absorbents | Spill Containment Blog

Chemical Absorbents 101: What You Should Know

July 6, 2023 by Travis Zdrazil

Understanding the importance and types of chemical absorbents

Applying yellow absorbent pads to clean up a chemical spill

It’s important to use the right absorbents for safe chemical spill cleanup

If your company deals with the production, processing, storage, or handling of chemicals, you need appropriate absorbents readily available to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

Chemical spills can occur unexpectedly, so having the right absorbents on hand allows you to effectively contain and clean the chemicals in a timely manner.

But with so many different types of spill absorbents available—differing in size, material, shape, and construction—how do you know which ones to choose? In this post, we break down the different types of chemical absorbents to help you make an informed choice.

Categorizing Absorbents

Absorbents are typically classified into three main categories:

Universal – Universal absorbents are probably the most popular type of chemical absorbent and are gray in color. These versatile absorbents are designed to handle both oil-based and water-based chemical spills. The ability to effectively absorb various types of chemicals makes universal absorbents the preferred choice for most companies.
Oil-Only – As the name suggests, white oil-only absorbents are specifically designed to tackle oil-based spills. If your company primarily deals with oil-based chemicals, opting for oil-only absorbents in the event of a spill is a sensible choice. Oil floats on top of water, making booms a common choice for containing oil spills. Oil-only absorbents repel water which means they float even after soaking up a hydrocarbon spill.
Hazmat – The third category of chemical absorbent is yellow, and specifically formulated to handle aggressive chemicals that cannot be effectively absorbed by universal or oil-only absorbents. These absorbents are indispensable for managing spills involving hazardous materials. Moreover, you can also use hazmat absorbents for cleaning up water-based and oil-based chemical spills.

Different Types of Chemical Absorbents

Absorbent contents in a hazmat chemical spill kit

Chemical absorbents come in various forms, each with its own unique purpose. For convenience, spill kits often contain a mix of these different options. We’ll delve into some examples, next.

Pads, rolls, and mats

Absorbent pads are placed directly on top of a spill to soak up the chemical. Using pads designed for specific chemicals ensures optimal absorption. Some companies even use absorbent pads as a preventive measure by placing them beneath forklift storage areas, reducing the risk of oil spills on the floor.

Let’s not overlook the importance and convenience of basic absorbent rolls. These are essential for quickly wiping up small spills. Whenever a minor spill occurs, a few sheets of an absorbent roll can swiftly address the issue.

Booms, socks, and pillows

With their bulkier forms, booms, socks, and pillows represent another type of chemical absorbent product range. They’re typically utilized for larger spills that are difficult to contain with mats or pads alone. Socks and booms can enclose a chemical spill within a designated area while gradually absorbing and containing it. Then, pillows can be tossed into the center of the spill for additional absorbing power.

Benefits of Using Chemical Absorbents in the Workplace

Using chemical absorbents in the workplace offers several important benefits. Such as ensuring a safer environment for employees and helping companies meet federal compliance regulations. Let’s explore these advantages in detail:

Enhanced Workplace Safety: The primary advantage of utilizing chemical absorbents is the significant enhancement in workplace safety. Chemical spills can lead to slip-and-fall accidents, fires, chemical exposures, and other hazardous situations. By having the appropriate absorbent materials readily available, companies can quickly respond to spills, contain them effectively, and minimize the potential risks to employees’ health and safety.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Chemical spills can have detrimental effects on the environment if not properly managed. Absorbents play a crucial role in preventing the spread of chemicals and their subsequent contamination of soil, water sources, or nearby ecosystems. By using absorbents to promptly address spills, companies can minimize the negative impact on the environment and demonstrate their commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.
Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations: Both OSHA and the EPA have established regulations and guidelines to ensure workplace safety and environmental protection. Using chemical absorbents aligns with these regulations, demonstrating compliance and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe and environmentally conscious workplace. By implementing proper spill control measures, companies can avoid potential penalties, fines, or legal consequences associated with non-compliance.
Improved Operational Efficiency: Chemical spills can disrupt operations and lead to downtime while the cleanup process takes place. Having the right absorbents readily available allows for quicker containment and cleanup, minimizing the interruption to workflow and reducing potential financial losses. The ability to promptly address spills helps maintain operational efficiency and productivity.
Cost Savings: The proactive use of chemical absorbents can also result in cost savings for companies. By promptly containing and cleaning up spills, potential damages to equipment, infrastructure, or inventory can be minimized or avoided altogether. Additionally, the reduction in workplace accidents and associated medical expenses, insurance claims, and legal costs contributes to overall cost savings for the company.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the proper selection of chemical absorbents is crucial for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. It is important to note that the specific requirements for chemical spill management and the choice of absorbents may vary depending on the industry and the types of chemicals involved. Understanding the different types of absorbents available and their specific uses will help you make informed decisions.

