Spills happen - whether it’s oil in a loading bay, chemicals in a lab, or a coolant leak on the shop floor. And when they do, you need to act fast. That’s where spill kits come in.
Spill kits are ready-to-go packages of absorbents and clean-up tools designed to contain and remove liquid spills quickly. They're essential for:
They’re also a smart way to avoid damage, downtime, and costly clean-up bills. Whether you're working in construction, manufacturing, food processing or logistics —spill preparedness is part of doing business responsibly.
While sizes and formats vary, most spill kits include:
Some kits also include tools like drain covers, scoops or leak-sealing putty. The aim is to help you contain the spill, clean it up safely, and dispose of the waste properly - all in one grab-and-go solution.
Choosing the right spill kit starts with knowing your risks. There are three main types:
Oil Spill Kits (Oil-Only)
Designed to absorb oil-based liquids like fuel, diesel, and lubricants — and they repel water, so they’re perfect for outdoor or wet environments.
Ideal for: transport, construction plant, fuel handling, and marine sites.
Chemical Spill Kits
Tackle spills involving acids, alkalis, and hazardous chemicals. These kits contain chemically resistant absorbents and can include additional PPE when specified.
Ideal for: labs, chemical processing, and industrial cleaning teams.
Universal Spill Kits (General Purpose)
Handle everyday spills like coolants, food-grade liquids, oils and water-based fluids. Grey absorbents, simple and versatile.
Ideal for: manufacturing, workshops, warehouses, and maintenance teams.
Absorbents
The core of any spill kit. Look for:
Quantity and quality matter. The best kits are stocked to deal with real-world spill volumes — not just the minimum required.
PPE: Right Kit, Right Risk
While PPE is vital to spill response, it shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all.
Gloves and goggles aren’t included as standard – and with good reason. Including PPE by default may give a false sense of readiness or introduce gear that’s unsuitable for your actual risks.
The best approach:
Where needed, kits can be customised to include chemical-resistant gloves, face protection, coveralls, or respirators — all matched to your site’s risks.
Tools & Extras
Look for practical additions like:
These aren’t always included by default but can make a huge difference in spill control effectiveness.
Storage
From small bags to wheeled bins - choose a spill kit that suits your space and mobility needs. Clear labelling is a must.
Instructions
Good kits come with clear, pictogram-led guidance - essential when stress levels are high and decisions need to be made fast.
Put kits where they’re needed
Near tanks, fuelling areas, loading bays, chemical stores, and anywhere spills are likely. Visibility matters - use wall-mounted stations or spill signage to help everyone locate them quickly.
Train your team
Make sure employees know:
Regular toolbox talks or drills help embed this knowledge.
When a spill happens, you need to act quickly - but safely. Here’s a straightforward guide based on the user instructions we include with every SafetyBuyer spill kit:
Inspect regularly
Check spill kits monthly. Replace missing items, log inspections, and restock after any use. A kit that’s been raided for ‘just one pad’ might let you down in a real emergency.
If you handle or store liquids that could harm people or the environment, spill preparedness is more than good practice - it’s a legal obligation.
Relevant UK legislation includes:
While these regulations may not name spill kits specifically, they do expect practical, proactive controls to be in place. Having the right spill kits on site is widely seen as best practice and may be critical to demonstrating compliance during an inspection.
And beyond legal obligations, there’s the moral duty - to protect your team, site visitors, contractors, and the local environment. A spill kit in the right place shows you're serious about safety and responsibility.
Having spill kits on site is only part of the picture - they need to be easy to find, easy to use, and part of a clearly communicated safety culture.
That’s where visual management makes the difference.
At SafetyBuyer, we offer a range of Spill Stations, COSHH Safety Stations, and branded site boards that don’t help identify your spill kits - they support faster response, reinforce safe behaviours, and bring organisation to high-risk areas.
Need to tailor a solution? No problem. Our custom spill kits and refills are built around your specific risks and working environment. We’ll work with you to get the right mix of contents, containers and visual tools - so you’re confident you’ve covered the ground.
With UK-manufactured absorbents, generous kit contents, and fast delivery, we help you stay compliant, reduce downtime, and create a safer place to work.
No gimmicks. No corners cut. Just reliable, high-performing spill control - backed by expert advice and service that puts you first.
Call us on 0800 043 0161
Email sales@safetybuyer.com
Or explore the full range of spill kits and visual management solutions
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