Chemicals are used in every workplace, from laboratories and industrial plants to offices. Some can be hazardous whether they are corrosive, flammable, or produce harmful fumes, for example. You must know what to do in the event of a spill to ensure a quick and effective response.
When a spill happens, rapid response chemical spill cleaning services from ICE Cleaning can make your workplace safe again. Its highly qualified technicians can clean up and dispose of chemicals, no matter the size or severity of the spill. They are available across the UK, 365 days a year, 24/7.
Read on to find out what you should when a chemical spills.
Alert Your Staff That a Chemical has Spilled
Notify people working in the area including supervisory personnel that there is a chemical spill. Depending on how serious it is, evacuate the area or the entire building.
If you need to contact the emergency services, make sure you tell them what has spilled and how much of it so they can assist in the most effective way.
Should anyone have been injured by the spill, remove them from the spill area to somewhere safe. If you cannot do this without putting your own health at risk, wait for the emergency services to arrive.
Stop the Spill Getting Worse
If you can safely stop the chemical spilling like closing a valve and you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), you should do so.
Then, shut off any sources of heat or ignition that could cause the chemical to start a fire. Some chemicals produce harmful fumes so open the windows to stop them building up. However, if there are lots of people outside the building that might be in danger of inhaling it, keep them closed.
Contain the Spill so it can’t Spread
If you have a chemical spill kit on site and you are trained to use it, use the absorbent material and neutralisers to confine the chemical to one area. Make sure it does not spread near drains and outside or it could cause pollution.
To prevent people going near the spill or come in contact with the chemical, block access to the spill area, such as with caution tape.
Contact Professional Cleaners to Clean up the Spill
Should you or your coworkers have the PPE, training, and equipment to safely clean the spill and dispose of the waste, they can deal with it. Otherwise bring in a chemical spill clean up company, like ICE Cleaning.
Its technicians will contain the chemical, neutralise it, and flush every affected surface of the substance and its fumes. They can also dispose of all contaminated items and waste appropriately. ICE Cleaning can give you peace of mind that your property is clean and safe again.
You can learn more about ICE Cleaning’s range of cleaning services on its website.
Also read: What is Duct Cleaning and How Professionals Clean Duct Effectively?
