Serpro Oils

Oils are used across many industrial processes for lubrication, cooling, protection and power transmission. In environments such as glass manufacturing and heavy engineering, oil releases are most common during machine maintenance, line adjustments, seal failures, hose splits, pump changes, gearbox work and routine lubrication. Even a small leak can quickly create a slip hazard, and some oils can present fire and environmental risks if not controlled properly.

Typical industrial oils you may encounter

While every site is different, oil spills usually fall into a few familiar groups. Understanding what you are dealing with helps you choose the right control and clean-up method.

Hydraulic oils used in presses, actuators, lifts and power packs. Often low to medium viscosity and spreads quickly across smooth floors.
Gear and gearbox oils used in drive systems, conveyors and reducers. Higher viscosity and can be slow-moving but persistent.
Compressor and turbine oils used in air systems and rotating equipment. Can atomise, mist or track on footwear.
Cutting oils and neat oils used in machining and maintenance tasks. May contain additives that affect clean-up and disposal.
Fuel and hydrocarbon blends such as diesel or kerosene used for site vehicles, generators and heating systems.
Greases which may smear rather than soak, often needing a combination of absorbents and surface cleaning.

Main risks from oil spills

Slips and falls – oil creates low-friction surfaces, especially on painted floors, sealed concrete and smooth walkways.
Fire hazards – some oils and fuels can ignite if exposed to heat sources, sparks or hot works. Always follow your site rules for isolations and ignition control.
Environmental impact – oil entering drains can cause pollution incidents and costly clean-up and reporting requirements.
Production disruption – leaks often spread into access routes, cable runs and beneath equipment, increasing downtime.

First response: a simple, practical approach

If it is safe to do so, aim to stop the source, contain the spread, then clean up thoroughly.

Assess and make safe – isolate the area, control foot traffic and identify any ignition sources.
Stop the leak – close valves, upright containers, isolate pumps or use temporary leak control where appropriate.
Contain – use socks/booms to ring the spill and protect thresholds, walkways and drains.
Absorb – apply pads/rolls for rapid pick-up, then work from the outside in.
Finish and inspect – remove residue, check for tracking, and confirm the floor is safe to reopen.
Dispose correctly – segregate waste and follow your local/site disposal procedure.

Choosing the right Serpro products for oil control

Serpro’s oil-only (hydrophobic) absorbents are designed to take in oils and hydrocarbons while repelling water, which makes them useful in damp areas, outdoors and around wash-down zones.

Oil-only absorbents (pads, rolls, socks and more):
Browse the full range here: Oil Absorbents

Fast wipe-up and day-to-day leaks – use Oil Absorbent Pads for quick placement under drips, around machine bases and on walkways.
Long runs, larger coverage or repeat drips – choose Oil Absorbent Rolls for benches, production lines and maintenance bays.
Prepared response and compliance – keep a dedicated kit nearby for quick deployment: Oil and Fuel Spill Kits (and for fuel-focused areas: Diesel Fuel Spill Kits).
Loose absorbent for uneven ground and awkward spaces – use oil-selective loose media such as Loose ELCEF Oil Selective Fibre where pads/rolls are less practical.
Prevent leaks becoming spills – use containment under equipment and containers: Drip and Spill Trays.
Keep products organised and ready – for high-use areas, consider a dedicated dispensing point: Sorbent Stations.
Protect drains – if your spill could reach surface water drainage, plan ahead with drain protection: Drain Protection.

Good practice: monitoring, storage and housekeeping

Inspect hoses, couplings, pumps and seals on a routine schedule, and record repeat leak points.
Store oils and lubricants with suitable secondary containment and clear labelling.
Use drip trays under known drip points and during planned maintenance.
Keep absorbents close to the hazard area so response is immediate, not delayed.
Train staff on spill response steps and disposal requirements for oil-contaminated waste.

Further guidance (external links)

If you need general safety guidance around slips, flammable liquids, and spill response planning, these UK resources may help:

Need help selecting the right approach?

If you can tell us what oil you are dealing with (e.g. hydraulic, gear, fuel), the approximate quantity, and whether the spill is on dry land or near water/drains, we can point you to a practical product combination for containment, absorption and safe clean-up.