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Spill Control Essentials: Guide to Kits & Absorbents UK
A Practical Guide to Buying Spill Control Essentials
Slips, trips and falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, accounting for around 40% of major incidents. At the same time, UK legislation around spill control and environmental protection continues to tighten. Businesses now face growing pressure to actively manage the risks of spills and leaks involving hazardous substances.
Whether you operate in manufacturing, warehousing, laboratories or workshops, having a well-planned spill response system is essential - not just for compliance, but to safeguard your people, your reputation and the environment.
To help make the right purchasing decisions easier, FyterTech Nonwovens UK, a leading manufacturer of spill control products, bring you this practical buying guide.
Understanding Absorbent Types: Pads, Rolls, Socks, Pillows and Booms
The type of absorbent you choose should match the nature and scale of the spill. Here’s a breakdown of the most common formats:
Absorbent Pads
- Designed for small to medium spills.
- Fast-absorbing, ideal for direct placement on leaks.
- Suitable for workshops, production areas and maintenance departments.
Absorbent Rolls
- Continuous format allows coverage of larger areas.
- Can be cut to size as needed.
- Often used along walkways, around equipment or in spill-prone zones.
Absorbent Socks
- Flexible tubular design for containing spills at the source.
- Used around baseboards, machinery and doorways to prevent spread.
- Ideal for tight spaces or perimeter control.
Absorbent Pillows
- Offer greater capacity than pads for persistent leaks or drips.
- Best suited under equipment or in sumps where pads are less effective.
Absorbent Booms
- Designed for marine and water-based use.
- Float on the surface to contain and absorb oil.
- Suitable for use around docks, marinas or during outdoor oil spill response.
Spill Absorbent Applications: Maintenance, Oil-Only and Chemical
All absorbents are available as Pads, Rolls, Socks, and Pillows, and can be purchased individually or as part of a specialist Spill Kit.
Larger kits are available with refill options to reduce long-term cost and waste.
Maintenance Absorbents
- Suitable for general-purpose use across a variety of liquids.
- Typically grey or black in colour.
- Effective on water, oils, solvents and non-aggressive chemicals.
- A versatile solution for day-to-day industrial spills.
Oil-Only Absorbents
- Hydrophobic design absorbs oil and repels water.
- White in colour for quick identification.
- Ideal for outdoor use, marine environments and oily workshops.
- Remain buoyant even when saturated.
Chemical Absorbents
- Bright yellow for visibility and chemical hazard recognition.
- Designed to absorb aggressive liquids including acids, alkalis and solvents.
- Commonly used in laboratories, chemical plants and regulated environments.
Spill Control and Legal Compliance in the UK
In the UK, spill control is a legal requirement under regulations such as:
- The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- The Environmental Protection Act
- Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs)
Similar legislation also applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These rules mandate proper storage, handling and clean-up procedures for hazardous substances.
Failing to comply may result in:
- Fines or prosecution
- Environmental contamination
- Reputational damage
- Increased insurance liability
Staying compliant means having the correct spill kits in place, using secondary containment, and ensuring staff are trained and equipped to respond quickly to incidents.
Choosing the Right Spill Kit
Spill Kits combine essential absorbents, PPE and disposal bags into a single, easy-to-use package. Kits are grouped by application type to make selection straightforward:
- Maintenance Spill Kits – General-purpose kits for industrial liquids and mixed fluids.
- Oil-Only Spill Kits – Designed specifically to absorb hydrocarbons without water uptake.
- Chemical Spill Kits – Contain materials suitable for aggressive chemical and hazardous liquid clean-up.
Kits are available in a variety of sizes, from compact grab bags to large wheeled bins.
Simplify Spill Control with the Right Equipment
Effective spill management protects your workforce, the environment and your business. By selecting the right mix of spill absorbents and spill kits, you can reduce risks, stay compliant with UK regulations, and respond swiftly to incidents.
Explore the full range supplied by FyterTech Nonwovens UK, including:
- Absorbent Pads, Rolls, Socks, Pillows and Booms
- Maintenance, Oil-Only and Chemical Spill Kits
- Spill Containment Equipment such as drip trays, bunds and drain covers
FYTERTECH ABSORBENT PRODUCTS CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY
Spill Absorbent Granules
In the market for highly absorbent granules? We offer Absonet recycled granules, Oil-Dri Granules and Spill Aid Granules.
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