Archive for the ‘spill-control’ Category

Selecting the Right Spill Sorbents

by Andrew

Spill Kit

You never know when a spill will occur, but you can be sure of how you’re going to handle it. Having the right spill sorbents on-hand can make all the difference when it comes to cleaning up a spill quickly and efficiently. Sorbents are the most common – and arguably the most important – parts of spill control kits because they can help contain and clean various types of spills.

That said, there are different types of sorbents to choose from when picking out spill kits for your workplace. In order to select the right spill sorbent for your application, it’s important to consider the environment in which you’ll be using it and how large spills (or even drips) are likely to be. Here are a few sorbents to consider utilizing in your spill kits:

  • Pads
    Widely considered to be industrial sorbent towels of sorts, pads are used for almost all types of spills, drips and leaks because they’re so easy to use. Plus, they absorb various liquids and won’t break the bank!
  • Rolls
    Though they are similar to pads, rolls provide even more coverage when you’re cleaning up spills.
  • Booms
    Booms are typically used to absorb, contain and skim oil and hydrocarbons from water, but they can also be used if there is a large amount of liquid you need to absorb.
  • Socks
    In an effort to contain and absorb spills, drips and leaks, socks are commonly wrapped around leaky pieces of machinery.
  • Pillows
    Perfect for when greater quantities of liquid need to be absorbed, pillows are usually found under repetitive drips, in a sump or on a large-volume spill site.
  • Granular
    Ideal for first response emergency scenarios, these multi-purpose absorbents can be utilized for spill cleanups, lab packings and stabilizations of free liquids.

From sorbents to spill kits, Emedco has all the products you need to keep workers safe in your facilities. Just give our team of professionals a call at (866) 748-5963 or visit Emedco.com to find safety solutions for every challenge.

A Quick Guide on the Essentials of Flammables and Combustibles

by Julianne Bass

hazmatcontainers

Flammable and combustible liquids are similar, but not quite the same. They differ in how hot they must become before they catch fire and explode. This is called the flash point. In most cases, combustible liquids don’t reach their flash point until they reach a very high temperature. To get a bit more technical, the flash point means the lowest temperature at which enough vapors collect at the liquid’s surface to catch fire in the presence of a source of ignition.

How to tell if a chemical is dangerous

To determine whether you are dealing with a flammable or combustible, take a look at the container. If the chemical is dangerous, there will be a warning label indicating that the contents are flammable or combustible. This means that you must use extreme caution in handling the chemical because the threat of fire or explosion is high. If there is any question as to whether a particular liquid is a flammable or combustible, treat it as though it is until you know for sure. Assuming that a liquid is just water or some other nonthreatening substance can result in a tragic accident.

Always Follow Storage Instruction

Have storage areas that are clearly marked as storage throughout your facility. However, do not assume there is no danger just because the liquids are tucked away in one of these locations. The designated areas will decrease the danger of an explosion, but can’t completely eliminate the possibility. Make sure you know where these storage areas are located, and do not go into them unless you have received special training. Only authorized employees should enter and interact with flammable or combustible liquids. Keep all ignition sources away from these areas including but not limited to lit cigarettes, sparks from tools and equipment, welding or cutting operations, and portable heating units, and even static electricity.

Use approved containers

Whenever you are getting one of these liquids for immediate use, use an approved container and labeling system that is in compliance with GHS regulations. Never use plastic jugs, jars, or buckets. Open containers can spill. Glass containers can break. Unless the container you plan to use has been approved for use with flammables and combustibles, it is not allowed. When you are not using the container to obtain a liquid, keep it closed to prevent fumes and vapors from escaping.

Good housekeeping is a vital step in this process, keep areas where flammables and combustibles are present clean at all times. If the unthinkable happens and a spill or fire occurs, the less clutter that can burn and accelerate the damage the better.

 

Why Use Spill Kits

by emedco

Spill kits have become an emergency staple in industrial facilities, especially those that manufacture, pack, store or transport hazardous materials. In fact, the Department of Transportation’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 173.3 requires the use of salvage drums that comply with government standards to properly address hazardous material spills or leaks during transport.

Emedco offers CFR 173.3-compliant spill containment kits that range from portable 20-gallon basic kits to 95-gallon ones perfect for high-volume spills. Kits are available in different varieties, specific to the type of hazardous material and spill.

XtremeSorb Wheeled Spill Kit

WHEEL IT. Easily move wheeled spill kits toward the accident area.

Still not convinced on why you should invest in spill kits? Read on to discover how spill control kits can benefit your business in more ways than one.

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Product Spotlight: Slips, Trips, & Falls

by emedco

wetfloorstand

Protect not only your workers but also your visitors with the proper slip, trip, and fall product sampling to cover every aspect of your workplace safety protection plan. Call attention to possible hazards in the workplace due to accidents, maintenance or repairs. Emedco offers Floor Safety for Slips, Trips & Falls in both portable or more permanent solutions.

