SPILL KITS CAN PREVENT COSTLY CLEANUPS

Lubricants: oil handling/safety

INTRODUCTION: As harvesting operations become larger and more mechanized, the potential increases for spills involving petroleum products. More equipment and larger fuel tanks make it increasingly important that operators follow good housekeeping rules and stock and maintain a suitable spill kit that will prevent environmental damage, costly cleanups, and expensive fines.

GENERAL FEATURES: Basic spill kits can easily contain and clean up leaks and minor spills. Such kits should be located on every active landing, and they should contain an assortment of absorbents, as well as repair putty and plugs for small leaks.

Fig. 1: Most spill kits contain "socks," which help
contain a spill, and ultra-absorbent pads or pillows.

Absorbents consist of pads, pillows, socks, and booms that are designed to absorb oils, coolants, solvents, water, and hydraulic fluids. Pads are used on small spills and leaks, and are quite useful for placing under oily parts during maintenance and repair. Socks are used for larger spills that require containment. Potential leaks around hose connections and valves can be caught with pillows that absorb anywhere from half a gallon to two gallons of petroleum product. Booms absorb oils on land and water, even in wet weather. Bags for proper absorbent disposal should be part of any kit.

Fig. 2: This "Economy Spill Kit," containing three absorbent socks, 12 mat pads,
and a temporary disposal bag, was available from New Pig Corp.
(1-800-HOT-HOGS