What Are Chemical Spill Kits?
In most cases, laboratories and similar facilities will both store and use a variety of chemicals (both hazardous and non-hazardous) – and for this reason, it can often be important to have a spill kit to hand that’s suitable for the needs of the testing area. Despite this, many facilities aren’t actually equipped with chemical spill kits that can solve all of the different types of issues that could potentially occur.
To ensure the safety of yourself and others who enter the workspace, finding the ideal spill kit can be essential.
What’s needed for a basic spill kit?
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
From safety eyewear (like spare safety goggles), to lab coats; there are a number of things that you should keep in a spill kit to ensure that you’re protected from a chemical spill. Be sure to include gloves (latex gloves aren’t usually a good idea – instead, consider nitrile or butyl rubber gloves), shoe covers and aprons. Usually, reading the MSDSs is a good way to make sure that you have everything you need.
Chemical resistant bags and hazardous waste tags
Be sure to have high density polyethylene or polypropylene bags (with attached hazardous waste tags) to contain any spill clean-up materials and residue that needs to be disposed of.
Polypropylene container with a lid
Having a polypropylene container and chemical resistant bin liners handy to store components when cleaning up a spill can often be important. Alternatively, high density polyethylene containers can be a good choice, too. A 5 gallon (or larger) bucket with a lid is often the best way to go.
Clean-up tools
In most cases, you’ll also need chemical resistant cleaning tools, like dustpans and brushes. Fortunately, there are a range of polypropylene variants available.
Inert absorbents
There are a number of absorbents to choose from (from Vermiculite, to ordinary pillows), that can be used to help absorb a liquid chemical spill. Other types you may want to consider can come under the term of ”loose bulk” absorbents, like clay or cat litter. Often, when used properly, these can be used to prevent a liquid spill from spreading any further.
Neutralizing and treatment materials
There are a number of materials that you can use for different types of spills, so be sure to do your research on what can cater to specific chemicals. In most cases, the type and quantity can rely on what you have in your workspace.
How to find the spill kit requirements of your lab
In some instances, there may be a chemical spill that a basic kit can’t clean – and this is why it can often be important to take a close look at what you could need before an accident happens. In general, monitoring the types and quantities of chemicals and learning more about their MSDSs can be crucial to determining the specific needs of your Stratex spill kit.