If you need advice on selecting chemical-compatible absorbents for your facility, reach out to AbsorbentsOnline. Our experts can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of October 3, 2013

What Is Oil Absorbent Made Of?

May 10, 2022 by Travis Zdrazil

Oil absorbents are materials that are designed to quickly soak up oils and other hydrocarbon liquids. This makes them ideal for use in a variety of settings, from the workshop to the kitchen.

There are many different forms of oil absorbent available, each with its own set of benefits. But what exactly is oil absorbent made of? And what are the different types of absorbents for oil clean up?

Oil absorbent socks and pads made of polypropylene

Read on to learn more as we explore the common types of absorbent materials—including natural organic and synthetic options—and how they are used for cleaning up oil spills.

What Are Oil Absorbents?

Oil absorbents are commonly used in industrial applications such as spill cleanup or removing oil from water. Which is why they are also a staple component of spill kits.

These spill absorbents can come in many different forms and application methods, but are typically white in color. Some examples are oil absorbent mats, socks, booms, and pillows.

Often, sorbents for oil spills have special oleophilic and hydrophobic properties. Meaning they attract oil and repel water. While less specialized absorbent materials include cloth rags, shop towels, and granular products similar to cat litter.

Regardless of type, oil absorbent products are used to soak up hydrocarbons like gasoline. Hence why they are essential to sites that store and handle oily fluids, like automotive shops and boat yards or marinas.

You can more easily deal with an oil spill by using oil absorbent. Which is important because potential safety hazards are present when leaks, drips, spray, or spills occur. Not to mention, Operational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require workplaces to be clean and free from hazardous material spills.

What Are Oil Absorbents Made From?

As already mentioned, oil absorbents come in different shapes and sizes. And they are made from a variety of sorbent materials. For instance, organic compositions—think peat moss and clay—as well as synthetics like polypropylene.

Some common types of absorbent materials include:

Polypropylene (PP) – This is a synthetic polymer that has good oil absorption properties.
Natural fibers – These are made with things like wood pulp, cotton, or flax fiber.
Synthetic fibers – Which includes man-made materials like acrylic, nylon, or polyester.

Each type has its unique absorbency properties and uses. We’ll discuss a few of the different types next.

What Are Oil Absorbent Pads Made Of?

Oil absorbent pads, mats, and rolls are often made of varying thicknesses of polypropylene. These products are technically textiles but repel water. The pads can be woven together from single or multi-layers of polypropylene fibers.

Cross section of multi and single layer polypropylene oil absorbing pads — *Oil absorbent mats can be made of one or more layers of polypropylene material*

Mats can be purchased in rolls or cut into individual pieces depending on the size of the spill you are dealing with. Unlike paper towels, they do not dissolve and have strong tear and abrasion resistance.

Widely used in spill response, absorbent mats and pads are usually placed over the top of oily liquids. Oil absorbing pads are very easy to use and do not leave dust behind, unlike granular absorbents.

Whether you’re dealing with a small spill or a major cleanup, oil absorbent pads can help to keep the mess under control.

What Are Granular Sorbents Made With?

Loose granular absorbent comes in several types but usually look like coarse sand. The granules are often made from recycled or natural, biodegradable compounds.

Unlike common cat litter, granular absorbents do not contain crystalline silica; a substance which is known to cause lung disease.

You can choose different packaging and dispensing methods, from small shaker containers to large sacks.

When you sprinkle the granules on an oil spill, it absorbs the oil and allows it to be swept up. However, this is can sometimes be a less effective and messy way to clean up spills.

Corn Cob

Corncob makes a great eco-friendly option for absorbing oil spills. As you might have guessed, this sorbent is made from ground-up corn cobs. It is also quite inexpensive, and comes packaged in large bags.

The granules are able to hold up to four times its weight in a variety of liquids, including oil. It is biodegradable and also safe to incinerate.

Peat Moss

Another all-natural and environmentally absorbent is peat moss. This plant-based material is biodegradable, incinerable, and comes packaged in bales.

