Collection: Spill Kits

The contents of your spill kit should be contained in a plastic bin that’s been properly labeled and stored. This bin, at minimum, should contain absorbent socks, absorbent pads, absorbent pillows, and items like safety gloves, safety goggles, and disposal bags. Facilities should also have general purpose and oil-only kits.

In general, the contents of a spill kit have a shelf life of 5 years. However, it’s important to consider the way the spill kit is stored. Exposure to direct sunlight and temperature extremes can decrease the shelf life of absorbents. Absorbents that have been properly stored can last longer than 5 years, though 5 years is the general rule of thumb.

This can depend on the facility, but spill kits should be stored as close as possible to where liquids are stored. For example, oil-only spill kits should be stored as close as possible to where the oil-based liquids are.

Portable spill kits, however, are meant to be stored in vehicles for quick and easy access to absorbents in job sites.

Absorbents are materials made with foam or granules that can absorb liquids like water, oil, and other spills. They are typically used for cleaning up accidental spills. If your workplace works with liquids, especially hazardous ones, ensure you have spill kits in place for more efficient cleanup.

It is important for an absorbent to quickly clean up a liquid spill, especially hazardous ones. Some fluids are flammable, infectious, or can cause physical injuries so it is important that such spills are cleaned up immediately. Even non-hazardous liquids can pose a slipping hazard.

By itself, unused TRADESAFE absorbent materials will not irritate your skin. But if you are going to use it for cleanup whether for hazardous or non-hazardous liquids, make sure to use protective gloves and other appropriate PPE to protect yourself. Once used, make sure to follow proper disposal procedures.

Yes, you can use our spill kits to clean up biofuels, oily liquids, and other biodiesels. If you need a thorough cleanup, use universal absorbents. If you only want to remove biofuel from a body of water, use our oil-only absorbent kits.

If you have NOT used the absorbent material yet, you can have it disposed of in a solid waste landfill. If you have already used it to clean up hazardous or non-hazardous liquids, check with your local state for the waste disposal rules and regulations. You can also refer to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more details onhazardous waste disposal.