Spill Control Solutions for the Medical and Healthcare industry

Spill solutions for medical and healthcare premises are usually targeted at maintenance, cleaning, and to recovering spilled fluids to minimise any slip risk.  In healthcare buildings and vehicles absorbents are primarily used in cleaning and spill recovery. In public access areas this can further extend to cleaning food preparation and serving areas.

Please note that the spill solutions indicated here do not cover medical grade absorbents.

What type of spill control absorbent is best suited for Medical and Healthcare?

As a general rule of thumb most fluids used or spilled will be of a water-based nature, occasionally they might be oil-based but this can be accommodated at the same time with Maintenance type absorbents.

Grey/black Maintenance absorbents are hydrophilic and take up both water-based fluids along with oil-based fluids at the same time. These are the best all-round option for recovering spills of any type.

Yellow Chemical absorbents are also hydrophilic and will absorb both oil- and water-based fluids at the same time. The yellow colour of these absorbents indicates that they should be used for recovering aggressive fluids such as acids and alkalis and once used should be treated and disposed of with extreme caution.

In most instances Maintenance grey/ black absorbents will be best suited to the vast majority of tasks. Occasionally in laboratories there may be a requirement for chemical absorbents to recover a spilled or leaked aggressive substance.

Sustainable spill control options

As an alternative to the above we offer a range of environmentally friendlier absorbents. These are either made from recycled meltblown polypropylene or are made from cellulose natural fibres. These environmentally friendly absorbents can be included towards achieving an ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard.

Natural fibre absorbents are in some cases more absorbent. However, choosing an environmentally friendly absorbent needs to be considered carefully as a used or contaminated absorbent will need to be disposed of exactly the same way as a meltblown polypropylene absorbent.

What spill control absorbent formats are best suited to Medical and Healthcare?

Spill Absorbent Pads are available in different weights (light- through to -heavy weights) and also in un-bonded, bonded and laminated constructions. As a guide, the heavier the weight, the more fluid it will absorb. With regards to the construction, laminated pads are stronger and feature less linting (stray fibres becoming detached), bonded pads are slightly more absorbent, and un-bonded pads the most absorbent but not as strong. For wiping, rubbing and general cleaning we generally recommend a medium weight single laminate Maintenance pad. All but the un-bonded pads feature perforations so that just the correct amount of absorbent can be selected. Pads are available in cardboard boxes that also act as a dispenser. They are also available in a clear plastic bag as an alternative option.

Spill Absorbent Rolls are exactly the same as pads but instead are formed of longer lengths of absorbent which are rolled up. Rolls of absorbent are ideal for rolling out over larger areas to collect spilled or leaked fluids. We recommend a single laminate absorbent with the meltblown core face down. This maximises the absorption of fluids whilst reducing the slip risk. Ask us for our recommendations for your logistics location process.

Spill Absorbent Socks are used to contain the fluid by providing a barrier whilst also absorbing the liquid. There might be a requirement for these if a leak or larger spill occurs.

Absorbent Granules are loose absorbent applied to a spill. In our opinion pads will always provide a better spill recovery option when all aspects of safety, cost and disposal are taken into consideration. However, we do provide a range of granular absorbent for those who prefer it.

Safety-first High-Visibility spill absorbents  

Our Spillfyter high-visibility range of absorbents are an excellent choice for areas of hard floor surfaces that see regular foot fall. These high-visibility absorbents are perfect for drawing attention to and warning of the slip-risk of spilled or leaked fluids whilst also recovering the spill or leaked fluid at the same time. These high visibility absorbents can be used at entrances, in reception areas, communal areas or in areas where staff or patients gather such as canteens and day rooms.

Bright yellow in colour, these absorbents will recover both oil-based and water-based fluids. They are made from meltblown polypropylene, which ensures they will not react with any chemicals present so are a perfect go-to first choice.

For unplanned liquid spills the high-visibility absorbent with warning text in three languages and graphics warns of the slip risk and recovers the leak or spill at the same time.

This range is available in pads, rolls, and wipes. They also feature a handy range of boxed dispensers and warning stands.

Choosing a spill kit for the medical and healthcare industry

To keep people safe from slips, trips or injuries it is important to have enough absorbent available to recover spills when they happen. In most cases a spill kit provides what is required in a convenient container.

Portable spill kits can be taken to the spill location quickly. These take the form of clip-close spill kits in either 15, 20 or 30ltr sizes. A vinyl satchel 50ltr edition is also available for larger spills or leaks.

Wheeled spill kits allow a large quantity of absorbents to be quickly moved to the site of a spill. The 120ltr or 240ltr wheelie bins options would probably be the most suitable. Ask us for more details about which spill kits we recommend for different locations and spill types.

Specialist spill kits are designed with specific fluids in mind. We supply spill kits to recover mercury, bodily fluids and other unique applications. These spill kits are particularly suited for hospitals, health centres, care homes and other medical use buildings.

Spill Storage

We have a wide range of storage cupboards in metal and plastic. Available in different sizes and shapes, ask us for more details to suit specific requirements.

Spill Control Compliance 

31% of workplace accidents involve slips, trips or falls. This comes at a cost of around £512m a year to UK industry and businesses. These devastating costs to both individuals and to businesses is the reason why having a liquid safety solution is so important. Contact us today for more information.

HSE - The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone affected by their work, so far as is reasonably practicable, which means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the risk in terms of money, time or trouble. This includes taking steps to control slip and trip risks.

Employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others and must use any safety equipment provided.

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3)

Build on the HSWA and include duties on employers to assess risks (including slip and trip risks) and take action where necessary.

Management of health and safety at work

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (Regulation 12)

Require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People should be able to move around safely.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Site Surveys for spill control and Spill Recovery training in the medical and healthcare industry

To help you identify spill and leak risks we can provide a site survey. An experienced and highly knowledgeable member of our team can attend a site to assess and provide a written report identifying the risks. Along with the risk identification, a suggestions of liquid safety solutions will be made available.

To allow a business’s employees to better respond to a spill we can provide spill training to ensure that in the event of a spill everybody knows how to safely respond and follow a set procedure.