to manage the size of the spill. If you store 205 L containers, having enough equipment to manage a 60 L spill will not be appropriate, a 205l bund would be suitable.
As part of your health and safety controls, picking the right spill kit is essential. This article will explain what a spill kit is and the essential components of one, so you can ensure you have the proper equipment needed to control simple spills.
What Is In An Oil Spill kit?
Oil spill kits are a vital safety tool in any workplace that is dealing with oil. This includes areas of an organisation where external objects or machines, such as construction machines or vehicles, are brought in with grease or oil inside them. If there is a risk of them leaking their internal contents, an oil spill kit is needed.
The contents of this kit can be customised for indoor, outdoor and near waterway use. They are designed to clean up the spill safely and efficiently, control further contamination and repel any water. This means they are perfect to use in external situations where rainwater will otherwise soak into any other absorbents. The smallest type of oil spill kit available is able to clean up a spill of 15 litres of oil spillage, but the spill kits can also be large enough to clear up to 1100 litres.
An oil spill kit will contain suitable spill solving products such as absorbent pads, absorbent socks, and waste disposal bags and ties. Larger kits come with absorbent rolls, hazard barrier tape, sealing putty and drain covers. Sometimes accidents and spills happen and when it does, the best thing to do is to take care of it in the safest and cost-effective manner possible. This is why having an oil spill kit handy to clean up a spillage is the best option, in such situations.
Chemical Spill Kits
Chemical spills can be detrimental to personal health and the damage caused can be devastating to a company’s revenue if not contained and cleared properly. Due to the dangerous nature of chemical spills, PPE should be used in conjunction with the spill kit and it is always advised that only trained personnel clean up chemical spills.
When the right staff can easily access the tools to clean spillages promptly, downtime can be reduced and the risk of accidents and injuries can be kept to the minimum possible level. The staff dealing with the spill should always use goggles, a face shield, specialised gloves, and disposable oversuits.
Chemical spill kits contain absorbent pads, absorbent socks and waste disposal bags and ties. Larger chemical spill kits also include absorbent rolls, sealing putty and drain protection. For spillages involving highly acidic or alkaline liquids, consideration should be given to applying a neutraliser before deploying the adsorbents which allows for an effective cleaning solution and is the best way to handle this type of spillage.
Spillages are a major cause of slips and falls in the workplace and must be rapidly identified and removed. For information on handling a chemical spill correctly, check with government health and safety legislation or contact us today.
General Purpose Spill Kit
The general purpose spill kit is the most common spill kit and they are often found in workshops, factories and even loading docks. These commonly found kits can be used to absorb coolants, paint, blood, common fluids, degreasers and less damaging chemicals. Dealing with these incidents quickly and effectively will protect the site staff, premises and the wider environment from harm.
This spill kit is designed to absorb non-aggressive liquids and contains equipment such as:
- Disposable bags and ties
- Absorbent socks – normally the first items you will be using for spills as their main purpose is to contain.
- Absorbent pads – These are thin sheets that may or may not be perforated. Absorbent pads help address the bulk of your spillage or mess.
Spills can pose a serious threat in the workplace; not only can spills create a slipping hazard, but they can also be harmful to breathe in or come into contact with. It is an important part of any COSHH risk assessment to have an efficient spill emergency response plan. This will detail what should be done in the event of an accident, including leaks and spillages, involving any hazardous substances.
To learn more about which spill kit you require or to have a custom kit built for you, contact our team today.
Intermediate bulk containers, or IBCs, have grown increasingly popular in a range of industries over the last 20 years. Commonly used to store industrial liquids or hazardous chemicals, IBC containers can be used in a wide variety of roles and are completely reusable, making them a cost-effective way to store a range of liquids and even water.
Typically used for the storage and transport of hazardous and non-hazardous liquids and waste in warehouses and work sites, these reusable, pallet-mounted containers are very handy. Reusable bunds are often used to transfer liquids and, often, there is the risk of spillage and, even with a dedicated, industrial-grade storage unit like an IBC, there is the risk of leakage.
