Using the right absorbents to increase safety and productivity

The hazards of spills

Spill control of hazardous substances in marine, chemical, oil, gas and heavy industries is very much a part of standard operating procedures. Approximately 20% of all workplace injuries in industrial facilities are due to slips, trips and falls caused mainly by leaks and spills from substances such as oil, lubricants, coolants, cutting fluids, battery acid, solvents, chemicals and fuel.

It is not always possible to prevent spills and leaks. It is costly to shut down an entire production line due to a leaking valve, making it more efficient to contain the leak with absorbents until a repair can be made later. Alternatives like overspray can create a slippery and hazardous surface for employees and equipment such as forklifts. Hence, having effective spill control will increase safety, productivity and profitability in your facility.

The false economy of granular

Given the high cost to safety and productivity, it is important to use the right absorbents to manage spill control on your facility.  75% of the industrial companies use granular such as clay to clean up spills and leaks because they have the misconception that granular is the cheapest absorbent.

Clay may be cheaper to buy, but it ends up being much more expensive when you factor in the cost of disposal. The total cost of using clay can be easily double the cost of using absorbents. In addition, granular clean up is difficult and labor intensive, and the small particles can easily enter and damage machinery or your finished product. Clay has also limited chemical resistance, making it unsuitable for dealing with chemical spills and leaks. Absorbent rolls are the smart choices in spill control today.

Use the right absorbents to save money

When choosing absorbents, consider the effectiveness of the absorbent, its durability and the cost of disposal, instead of simply basing your purchase on the outright price.

Are you using and throwing away a heavyweight absorbent that only has a few drops of oil on it or is only partially saturated? Are you wasting money by using a large size absorbent pad to clean up a small spill or leak? Or are you using the wrong type of absorbent to clean up chemical or oil substances?

Absorbent comes in many forms. Based on your specific requirements, you should be purchasing the right size and type to suit your needs. Perforated rolls can provide flexible-size pads as needed to save you money. Absorbent rolls are also rated by their capacity to absorb chemical, oil or general substances. Using the right type of absorbent enhances your spill control efforts. You should also assess the basis weight and disposal timing of the absorbents. Some absorbents are more labor-intensive or costly to dispose of; others have less absorbency and must be disposed of more often, using more product and time. More frequent disposal also means more frequent replacement of absorbents, requiring additional time.

For specific guidance on how you can create a safer plant, consider an absorbent usage survey conducted by an industry professional. These surveys are often done free of charge. A thorough survey can help you identify specific areas and ways to improve safety through proper absorbent usage, and can reveal some eye-opening savings opportunities.

Complying with requirements

Absorbents play a vital role in compliance with local and state regulations. In Asia, a multitude of agencies and regulations are in place to ensure proper procedures of spill control are implemented. The strict requirements for clean, dry workplace floors, and non-compliance can cost you thousands of dollars in fines. For example, Singapore has the Workplace Safety and Health Act (‘WSHA’) and National Environmental Agency (NEA) to enforce a strong safety culture in all factories and workplaces, and in regulating the control and disposal of spills.

For the Maritime industry, Malaysia has a host of regulations including the National Contingency Plan - Oil Spill Control, Contingency Plan for Oil Spill Combat Team and Merchant Shipping Examination for Certificate of Asian Oil Spill Response Action Plan (ASEAN OSPAR) to safeguard against oil spillage. In Thailand, companies can consult the Department of Industrial Work and Pollution Control Department on the latest regulations on spill control. Wherever you are in Asia, there will be strict legislations on spill control and to have people and plans in place to clean up any hazardous waste.

Speak to a professional

Almost every facility is required to have a plan for Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC). Strategically locating spill kits should be part of that plan. A professional supplier can help you identify where to place spill kits and ways to comply – both inside the plant for spill containment and control, and outside of your facility to be used as countermeasures to minimize environmental impact if a spill occurs.

Speak to an industry professional to develop your SPCC plan. Once you have a plan, your absorbent supplier may be able to assist in training your employees on absorbent product usage, which can help you to implement your plan. Not only will you be able to avoid costly penalties by complying with regulations, you will also see immediate cost savings with the right absorbent usage, as well as improvements in safety and efficiency in your facilities.

About Brady Corporation

Brady Corporation is a leading manufacturer of complete solutions that identify and protect premises, products and people. We have core expertise in spill control, high performance label and,signs, lockout/tagout devices, printing system and software, and provide regulatory compliance consultation.

Founded in 1914, Brady has millions of  customers in marine, chemical, oil & gas, food & beverage, electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, education, medical, aerospace, defense, mass transit, mining, and a variety of other industries.

Brady Corporation was directly involved in the spill control during the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

To learn more about Brady’s complete line of products and service, kindly visit www.bradyid.com.sg or email ContactUs_SA@bradycorp.com for more details.