Industrial Equipment: Now and Later

Factories and Plants: Do You Have a Chemical Spill Plan in Place?

8 July 2020

Laurie Washington

Factories and industrial plants handle many different types of fluids during the workday. Some of your fluids contain acids and other potentially dangerous or harsh ingredients. If your workers accidentally spill fluids during the day, you need a chemical spill plan in place to handle the messes. Learn why you need a chemical spill plan and what to use in it below.

1. How Important Is a Chemical Spill Plan?

Chemical spill plans—also called containment plans, hazardous material spill plans, and emergency response plans—contain everything you need to know, do, and use to clean up hazardous substances. Hazardous substances, such as flammable motor oil and acid, can be dangerous if mishandled or left attended. Some types of substances can release toxic odors or combustible vapors into the environment as well. 

A spill chemical plan contains a specific list of protocols your employees must abide by or follow during the cleanup process. The protocols may include:

• instructions on how to contain certain chemicals safely
• details on what type of clothing or gear to wear during the cleanup process
• information on where to document or report accidental spills

Your plan may also contain a list of special supplies you need to use to contain dangerous spills properly, including spill absorbent products.

2. What Should You Add to Your Chemical Spill Plan?

Spill absorbent products, such as polymeric pads, contain special fibers or materials that soak up chemicals quickly. The materials allow you to contain spills of any size and consistency. The pads generally come in bale, roll, and sheet forms.

In addition to absorbent pads, you may want to add chemical spill kits to your plan. The kits may contain chemical absorbent socks and other unique products you may need for the future. Absorbent socks allow you to block off, encircle, or isolate spills that could potentially travel or leak to other places. 

Before you add absorbent products to your spill containment plan, you want to talk to a supplier first. A supplier may offer a large number or variety of absorbent products you can use for your factory or plant. You may want to create a list of chemicals or fluids you use in your building before you contact a supplier. The list may make the selection process easier for you. Also, be sure to create a user-friendly manual for each product you obtain for your spill plan. The manuals may make it easier for your workers to use containment products later.

For more information about chemical spill absorbents, contact a supplier today.

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