Serpro FAQs - Spill Management, Spill Kits and Compliance

Use this Serpro FAQ sheet to quickly solve common spill control and environmental compliance questions on UK sites. Each section is written in a question and solution format so you can choose the right spill kit, bunding, drip tray or drain protection with confidence. For product selection and ordering, browse the Serpro spill control and spill management range.

Spill kits: selection, sizing and real site use

Question: How do I choose the correct spill kit for my site?

Solution: Start with three inputs: the liquid type, the likely spill volume, and where the spill may travel (work area, doorway, drain, yard). Match the kit to the liquid:

• Oil spill kits for hydrocarbons (diesel, hydraulic oil, lubricants). These are designed to absorb oils while typically repelling water, which helps in wet outdoor areas.
• Chemical spill kits for acids, alkalis and aggressive chemicals where material compatibility matters.
• General purpose spill kits for water-based liquids and mixed housekeeping spills.

Then size the kit for your credible spill. A practical rule is to cover the maximum likely spill from a single container in that area (for example a 25L drum decanting station, or a forklift hydraulic leak scenario). If you are unsure, choose the next size up and ensure the kit is within easy reach of the risk.

Question: Where should spill kits be located?

Solution: Place spill kits where a spill is most likely to occur and where response time matters most, such as:

• Goods-in and unloading bays, tanker offload points, IBC and drum stores.
• Maintenance workshops, plant rooms, generator areas, bunded tank locations.
• External yards near gullies and surface water drains.

Keep kits visible and unobstructed, ideally mounted or in a designated spill response point. Add simple signage so any operator can find spill kits fast during an incident.

Question: How do I estimate the spill kit absorbency I need?

Solution: Identify the largest realistic spill volume in that area (for example, a knocked-over 20L container, a split hose, or a leaking IBC valve). Choose a kit with absorbency capacity at least equal to that volume, and account for secondary absorption such as footprints, wipe-up and overspray. If the spill could migrate, factor in extra absorbents for placing a barrier line before starting clean-up.

Drip trays and bunding: practical containment and compliance

Question: What is bunding and why does my site need it?

Solution: Bunding is secondary containment used to prevent oils, fuels and chemicals escaping into the environment. It is widely used to reduce pollution risk, support best practice, and help demonstrate environmental management controls during audits and inspections. Common bunding solutions include bunded pallets for drums and IBCs, bunded flooring for plant, and bunded spill decks for decanting areas. Explore bunding and containment options via the Serpro site.

Question: What is a drip tray used for?

Solution: A drip tray is used for day-to-day leak and drip management under small containers, pumps, valves, filters, or parked plant. Drip trays help prevent slip hazards and stop nuisance leaks becoming reportable pollution incidents. Use drip trays as a local control, and use bunding as the wider secondary containment where larger releases are credible.

Question: Do I need bunding for an IBC or drum storage area?

Solution: If you store oils, fuels or chemicals, secondary containment is a core control. Bunded pallets and bunded spill decks are common for drum storage and IBCs because they are modular and quick to deploy. For higher-risk areas or high traffic, consider a dedicated bunded bay with clear access for handling equipment.

Drain protection: stopping spills reaching watercourses

Question: What should I do if a spill might reach a drain?

Solution: Treat drain protection as an urgent priority. If it is safe, stop the source, then immediately deploy drain covers or drain seals to prevent contaminated liquid entering surface water drains. Next, use absorbent socks to form a barrier and divert flow away from gullies. After the spill is contained, clean up using the correct absorbents and collect waste for disposal in line with your waste procedures.

Question: What drain protection products are best for emergency response?

Solution: For rapid response, many sites keep a dedicated drain protection pack alongside spill kits in yards and loading bays. Typical items include drain covers/seals and absorbent socks. The best solution depends on the drain type, surface condition and whether the area is wet or contaminated with dust or oils. In high-risk zones, pre-planning the location of each drain and the nearest drain protector reduces response time.

Spill response: step-by-step site actions

Question: What is the correct spill response sequence?

Solution: Use a simple, repeatable method that supports spill management compliance:

1. Assess and make safe: identify the liquid, hazards and ignition risks; use appropriate PPE.
2. Stop the source: upright a container, close a valve, isolate a pump, or plug a leak if trained and safe.
3. Contain: protect drains first, then use absorbent socks to form a barrier around the spill.
4. Absorb and collect: use pads, rolls or granules to absorb liquid; gather used materials for disposal.
5. Clean and report: clean residues, restock the spill kit, and record the incident for auditing and learning.

Question: How do I train staff for effective spill control?

Solution: Build spill response into site induction and refresher training. Use a short drill: where the spill kits are, how to deploy absorbent socks, how to protect drains, and how to segregate waste. Assign spill response owners for each shift or zone and check spill kit stock levels during routine inspections.

Waste and disposal: what to do with used absorbents

Question: Can I put used absorbents in general waste?

Solution: It depends on what was absorbed. Used absorbents contaminated with oils, fuels, solvents or chemicals may be classed as hazardous waste and should be handled under your waste management process. Bag and label waste, keep it secure, and use an appropriate contractor. Always follow your internal procedures and the latest guidance from the relevant regulator.

Question: How should I store spill response waste on site?

Solution: Keep waste in suitable bags or bins, ideally within secondary containment where liquids could drain out. Store away from drains and weather where possible, and keep waste streams segregated (for example, oil-contaminated vs chemical-contaminated absorbents).

Compliance and best practice (UK): showing environmental control

Question: Which UK regulations and guidance typically apply to spill management?

Solution: Requirements vary by site, sector and location. Most UK businesses use a combination of legal duties and regulator guidance to set practical controls around oil storage, pollution prevention and incident response. Useful reference points include:

• UK Government guidance on oil storage regulations for businesses
• UK Government guidance on Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC)
• NetRegs environmental guidance for businesses (UK)

For many sites, the goal is consistent: prevent spills, contain leaks quickly, protect drains, and document actions. Using spill kits, bunding, drip trays and drain protection supports good practice and helps demonstrate control during audits.

Question: What records should we keep for spill control and audits?

Solution: Maintain simple evidence of control measures: spill kit locations and checks, bund and drip tray inspections, training attendance, incident logs, and restocking records. This supports environmental compliance and continuous improvement.

Common site scenarios and solutions

Question: We decant drums daily. What spill control setup is sensible?

Solution: Use a dedicated decanting area with secondary containment (for example bunded spill decks) plus a nearby spill kit matched to the liquid. Keep absorbent pads for quick wipe-up, absorbent socks for containment, and a drain protector if any drains are nearby. Add a drip tray under taps and funnels to catch persistent drips.

Question: Our yard has multiple drains. How do we reduce pollution risk?

Solution: Map every drain, identify where it discharges (surface water or foul), and pre-position drain covers or a drain protection kit at high-risk points (loading bays, tanker areas). Combine this with outdoor oil spill kits, because fast deployment is often more important than perfect product choice during the first minutes of an incident.

Question: We have plant and forklifts that drip oil. What is the best control?

Solution: Use drip trays at parking and maintenance points, keep absorbent pads available for daily housekeeping, and schedule checks to prevent small leaks escalating. In workshops, store absorbents and waste containers close to workbenches so good spill management becomes routine, not reactive.

Need help choosing spill kits, bunding or drain protection?

If you want support selecting the right spill kit type, absorbency size, bunding capacity, drip tray layout or drain protection for your site, review the range and product options on the Serpro spill management website. Align your spill control equipment with your liquid hazards, site layout and compliance duties to reduce downtime and environmental risk.