The method for cleaning up a hazardous substance will depend on what the substance is. Employers should have a response plan in place and employees must be adequately trained to respond correctly in such an event.

The following steps can help perform hazardous spill cleanup tasks safely:

Evaluate the risk: Analyse the spill and determine what hazards the spill presents and evaluate the level of risk. Take any immediate actions that are necessary. For instance, the area may need to be evacuated and emergency services notified if the spill is high risk.

Protect the area: Protecting the area, means limiting access to the spill, so others aren’t affected by it, and that the situation isn’t worsened. You may need to open or close ventilation depending on what you are dealing with.

Prepare to handle the spill: Get your Spill Kit and any tools required to handle the spill. The Spill Kit should contain instructions that you should read and follow exactly. Put on any personal protective equipment required.

Stop the spill at the source: Prevent or limit the spill from getting worse or doing any more damage, which will most likely involve stopping the spill at the source. If you cannot stop it at the source, limit its spread in a small an area as possible, using the pollution control hierarchy.

Clean the spill: Using the tools and methods that are outlined in you method statement and the instructions for the spill kit clean up the spill.

Tidy Area & Restock: The final steps are to tidy the area that the spill occurred in. If the area is safe, return it back to normal use. Restock any equipment or tools that were used.

The contents of a spill kit will vary based on the type of substances it is designed for. However, generally speaking a chemical spill kit contents should include:

• Protective clothing such as gloves, overalls, or safety goggles
• Absorbent materials such as towels, spill pads, or spill socks
• Disposal bags with tapes
• Dustpan and a polypropylene broom
• Container for waste

Hazmat is the abbreviation of hazaroudous materials. A hazmat spill kit is therefore any spill kit designed to handle hazardous materials. There are a wide variety of these on the market. When purchasing one, it is vital to ensure it is designed to handle the type of materials you have on site.