Immediate response to a spill
Any spill in the home, work, office or school is a hazard that needs to be dealt with immediately. There is not only the risk to life that has to be considered but als the potential for legal action that can be taken out against the offending organisation or venue. With this in mind here are a few tips to make sure that as soon as a spill occurs you can deal with it.
- Clearing the mess straight away. This is where Spill Kits come in. Having some Spill Kits is actually a requirement of the Health and Safety executive especially when you work in an environment where a dangerous spill can happen. It’s usually covered by the Care substances hazardous to health or COSHH to give it its acronym.
- Colleagues taking responsibility. It’s very easy to think “the cleaner will do that, it’s what they’re paid for ” when there is a sudden spill. Training should be given so that everyone is aware that if a spill occurs they need to take responsibility for the spill themselves and not wait for some else to arrive and clean it for them.
- Adequate signage. There needs to be provision of signs to warn people following along that a spill has occurred. Even when the worst of the spill has been accounted for there may still be some residue lying around that could still cause a possible trip hazard and subsequent injury.
