Printing, Inks, Paints and Solvent Spill Control: What Do You Need for Mixed Chemical Risks?
Problem: Printing, paint and coating workplaces may have inks, dyes, adhesives, solvents, wash fluids and waste containers in use at the same time. The buyer needs a spill setup that supports fast containment, chemical compatibility and clean separation of waste.
Solution: Build the spill control layout around the liquids used, the places where they are stored or handled, and the route a spill would take if nobody stopped it. This page is designed to help buyers choose suitable SERPRO spill kits, absorbents, drip trays, secondary containment and inspection tools for this sector.
What should this workplace put in place?
- Classify the liquids before buying: Check whether the main risk is water-based ink, oil-based ink, solvent, adhesive, paint, dye or cleaning chemical. The kit must match the material.
- Use trays for decanting and mixing: Small container handling is a common cause of spills. Drip trays and bench trays reduce spread and make clean-up easier.
- Protect drains and thresholds: Keep socks, booms and drain protection where liquids could leave the production room or yard.
- Control waste and used absorbents: Used absorbents may become hazardous waste depending on what they absorbed. Keep disposal and labelling instructions in the spill procedure.
Recommended SERPRO product areas for this sector
- Chemical response: Chemical Spill Kits
- Chemical absorbents: Chemical Absorbents
- General production absorbents: General Purpose Absorbents
- Drip trays: Drip and Spill Trays
- COSHH cabinets: COSHH Cabinets
- Drain protection: Drain Protection
Practical selection method
Use this simple decision path before ordering. First, identify whether the main risk is oil and fuel, water-based workplace fluids, aggressive chemicals, battery acid, AdBlue, food and drink liquids, or an unknown substance. Secondly, decide whether the spill is most likely at a machine, container, vehicle, store, drain, yard or loading point. Thirdly, choose the correct response method: absorbent pads for flat surface clean-up, socks and booms for containment, drip trays for repeat leaks, bunds for storage, drain protection for escape routes and documented checks for compliance evidence.
Compliance and authority references
The links below are included as supporting references for the decision-making process. They should not replace a site-specific risk assessment, safety data sheet review or competent environmental, health and safety advice.
- HSE COSHH guidance covers workplace hazardous substances and relevant controls. HSE COSHH guidance
- HSE COSHH assessment guidance says employers should identify harmful substances using labels and safety data sheets. HSE COSHH risk assessment guidance
- NetRegs GPP24 covers safe storage and handling of drums and intermediate bulk containers. NetRegs GPP24 drums and IBC storage guidance
Buyer questions answered
What should we buy first?
Start with the spill type, the escape route and the storage area. In most sites this means a suitable spill kit, absorbents at the point of use, drip trays under repeat leaks and drain protection where liquid could leave the area.
Where should the kit be kept?
Keep it where the spill is most likely to happen, not just where stores space is available. Staff should be able to reach it quickly without unlocking several doors or crossing the whole site.
How often should spill equipment be checked?
Check after every use and include it in routine workplace inspections. Replenish pads, socks, disposal bags and instructions immediately so the next incident is not under-equipped.
Next step
For help matching a spill kit, absorbent type, drip tray or containment product to this workplace, contact SERPRO with the liquid type, container size, storage location, drainage risk and the approximate maximum spill volume. That information allows the product choice to be based on the real workplace problem rather than a generic spill kit description.