Staying Safe - Cleaning Up An Hydraulic Oil Spill

Accidents happen. Knowing how to deal with them is the real challenge. Oil spills are one of the most common types of chemical spills in the workplace. If you work in an environment where an oil spill could happen, it is important to know how to deal with it. Spills of this kind can be dangerous and safety is paramount. As would be expected, hydraulic spills can increase the chance of slip and fall accidents, as well as there being the possibility of it catching fire due to oil being highly flammable. Below are some tips on how to make sure you stay safe during these situations, and the equipment you can use to clean up the spill. If an oil spill happens in your workplace, you should stop and think before you go straight ahead and try and clean it up. Do you have the correct equipment to seal with such a thing? So, how do you stay safe when working with oil ? ●    Direct contact with oil should be avoided. If you do somehow come into contact with the oil, you should wash the area carefully with soap and water and make sure any policies that the business has are carried out effectively. ●    Be sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with the chemicals. Equipment such as gloves, protective trousers and boots are likely to be needed, depending on the task at hand. ●    Always use dispersants in line with the suppliers instructions●    Perform a risk assessment before use  If a spill happens, what equipment can you use to clean it up? Absorbent Granules Granules are an effective way to clean on any hydraulic spills. They can also sort out the spill quickly, which is just what you would need in this kind of situation. Absorbent Pads The fibres on these kinds of pads will repel water based fluid such as oil and great for absorbing spills. General Purpose Spill Sock Spill socks can be strategically placed during a spill to help control the magnitude of the situation. They are also good for leaks as they can contain them effectively and help to maintain health and safety! So, there are various ways in which spills can be taken care of, it depends on the situation and the policies in the workplace. If you’re unsure of what you need, please get in touch with us. 

If you require any further information on the spill absorbents available at Flowfit, please call 01584 876 033 or contact us.