Four Tips When Neutralizing Chemical Spills

by emedco

Handling chemical spills always requires knowledge and training. Unlike other types of spills that can be easily cleaned up with cotton or paper towels, chemical spills demand specific materials and proper spill control procedures. It is no surprise then that in most cases, cleaning up emergency spills is left to the pros with spill kits.

Letting the spill response personnel do their job is fine, but what if they are not around? What if the caustic spill needs immediate attention? What if leaving it untreated while waiting for the right people to come can exacerbate the situation?

Spill Control Products

CRYING OVER SPILT CHEMICALS? Don’t. There are many spill control products in the market to sort that out.

When you’re facing such a situation, it is best to neutralize the spill for easier and safer spill control. If you don’t, you risk exposing yourself to corrosive substances, which can be hazardous to your health.

Here are some tips you can follow when neutralizing chemical spills: (more…)

The Chosen Ones: Factors in Choosing Spill Containment Pallets

by emedco

Leaks and spills of corrosive liquids are a huge no-no in your business. They can pose risks not only to your property but to your workers as well. In fact, according to the Right-to-Know Network, chemical spills claimed the lives of 1,270 people and incurred more than $15 million worth of damages in 2012.

Therefore, spill containment pallets shouldn’t be missing in your business inventory, especially if you regularly handle chemicals. If an accident occurs, spill containment pallets prevent further damage by catching the leak or spill and containing it.

Eagle Nestable Spill Containment Pallet

THE TOUGH ONES. Polyethylene spill containment pallets provide excellent chemical resistance.

So if you don’t have spill containment pallets yet, then it’s time you coordinate with your purchasing manager about acquiring some. But what characteristics actually make a certain pallet a cut above the rest? Let us give you the 101 on spill containment.

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Next to Godliness: Top Cleaning Tools and Tips for Your Workplace

by emedco

No one wants to live in squalor. Just as well, no one wants to work in squalor since many people spend a significant portion of their time in the workplace. By this logic, your selection and maintenance of office cleaning supplies pose a critical bearing to the well-being of both your business and workers.

Rubbermaid WaveBreak High-Capacity Foot-Activated Combos

The mop bucket symbolizes modern efficiency in office sanitation.

However, keeping your offices tidy need not be a problem for you or your custodial staff. Mechanical janitorial tools nowadays make the tedious job of scrubbing down your office less of an ordeal. Here are some cleaning tools you need to remember when keeping your workplace in top shape.

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Mining Survey Ranks Safety First: Are You in Line?

by emedco

Safety is indeed the mining industry’s main priority, as indicated in the 2012 Worldwide Mining Survey.

Ventyx, an industrial software company and subsidiary of ABB, questioned representatives from 374 mining companies from all around the globe. When asked about the leading challenges faced by their companies, 31 percent put ensuring workforce safety on the topmost spot, followed by managing capital projects and maximizing production effectiveness.

Mine and Quarry Safety

Mining sites can be dangerous! Protect yourself with the right mining safety equipment.

The results are not entirely surprising. This is the second time in three years that workforce safety claimed the top spot of miners’ priorities. This only shows that the mining community is strongly focused on safety. The thousands of safety-first labels, signs and posters dominating most mining sites and facilities worldwide serve as evidence. (more…)

Three Tips for Winter Workplace Safety

by emedco

Did you know the average snowflake falls at a speed of 3.1 miles an hour? This means when weather forecasters say winter is coming, expect it to get here fast.

Snow Shovel

Use a snow shovel to clear snow off walkways with ease.

While winter means a time for snowboarding and snowman building, it’s also a dangerous time of year. In fact, in 2008 alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 108,500 deaths.

The leading cause of death during winter are coronary and respiratory diseases caused by extreme cold. Other common causes for injuries and even death are frostbites, as well as slips and falls due to icy conditions.

However, you can help your workers get through the winter months safely by stocking up on trusted winter products and by following these winter safety tips. (more…)

Road to Recovery: What Your Business Needs after Hurricane Sandy

by emedco

When it rains, it pours, and it is indeed pouring wildly over the East Coast as Hurricane Sandy continues to bring torrential rains, strong winds, and massive flooding on both coastal and inland areas.

Emergency Response Solutions

Clean up after the storm to resume your business operations.

Sandy, a Category 1 hurricane, is ravaging the country’s most populous region with winds and rains of enormous proportions. In fact, according to MailOnline, just the size of Sandy is enough for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to call it a “frankenstorm.”

The behemoth hurricane is running up the Atlantic on a collision course with two other weather systems: a strong northeaster and a jet stream to the west. If that’s not enough, there is also the full moon on Monday that will add two to three inches to the storm surge. As many meteorologists and forecasters put it, Sandy is bound to go down as the largest and most devastating hurricane in American history. (more…)