Common Spills Guide

Spills happen in every workplace, but the right first response can prevent slips, protect drains, and reduce environmental impact. This page is a practical, plain-English guide to the most common spill types, what to do first, and how to choose the right approach to containment and clean-up.

Many commercial cleaning agents contain harmful chemicals that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems. It is essential to use biodegradable detergents and implement spill control measures to prevent accidental discharge into drains. For more information on managing detergent spills, refer to Serpro’s common spills guide.

First actions for any spill

• Make safe: stop the source if it is safe to do so (upright a container, close a valve, isolate equipment).
• Secure the area: keep people away, reduce foot traffic, and prevent tracking through the spill.
• Protect drains: prioritise isolating nearby drains, gullies, and thresholds to stop spread off-site.
• Identify the substance: check the label/SDS and treat unknown liquids as potentially hazardous.
• Contain, then clean: ring the spill with socks/booms, then use pads/rolls/granules to recover the liquid.

If you need a quick refresher on spill categories and why absorbent choice matters, see Serpro’s guide on spill types.

Common spill types and what to do

Detergents and cleaning chemicals

Detergent spills often look harmless, but they can be slippery and harmful if they reach surface water drains. Treat them as a containment priority, especially in loading bays, yards, and wash areas.

• Contain immediately and block pathways to drains.
• Use suitable absorbents for the product type and collect residues before any washdown.
• Avoid flushing to drain unless your site procedures explicitly permit it and it is legally compliant.

Related guidance: Cleaning chemicals and Wastewater Management.

Acids, alkalis and process chemicals

Corrosive spills require controlled containment, correct PPE, and careful waste handling. If there is any doubt, escalate to your site spill response plan.

• Isolate the area and improve ventilation if fumes are present.
• Prevent contact with incompatible materials and keep ignition sources away where relevant.
• Contain first, then use appropriate chemical absorbents and disposal routes.

Read more: Chemical Spill Management. For absorbents commonly used on chemical spills, see Chemical Absorbent Pads.

Oils, fuels and hydrocarbons

Hydraulic oil, diesel, lubricants, and oily residues can spread quickly across hardstanding and create serious slip hazards. Outdoors, rainfall can transport residues into drainage systems.

• Ring the spill first to stop spread (socks/booms), then recover with pads or rolls.
• Keep oily wastes segregated from general waste and follow your disposal procedure.
• Prioritise drain protection and controlled collection rather than washdown.

Coolants and water-mix fluids

Coolants and water-based machining fluids can be deceptively mobile, and they often carry contamination into drains if not controlled early.

• Contain and recover free liquid where possible (pads/rolls, controlled transfer to suitable containers).
• Segregate waste streams and avoid mixing with oils or incompatible chemicals.
• Plan follow-up cleaning to remove residues without creating contaminated wash water.

Related guidance: Wastewater Management.

Choosing the right approach

Absorbent selection depends on the liquid type, location, and risk. If you are unsure, start with containment, protect drains, and consult your site spill plan or SDS.

• Chemicals and unknown liquids: treat as hazardous until confirmed otherwise; use appropriate chemical absorbents and compatible PPE.
• Oils and fuels: use absorbents suited to hydrocarbons and prioritise preventing migration across floors and into drainage.
• Detergents and washdown risk: focus on containment and controlled collection to reduce aquatic impact.

Drain protection and overhead leaks

Drain protection should be treated as a first-line control for external spills and any area where liquids can escape your site boundary. For leaks from overhead pipework, roofs, or equipment, targeted capture can prevent secondary contamination.

• Drain protection can help reduce the risk of contaminated water entering drains and watercourses.
• Leak diversion can control drips and reduce spread while you isolate and repair the source.

Useful range links: Drain Protection and Leak Diverter.

When to escalate

Escalate immediately if any of the following apply:

• There is a risk to people (fumes, burns, strong odours, dizziness, visible reaction, fire risk).
• The spill is entering drains, gullies, or watercourses (or could do so in rain).
• The liquid is unknown, highly corrosive, reactive, or involves multiple substances.
• The volume exceeds your on-site capability or your spill kit capacity.

If you want a broader overview of planning and readiness, see Emergency response kits.

External references

For additional compliance context, you may find these resources helpful:

• HSE: COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• UK Government: Pollution prevention guidance for businesses

Note: Always follow your site procedures and the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the substance involved.