How to Clean Up a Chemical Spill: Quick and Easy Methods

Chemical spills are stressful for any business: they damage property and put workers at risk. Accidents caused by industrial chemicals often lead to skin burns and permanent disfigurement – not what you want when forging an employee brand. 

Fortunately, chemical spill cleanup is relatively straightforward. Once you know what to do, you can apply the same methodology to every spill event, keeping your staff and premises safe. 

Quick Tips for Chemical Spill Cleanup

Here are some quick tips for cleaning up chemical spills rapidly: 

• Protect yourself by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) on your hands and arms, over the eyes, and any other body parts that might come into contact with dangerous and toxic substances.
  
  
• Dispose of the waste safely using the decontamination methods outlined by the manufacturer (most chemical producers will provide instructions for what you need to do).
  
  
• Confine the spill using emergency pads and other items.
  
  
• Always wash your hands after cleaning up spills to remove chemical residues.
  
  
• Assess the risk posed by the spill (considering the harm the compound could cause to people).
  
  

Preventing and Managing Chemical Spills

The best way to deal with chemical spills is to ensure they never occur in the first place. But how do you do that?

Here are some strategies you can use: 

• Train your staff to identify hazardous chemicals and show them techniques to clean them up safely.
  
  
• Always label your chemicals properly using international labeling standards as recommended by the OSHA (all compounds must have pictograms and signal words on them).
  
  
• Store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions in sealed containers to prevent them from harming your facilities or inventory.
  
  
• Insist that staff use funnels and spout caps when handling chemicals.
  
  
• Ensure working areas remain uncluttered and free from debris>

Alongside prevention, learning how to clean up a chemical spill is also essential. Being able to respond rapidly reduces the risk of harm and protects your premises from further damage. 

Step 1: Evacuate The Area

The first step is to stop anyone working in the affected area. Liquid chemicals can spread along the floor and leak onto everything else if high up, so maintain a boundary at a safe distance. 

Step 2: Assess And Contain

The next step is to assess the situation and contain the spill. Start by reading through the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (a standard accompaniment for all industrial chemicals). This document should run through the PPE you clean up safely. 

To contain the chemical spill, use spill kits (which should be on hand if you are organized). Place these along the points of least resistance where the liquid will flow. 

Step 3: Clean Up The Spill

To clean the spill, use the absorbent materials recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of these carefully.

Where possible, use compounds that can neutralize the spill (such as adding a base to an acid). These can render compounds harmless.

For All Your Chemical Needs 

Do you need a partner to assist you in matters like these? Then, trust North Industrial Chemicals for all your industrial chemical needs. Contact us today for a free quote.