Manufacturing processes rely on chemicals or lubrication substances to keep their machines running efficiently and safely. Unfortunately, these same liquid substances pose serious hazards if they are spilled. Which is why BSC expert Michael Rowe says its critical to have a risk management plan in place as well as appropriate spill solutions.
“A manufacturing site will typically have conveyors, chains, drives, motors and all types of moving equipment that requires lubrication or oil. These products will be stored on site, but also need to be transported safely from point to point – therefore solutions such as spill pallets and access to spill kits are important,” says the BSC Product Manager for Fluid Transfer and Safety. “Cleaning chemicals are also regularly used at manufacturing sites, especially in food manufacturing. When using these there is always potential for a spill which creates a health and safety hazard for employees on site but also, it can threaten or compromise the safety of the product.”
The stakes are high when there is a spill, so Michael says it’s essential to have the right products in the right areas.
“Each plant or facility will have different requirements depending on the chemicals that are handled on site,” he points out. “BSC supply a wide range of Enpac spill solutions, and we have a great partnership with Enpac and often consult together with customers to develop a risk management plan.”
One of the product types that Enpac provide are spill pallets.
“These are excellent for transporting drums of chemicals, acting as a basin that will capture any spillage and contain it safely in the pallet,” explains Michael. “They’re highly durable, corrosion, and chemically-resistant. They also come in a range of sizes from one to eight drums and are designed to be EPA compliant with a footprint that is user friendly and suitable for most production floors.”
One of the more popular Enpac solutions that BSC supply are their spill kits. Each spill kit comprises a large drum that contains all the equipment required for a clean-up, such as absorbent pads, flexible bunding, mats, safety glasses, gloves and so on. Enpac have 12 categories of spill kits including drum spill kits, tote spill kits and multi-responder SHT spill kits which come in wheeled containers that can easily be rolled around site and sealed for safe disposal.
“While it’s important to have preventative measures in place, it’s equally important to have a spill response plan and that’s what the spill kits are designed for,” elaborates Michael. “There are many different types, so we encourage customers to consult with us, and we can advise which one will work best for their needs. Enpac can also custom-design spill kits.”
Besides the obvious occupational health and safety risks, Michael says there are environmental implications to consider in the event of a chemical spill.
“If there’s seepage into the soil or if certain chemicals get into the waterways there are all kinds of serious consequences, so it’s vital that manufacturers have the right preventative spill solutions and response kits in place,” cautions Michael. “The losses from a production point of view can also be huge if clean-up is required. If the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) are involved, that may incur fees and potentially even shut up a site for good. I can’t stress how important it is to have reliable solutions in place.”
BSC’s relationship with Enpac has evolved from providing off the shelf spill container products to fully customisable solutions.
“Enpac solutions complement our BSC product portfolio which includes a wide range of lubricants and cleaning agents,” says Michael. “The resulting benefits for our customers include highly effective, quality products and a bespoke service.”
