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Spill kits are pre-assembled emergency response packs containing absorbent pads, socks, cushions, and personal protective equipment to safely contain and clean up hazardous liquid spills in the workplace. SSI Environmental, based in Dublin 15, supplies a comprehensive range of oil spill kits, chemical spill kits, and universal spill kits in sizes from 20 litres to 1,000 litres, including wall-mounted, vehicle-mounted, and wheelie bin formats, for compliant spill management across Irish industrial, construction, and commercial sites.

What are Spill Kits?

Spill kits are used to clean up spills at work. They have special materials to soak up spills so they can be thrown away safely. Spill kits should be kept in places where liquids might leak or where work vehicles are used a lot.

A good spill kit should have:

  • Absorbent cushions
  • Absorbent socks
  • Absorbent pads
  • Trash bags for throwing away waste
  • Gloves
  • Goggles

There are different spill kits for different liquids. Make sure you get the right one for the liquid you are working with.

Chemical spill kits are used for strong acids and alkalis. They can soak up almost any chemical quickly. Oil spill kits can clean up oil from land and water. The kit soaks up the oil, leaving the rest of the liquid behind. This is great for cleaning up oil spills in water, like in marine accidents.

 Bag Spill Kit

The Shoulder Bag Spill Kit helps you clean up spills fast. Each kit comes in a portable bag that you can carry with you. Inside the kit, you’ll find spill cushions, socks, pads, protective gear, and trash bags. Keep this kit in your factory or warehouse, or take it with you in your work vehicle for emergencies. It’s perfect for dealing with spills right away, especially if you don’t have plant nappies to help.

Spill Kits contain a set of equipment specifically designed to control, contain and clean up hazardous substances and is an essential piece of equipment when harmful substances are at risk of being spilled.

Dangerous substances include:

  • Solvents
  • Fuels
  • Hazardous chemicals
  • Oils
  • Sewage
  • Protein fluids
  • Petroleum
  • Gasses
  • Corrosives

Whist all spill kits should contain general safety equipment such as safety goggles, disposable bags and gloves, specific materials within them vary depending on the potentially spilled substance. The types of equipment can be split into two categories, loose sorbents and materials.

Loose sorbents

Loose sorbents are used to both absorb and neutralise hazardous liquids so they can be easily disposed of with minimum risk to anyone involved. There are also multiple different types of loose sorbents all of which specialise in different substances. The main ones are as followed:

Diamix

Mineral based granules which are used to absorb oil, grease, water, solvents, chemicals and other liquids on solid surfaces. They also neutralises flammable, toxic and explosive substances so they can be disposed of safely.

Quick Eco Gel

Absorb slurry solids and creates a gel like substance which can be disposed of in any standard waste bin within minutes.

Safety Sorbent

Often used as an anti-slip agent, it quickly absorbs liquids making them easy to clean up.

Green Stuff

Absorbs any chemical excluding cyanide solutions, decomposable peroxides, and concentrated nitric acid.

Materials

Other resources used to clear up hazardous substances are categorised as materials. These products achieve their purpose in multiple different ways.

The main ones are as followed:

Micro-fibre- material used to absorb oil so it can easily be disposed of.

Oil and chemical pads, socks and rolls- made to absorb large quantities of oil.

Oil booms- a floating barrier used to contain oil spills which occur in water. They reduce the risk of pollution and collect the oil into one place facilitating the clean-up process.

Universal chemical neutraliser- neutralises acids so they are safe to clean up

Bio-tube- absorb oil and digest it, converting it to carbon dioxide and water

There are different sizes and types of spill kits available depending on the substance spilled. For more information and to select the relevant spill kit for your needs see the links below.

Why Irish Workplaces Must Have Spill Kits

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006), Irish employers have a legal duty to manage the storage and handling of hazardous substances safely. Spill kits are a required element of any workplace COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) risk assessment where oils, fuels, solvents, or chemicals are used or stored.

