Can You Use a Spill Containment Kit Substitute at Work?

If you work in a warehouse, storage center, or any other logistics-related operation, spills are part of the job. That may be true regardless of your products: Most businesses operate forklifts, and electric lift trucks typically have lead-acid batteries that require watering — which means that sulfuric acid spills are possible (if not inevitable).

The simple solution is to keep an ample supply of ready-to-use spill kits and spill containment supplies on hand. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that employers provide reasonable supplies and PPE for spill containment, and spill kits fulfill that need — but what if you don’t have a spill kit handy? 

Why Spill Kits Are Essential

Some spills can be cleaned up with paper towels, but in industrial settings, that’s rarely advisable for several reasons. The first is regulatory compliance. OSHA clearly outlines employer obligations for spill cleanup:

• The Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires employers to inform employees about the hazards of the chemicals they work with, including how to safely handle and clean up spills. It also mandates providing appropriate PPE for handling hazardous chemicals.  
• Both the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard (29 CFR 1910.132) and the aforementioned Hazard Communication Standard require employers to assess workplace hazards and provide appropriate PPE to protect employees.
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard (29 CFR 1910.120) applies to workplaces where employees are involved in cleanup operations involving hazardous substances. Again, it requires that employers provide training and appropriate PPE.
• The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Purpose-built spill kits are designed to meet these requirements effectively. An all-in-one kit can give you peace of mind (provided that you also follow OSHA’s requirements for training employees). 

But apart from compliance, spill kits are simply more efficient and effective. They contain absorbents with high capacity, designed to quickly contain and pick up liquids, minimizing the spread of the spill and potential environmental damage. Put simply, they work — quickly.

Emergency Alternatives: Spill Containment Kit Substitutes

The only real alternative to a spill kit? Bulk spill containment supplies, along with appropriate PPE to match the hazard. Solus Group carries a range of spill response equipment, including bulk absorbents/adsorbents and PPE. 

With that in mind, other types of supplies are commonly used in emergencies — and all of these have serious drawbacks:

• Clay-based cat litter: has a much lower absorption capacity than specialized spill pads or socks. It does nothing to neutralize corrosive chemicals like battery acid, and the fine silica dust it often contains can pose a respiratory hazard during application and cleanup.
• Sawdust or wood shavings: While absorbent to a degree, these organic materials are flammable and pose a significant fire risk, especially when contaminated with oils or fuels. Critically, sawdust can react dangerously or even explosively with strong oxidizing agents or certain acids (like nitric acid), so it isn’t suitable for many chemical spills.
• Sand: Primarily useful for diking or damming a spreading liquid on a smooth surface, sand actually offers very little actual absorption. When mixed with spilled materials, it creates a heavy, bulky waste that is difficult to work with.
• Shop rags or paper towels: These are widely used, but highly inefficient for anything beyond minor spills. They quickly become saturated, so you’ll need a lot of them — and they offer minimal protection against chemical contact.

We really want to stress this point: If you’re using simple supplies to clean up spills, there’s a good chance that you’re also ignoring the best practices of PPE. That’s a much bigger issue than wasting shop towels — ignoring PPE can quickly translate to on-the-job injuries. 

What About Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) or Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) for Battery Acid Spills?

Common bases like baking soda or soda ash can neutralize sulfuric acid, so they’re appropriate when dealing with battery acid spills. The main downside: The chemical reaction generates heat and foam, and it’s fairly slow — you can’t know when neutralization is truly complete without pH testing. 

Dedicated acid neutralizers like AcidSafe are specifically formulated for controlled reactions. They include acid-base indicators to visually confirm neutralization, along with absorbent materials to speed up cleanup. 

Related: The Two Categories of Battery Acid Spills, According to OSHA

For Safe, Efficient Spill Cleanup, Provide Workers with Appropriate Spill Response Supplies

The most effective approach is proactive preparation: Make sure your facility is equipped with adequate, accessible, and appropriate spill response materials specifically designed for the potential hazards present. This goes beyond merely having a spill kit; it means having the right type and quantity of kits and supplies for your specific operations.

• Universal Spill Kits: Designed to handle common industrial liquids, including oils, coolants, solvents, and water-based fluids.
• Oil-Selective Spill Kits: Feature absorbents that specifically attract and retain oil-based liquids while repelling water, ideal for outdoor spills or situations where oil needs to be separated from water.
• General-Purpose Spill Kits: For everyday spills, General Purpose Spill Kits offer a practical and cost-effective solution. Includes a variety of absorbent materials, including loose sorbents, sorbent socks, and sorbent pads. Available in various configurations, including tote bags and tilt-wheel spill carts.
• Battery Acid Spill Kits: Crucial for battery charging areas, these kits contain not just appropriate absorbents but also essential acid neutralizers (like AcidSorb) that often include color indicators to visually confirm when the spilled electrolyte is safe to handle, along with necessary PPE.
• Bulk Spill Response Supplies: Beyond complete kits, Solus Group provides individual components like absorbent pads, socks, pillows, booms, neutralizers, PPE, and disposal containers, allowing facilities to replenish kits or create customized spill stations.

Equipping your team with professional-grade spill response supplies isn't just about compliance. Proper preparation ensures that when spills inevitably happen, your workers can respond quickly, safely, and effectively, minimizing harm and disruption.

For additional guidance, call 314-696-0200 to speak with a member of our sales team, or read: OSHA Spill Kit Requirements: A Complete Guide.