Staying Safe at Work: The Role of Spill Control & Prevention

Spills in the workplace: they’re extremely common and can range from minor inconveniences to major health and safety risks. Knowing how to both control and prevent spills is a critical element of any safe workplace, and as a key decision-maker, you should be aware of the importance of spill control, the regulations covering it and the steps you can take to manage these incidents effectively. Don’t panic when you have a spill: stay prepared, informed and ready to act with this comprehensive learning resource from Bryson.

We’ve all been there: spilling mugs of coffee over our laps, or dropping that bottle of water as we’re getting out of the van. Those are no big deal. However, where hazardous materials are concerned, site managers must take immediate action to protect themselves, their teams, the public and the environment. But what are the key regulations you must follow to stay compliant and keep your workplace safe?

Spill Control: Understanding the Importance & Taking Action

There’s more to spill control than simply ‘mopping things up’. In the United Kingdom, a number of legal guidelines outline key measures and practices that should be followed. The UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) outlines specific regulations under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). This key piece of legislation mandates your responsibility for risk assessments, as well as appropriate control measures including spill management.
Whilst COSHH contains some of the most important guidelines you should follow, there are two other key regulations that you should be aware of:

• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR): While primarily focused on fall prevention, these regulations also touch on the importance of maintaining clean and safe work environments to prevent slip and fall accidents.
• Environmental Protection Act: This act requires businesses to prevent environmental damage, which includes managing spills to prevent soil and water pollution.

Spill Prevention: Understanding the Importance & Taking Action

So - now you understand the key regulations. But why are these in place in the first place?

The key thing to bear in mind is that these regulations aren’t only in place to ensure the highest levels of sanitation. Over and beyond anything else, these regulations are in place to put safety compliance and environmental stewardship at the heart of your spill containment & prevention strategy. Let’s take a look at why spill prevention is so important in your workplace:

Spill Prevention: Understanding the Importance & Taking Action

So - now you understand the key regulations. But why are these in place in the first place?

The key thing to bear in mind is that these regulations aren’t only in place to ensure the highest levels of sanitation. Over and beyond anything else, these regulations are in place to put safety compliance and environmental stewardship at the heart of your spill containment & prevention strategy. Let’s take a look at why spill prevention is so important in your workplace:

How to Prevent & Control Spills

When it comes to preventing and controlling spills, there are a few essential steps you should include in any housekeeping process. These should include keeping all work areas clean and tidy and regularly inspecting containers & storage areas for signs of wear or damage that could lead to leaks or spills. Importantly, you should also establish clear signage and labelling to inform and remind workers of the hazards and specific location of spill control materials. Aside from those essential actions, we’ve outlined four effective strategies for spill control:

Preventing & Controlling Spills: Essential Products

Awareness, training and planning should form the core of your spill control and prevention strategy. To put that strategy into action should a spill occur, there are a number of products your worksite should have at hand. Below, we’ve listed some Bryson essentials:

• Spill kits: Customisable to the types of liquids handled (we stock General Spill Kits, Chemical Spill Kits and Maintenance Emergency Spill Kits), these kits include absorbents, PPE, and disposal bags, ensuring that you are prepared for any type of spill.
• Absorbents: Available in forms such as pads, rolls, and granules, these products are designed to quickly contain and clean up liquids. Our Absorbent Maintenance Pads and Recycled Oil Spill Granules are some of our best sellers in this area.
• Containment solutions: Items like drip trays and berms provide secondary containment to capture leaks or spills during the handling and storage of hazardous substances. Our Maintenance Spill Kit Holdall contains everything you need in the event of a spill.
• Drain protection: Covers and seals can prevent spills from entering the drainage system, mitigating the risk of environmental contamination. Our Witches Hat Drain-Guard, for example, has been specifically engineered to filter stormwater waste before it becomes an issue in the water system.

Don’t discover the importance of spill prevention and control by accident. Take affirmative action now to build the culture of safety your organisation needs.