The handling of heavy chemicals is standard in the majority of factories. Even retail-based factories may be responsible for high volumes of cleaning liquids or other such hazards. And, that means chemical spills are a real possibility.
The risk of spills is just one of the reasons why factory work can be hazardous, and it’s something any boss should address. Failure to do so could leave legal aspects of your business uncovered, and could even see you facing closure.
But, how exactly does a factory manager address the risk of spills like these? Obviously, proper employee training matters, but it isn’t enough in itself. It’s also essential that thorough and fast cleaning processes are put in place. This is especially vital when you consider that run-off from spills like these can lead to significant environmental damage. That’s not something any company owner wants to face in an age where businesses are increasingly being held accountable for their impact.
Of course, in the case of a large-scale spill, fast clean up can be a challenge. Luckily, that’s a challenge you should be able to face by putting the following procedures in place.
Consider spillages during factory design
Making sure that you can address spillages fast starts during your factory constructions. Simple things like providing different bays ensures no spillages can get out of hand. Equally, installing resistant and sealed epoxy flooring as found on https://impactfloors.co.uk/sectors/factory/ means you can clean even the worst spills with ease. Even something as simple as carefully considering your factory layout could make a significant difference here.
Train staff to stop spills at their source
Without proper training, staff may focus on cleaning a spill without stopping it at the source. This is sure to make their efforts ineffectual and can thus leave them and the environment at increased risk. To make sure it doesn’t happen, always train staff to go to spillage sources first. Something as simple as correcting a fallen oil drum could make a significant difference to the speed with which a clean up can take place. Not to mention that fast action like this can limit any potential damage by preventing further leakage.
Always stock equipment for spillage containment
Limiting the damage of a spill should always be able spillage containment. If staff have to ineffectually tackle a large spill with standard mops, there’s more risk of chemicals getting where they shouldn’t. Instead, always stock the right equipment for efficient and fast containment. Spill kits like those found at https://www.seton.co.uk are, by far, the best option here. These come in a variety of sizes from mobile to large drums. They include things like absorbable pads, and ensure the correct disposal of all equipment after clean up is complete.
Where there is a factory, there is a risk of damaging spills. Yet, as you can see from these points, even chemical spills don’t need to cause panic. By implementing precautions beforehand, you can ensure a fast clean up which reduces damage every single time.