The best way to deal with these spills and leaks is by being proactive and installing an IBC bund to immediately collect and contain any spill or leak before it becomes a hazard or contaminates your workspace.
Does my site need an IBC Bund?
You’ll often find IBC containers and IBC bunds on construction sites or in large warehouses replacing traditional pails, cans, and drums. An IBC container and bund can accommodate a large quantity of liquids, and its versatile design and transportability make it a great fit for this task.
An IBC bund is placed underneath intermediate bulk containers to prevent leaks or spillages from contaminating the surrounding area. They are designed to capture a minimum of 1100 Litres of liquid in the event of an IBC failure, and in doing so comply with all liquid storage regulations.
Any facility that stores, transfers, processes or disposes of chemicals or large quantities of liquids will likely require the use of an intermediate bulk container bund. There are several factors, including the type of liquids being stored and the circumstances under which the bund will be used, that you should take into account when selecting the correct IBC bund for your needs. You should consider:
- Type of facility/location
- Risk levels for leaks/spills
- What liquids/materials are used onsite
- Location of storage containers.
- How much liquid is being stored on site
In many cases, bunds are also recommended for use in facilities where non-hazardous liquids are stored. To ensure you’re following IBC safe storage practices or to determine whether you need one, you can review the GPP 26 guidelines.
What type of IBC bund should I use?
There are two main types of IBC Bunds on the market, steel and plastic. It is a common misconception that steel IBC bunds are universally superior to plastic ones. While steel bunds have their pros, plastic bunds are more commonly used and are much easier to transport and clean.
One aspect to consider when deciding which bund to use in your facility is the type of chemicals/liquids you will be storing. If you are commonly storing non-corrosive chemicals at your facility then it is recommended that plastic IBC bunds are used.
There are 2 main sizes that you can choose from: double or single bunds. Double IBC bunds are often used for storing two IBC’s. Consideration needs to be given to the fact that liquids will not react if they come into contact with each other. Regulations for all IBC bunds state that the spill pallet must have a bund capacity of 25% of the total capacity stored on it or 110% of the largest vessel.
Conclusion
The IBC bund also known as an IBC spill pallet has become ever more increasingly popular over the last 20 years. If you have an IBC on site that contains anything other than water it must either sit in a bunded area or be sited on a bund. Essentially, if you are storing or transporting large amounts of liquids on your site, you’ll want to invest in an IBC Bund.
If you do purchase these effective storage facilities, it is essential that your business follows local guidelines on the use of IBC storage containers. This applies to any liquid, from storing flammable materials, caustic chemicals, petroleum or even pesticides. Fines for non-compliance vastly exceed the cost of purchasing an IBC spill pallet. All IBC bunding from Spillshop is manufactured in the UK.
Every spill pallet supplied by Spillshop will come with the option of either coming covered or with a rain cover. Depending on where your IBC and bund are sited will determine whether you need these options. If you need more information on bunds or guidance on storage, contact our team today.
When it comes to storing large quantities of industrial liquids such as chemicals and oils, your choice of vessel depends on the volume and characteristics of the liquid that needs to be contained. To ensure safe storage and transportation of large volumes of liquids, businesses and organisations in the U.K. most frequently use storage vessels such as IBC tanks and chemical drums. The first factor that should be considered when choosing between a drum or IBC is adhering to health and safety regulations laid out by law.
When considering how to store large volumes of non-hazardous chemicals, the steel or plastic drum has been widely accepted as the best way for liquid transportation and bulk storage for businesses. Non-hazardous chemicals, fuels and hazardous goods have been transported around the world for decades by using these drums. However, over the last few decades, IBC storage tanks have had key advantages over their cylinder-shaped counterparts. In some cases, IBC’s can save businesses up to 75% by switching from drums and they can be moved freely and without expensive pallets and shrink wrap.
There are pros and cons to using both drums and IBC’s, it all comes down to the quantities and transportation of the liquids you are looking to store. Getting the best ROI while transporting your product depends on factors such as the cost of manufacturing, the cost of packing, transport, and even storage viability.
The right containers can save your company money at nearly every stage. If you are struggling to decide precisely which of these storage solutions are best suited to your needs, read on to discover the key benefits and features of drums or IBC storage containers.