Failure to have adequate spill response equipment on site in Ireland can result in:

  • HSA (Health and Safety Authority) enforcement notices and fines for workplace safety violations
  • EPA prosecution under the Water Pollution Acts for spills that reach drains or watercourses
  • Worker injury due to slip hazards created by uncontained spills
  • Costly environmental remediation and soil treatment where petroleum products contaminate ground

 

Which Spill Kit Do I Need? Type Selector Guide

Kit Type Absorbs Repels Water? Best Application
Oil Spill Kit (white) Oil, fuels, hydrocarbons only Yes  repels water Outdoor spills, car parks, marine, drainage
Chemical Spill Kit (yellow) Acids, alkalis, solvents, most chemicals No Labs, pharma, chemical processing
Universal Spill Kit (grey) Oils, fuels, water-based liquids, most chemicals No General industrial, warehousing, mixed use

 

Spill Kit Size Guide  Volume Selector

Kit Size Capacity Format Deployment Ideal For
20/40L 20–40 litres Shoulder bag Portable Vehicles, small spills
Wall Mount 40–80 litres Wall bracket Fixed location Workshops, plant rooms
Vehicle Mount 40L Cabinet/strap Mobile Trucks, vans, plant fleet
200L 200 litres Wheelie bin Mobile bay Manufacturing, large facilities
1000L 1,000 litres Wheelie bin/IBC Fixed station IBC storage, bulk liquid areas

 

How to Use a Spill Kit  Step-by-Step

  1. Protect yourself first  put on the gloves and safety goggles from the kit before approaching the spill
  2. Stop the source  isolate or cap the leaking container or machinery if safe to do so
  3. Contain the spill  deploy spill socks around the perimeter to stop the liquid spreading towards drains
  4. Absorb the liquid  lay absorbent pads from the centre of the spill outward to soak up the liquid
  5. Dispose safely  place saturated pads, socks, and PPE into the spill kit’s heavy-duty disposal bags and seal
  6. Dispose of waste  arrange collection by a licenced hazardous waste contractor in compliance with Irish EPA waste regulations
  7. Replenish the kit  replace used consumables immediately so the kit is ready for the next incident

Frequently Asked Questions  Spill Kits Ireland

What should a spill kit contain in Ireland?

A compliant spill kit for Irish workplaces should include absorbent pads, socks (booms), cushions or pillows, heavy-duty disposal bags, nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves, and safety goggles. Oil-specific kits also include oil-only absorbent material (white) that repels water, important for outdoor use.

Are spill kits a legal requirement in Ireland?

Yes. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, employers must manage hazardous substances safely, which includes maintaining spill response capability. Businesses storing oil, chemicals, or fuels also have obligations under EPA licensing and the Water Pollution Acts. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) can issue improvement notices for workplaces without adequate spill response procedures.

What size spill kit do I need for my Irish workplace?

Size is determined by the largest foreseeable spill volume on your site. A general rule of thumb: 20–40L bag kits suit vehicles and small spills; 200L wheelie bin kits suit workshops and manufacturing bays; 1000L kits are required near IBC tanks or bulk liquid storage. SSI Environmental can advise on the right size  contact us on 01 866 5676.

What is the difference between an oil spill kit and a chemical spill kit?

Oil spill kits (white absorbents) are hydrophobic  they absorb oil and repel water, making them ideal for outdoor use and drains. Chemical spill kits (yellow absorbents) absorb a wider range of substances including water-based chemicals, acids, and alkalis but do not repel water. Universal kits (grey) absorb both oil and water-based liquids.

How often should spill kits be inspected in Ireland?

SSI Environmental recommends monthly visual inspection of spill kits to verify completeness of contents and check for damage or expired items. Post-incident, the kit should be replenished immediately. Include spill kit inspection in your routine EHS audit schedule.

Can I buy replacement parts for my spill kit?

Yes. SSI Environmental supplies all spill kit consumables individually, including absorbent pads, socks, disposal bags, gloves, and goggles. This avoids the need to replace an entire kit after a small incident. Contact SSI for bulk refill pricing.