A recent case study highlights some common issues we encounter on site. So ask yourself, are your spill kits accessible?

Are your spill kits accessible

We recently completed a spill review and site walk with a food manufacturing company in the North West. We assisted them in reviewing their emergency spill response equipment and procedures.

It was clear to see the company takes protecting the environment seriously. They had had a well thought out Pollution Incident Response Plan, complete with site map documenting location of the equipment.

However, one spill kit situated near to the site boundary was secured using a combination padlock to prevent tampering. (more common than you might believe). We suggested having a look inside the kit to ensure all of the contents were correct. Unfortunately, our host didn't know the combination, neither did anyone on site at the time. In fact the person who had installed the lock had left the business.

Clearly in the case of an emergency spill this would have prevented or seriously delayed the time to take action.

This is why we always complete site walks with prospective partners, having a second pair of eyes may reveal issues that otherwise may go unnoticed.

Are your spill kits practical? 

Another common issue we encounter on sites are static spill kits. Large containers, or grit bins containing absorbents and spill equipment. Would these be easy to access in an emergency? We recommend  you opt for spill kits in wheeled containers so you can move the kit to the area required easily. This drastically improves response time which can make all the difference when an emergency incident occurs.

Having a robust spill management process in place is essential for ensuring your kits are well maintained and ready for use in an emergency. If you would like any help or guidance in organising your spill management please get in touch.

We encourage you to consider, are your spill kits accessible in an emergency?