What is a storage Drum?
Storage drums are a very common transport container for many hazardous and non-hazardous goods. Typically made of either metal or plastic, drums have long been a stand-by for a variety of industries. Until innovation started making headway in other options, they weren’t a bad choice, as they were stable, strong, and predictable in size and weight.
The number of storage drums held by a given container can range from less than 10 to well over 100 and are considered to be a form of secondary containment. Their cylindrical shape is both sturdy and space-efficient for storing and transporting, and as a result, the use of storage drum containers is very common at worksites that need to contain or distribute liquid substances in bulk.
Due to the significant association with hazardous materials or liquids of large quantities, drum storage containers are subject to a variety of quality standards related to the safe storage of drums. Some examples where these regulations will be paramount are the safe use of the plastic drums that house corrosive materials as these could require different safety procedures compared to those needed for the handling of metal drums housing explosive materials.
If the material held by the drum is flammable, the storage unit will be subject to additional legal and consensus standards, such as the HSE Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).
One of the issues surrounding round drums is that it’s very difficult to get all of a liquid or viscous product removed from a drum, even with a gravity-assist dispenser. That leads to increased product waste and reduced ROI. Finally, drums typically need to be thoroughly cleaned for sanitary or safety reasons which can lead to paying for more staff, cleaning materials, and time to do so between fillings and deliveries.
What is an IBC?
Intermediate bulk containers (IBC) and drums are the ideal solutions for shipping liquids in mid-sized volumes. They are usually made with a galvanised steel outer frame and an inner container of high-density polyethylene. IBC tanks are stackable and are typically mounted on a pallet for easy transportation using a forklift or a pallet jack.
The nature of the chemicals that can be stored in a given IBC tank depends on its packaging symbol. Depending on their classification, they can be used for the storage of hazardous materials such as corrosive chemicals. UN-certified IBCs can be used for storing and transporting hazardous materials, whereas non-UN IBCs are for non-hazardous bulk storage.
IBC containers with liners are arguably the best choice for shipping, storage, and dispensing large volumes of liquids. These containers are a popular solution for industrial applications where having clean storage and transport is vital. With additional features such as liners, these tanks can be used multiple times, while drums are generally single-use-only
IBC totes eliminate product waste by draining completely, while drums collect the residual product, and they can even be recycled once their use has expired. Recycling an IBC is easy and is a service offered by a myriad of companies around the globe. If you’re using a bag-based IBC instead of those with plastic containers or bottles it’s even simpler, the bag is easily removed and recycled after use.
One of the main benefits of an IBC is how easy it is to empty in comparison to a drum. When empty, it still takes a lot of manpower and space to move and store steel drums. An empty non-rigid IBC on the other hand can be folded down when not in use, allowing them to be stacked 10 high in storage and 5 high in most large logistics vehicles. Often special equipment is required to open and discharge both metal and plastic drums, which can introduce contaminants to the drum’s contents.
While IBC solutions are lightweight and effective, they can cost more than the average drum storage. Rigid bottle-and-cage IBC totes came along, eliminating that null space problem between rows of containers, but introducing new costs for manufacturers and buyers. The need to manufacture them with two different materials meant that the cost-per climbed upwards, negating many of the financial gains that changing shape offered.
Conclusion
Selecting the right container option for your company will translate to cost savings during your manufacturing and shipping process. In addition, investing in the right containers will result in fewer wasted product contamination problems caused by large spills. Always consider where you are storing your liquids, either inside a building or outside on site.
If you’re working with liquid and viscous substances, it is important to ensure that you’re getting everything you can from every intermediate bulk container or storage drum, regardless of contents or size. While switching to a new type of container may seem challenging in your current workflow, the effort is well worth it and will help improve your process from fill to sale and throughout the supply chain.
Spillshop offers over 160 different types of spill kits and storage solutions ranging from 15L to 1100L capacities. For further information on chemical safety and storage best practices, read our blog. If you have any questions regarding our solutions or securing best practice chemical storage in the workplace, contact our expert team today.