When faced with a chemical spill or any other type of liquid that can cause an issue you need to have a few spill kits around. In fact there are some very specific rules regarding having spill kits in place. The Health and Safety Executive are very clear on what needs to be done and what needs to be provided. The provision of spill kits to staff is a legal requirement that is covered by COSHH which means the Care of substances hazardous to health. This is taken very seriously by this Government agency and must be adhered to.
Spill Kits from Hyde Park Environmental are just one of the many of the suppliers of these essential items. Anything can count as being a hazardous spill. For the most part this can simply be a tip of a bucket of water filled with detergent. This makes it a trip hazard for anyone not made aware of the spill. This can cause serious injury and can lead to a raft of litigation from the person, or persons involved.
The worst kind of spill is that of the release of chemicals. If these are not dealt with straight away then there is a good chance that an even more serious issue could arise. The fumes from certain chemicals are just as dangerous as if you come into direct contact with the liquid. There is even more scope for further problems so it should be dealt with immediately.
Summary
This article explains why spill kits are a legal requirement for many workplaces under COSHH regulations, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. It notes that even a simple liquid spill can be a trip hazard leading to injury and litigation, while chemical spills are more serious, since fumes can be as dangerous as direct contact and need immediate action to avoid further problems.
Questions this article raises
- What items are typically included in a standard workplace spill kit?
- How quickly must a chemical spill be dealt with under COSHH rules?
- What are the legal consequences for a business that doesn’t provide spill kits?