Because it will not absorb water, it is ideal for cleaning up oil spills on water or land.

Gran-Sorb

This cellulose product is 100% biodegradable and is made from paper mill waste. It is versatile and works well on oils, lubricants, gasoline, and more.

Sold in large bags, Gran-Sorb is a popular option to pour over and soak up automobile fluids.

Super Sorbent

With a formula certified free of hazardous materials, Super Sorbent is lightweight and non-toxic. In addition to oil, it is suitable for other types of chemical spills such as coolants, and solvents.

A shaker container quickly dispenses this granulated universal absorbent. Making it ideal for routine maintenance tasks, and small leaks.

What Are Absorbent Pillows, Socks, and Booms For Oil Spills Made From?

Like oil absorbent pads, booms, socks and pillows are largely made with polypropylene fillers. All of these absorbent products have a synthetic fabric or mesh outer casing for additional strength.

Sorbent socks are also available that contain eco-friendly corn cob filler. We described this unique natural material above, in the loose granular absorbents section. Because corn cob socks absorb all kinds of liquid spills, they are not a good choice for using in or around water.

On the other hand, poly-blend oil absorbent socks and booms are perfect for tackling hydrocarbon spills in marine locations. They come in different size diameters and lengths and are flexible. Meaning you can easily shape socks around motors to deal with potential equipment fuel leaks.

Final Thoughts

There are many options for absorbents when it comes to spill response and clean up. Oil absorbents are often made of man-made polymers as well as natural fiber sorbent materials.

Some oil sorbents are better suited for certain situations than others. Be sure to research each option thoroughly before making a purchase. Take into consideration what kind of spill you might encounter, how much time you have to deal with it, and if there will be any residual cleanup required after the spill is removed.

We hope that this article has given you an insight into what oil absorbents for spill cleanup are and what they are made of!

Do You Have These 7 Absorbents in Your Warehouse?

May 23, 2021 by Travis Zdrazil

Check out seven essential absorbents to help keep your workplace safe, clean, and dry

Worker cleaning empty storehouse floor Stocking your warehouse with absorbents can be a daunting task if you’re not sure where to start.

But, having the right kinds of absorbents on hand is important to ensure clean and safe operations. And aids Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation compliance.

So, here’s your guide to choosing which absorbents fit your facility’s needs!

1. Pad and Roll Absorbents

Absorbent pads and rolls are all-purpose cleanup tools designed to absorb liquids quickly. Pads are convenient, pre-cut sheets of absorbent that fit specific places or functions. Absorbent rolls allow for more flexibility so you can use precisely the amount you need.

These come in six main types, and the type that works best for you depends entirely on the types of materials in your facility. Here is a basic rundown of each type and its ideal purpose:

Universal Maintenance

A general-purpose type of absorbent, gray universal pads are great for day-to-day maintenance. These pads can absorb a wide variety of fluids, from water-based fluids to oils and more. After being wrung out, you can even reuse them. The grey color also disguises dirt, extending the absorbents’ lives.

Oil Cleanup

These white oil absorbing pads and rolls repel and float on water. They only absorb hydrocarbons such as oil, gasoline, and lubricating oils. Because they’re perforated, you can use only what you need. And you can can also wring out and re-use them again.

Economy Oil

Similar to the oil absorbents, economy pads and rolls float and repel water, only absorbing hydrocarbons. These cost-effective oil absorbent pads have only one layer, so they’re able to cover larger surface areas for low prices.

Hazmat

Yellow-color absorbents are for chemical spill cleanup, and soaking up hazardous or unknown liquids. They absorb all liquids, including water as well as aggressive fluids like acids.

Poly-backed

These gray absorbents have an impenetrable poly backing, protecting the floor or users’ hands from liquids. These absorbents are all-purpose and will absorb all liquids, including water.

Anti-Static

These water-repelling absorbents for use in cold or dry applications. Their anti-static absorbent properties reduce risk of sparking. Which makes them safer to use around combustible or flammable equipment and chemicals. They absorb oils and hydrocarbons, and come in a unique blue bag for quick identification and use.

2. Absorbent Socks

Absorbent socks are ideal to surround spills and prevent them from spreading further. They are fast and easy to use, so you can catch spills before they get worse. With an absorbent hand wringer you can also recover and re-use liquid spills as well as the socks themselves!

Use an appropriate color spill sock to absorb specific types of liquid

Universal/General Purpose Socks

You can wring out and re-use these super absorbent grey polypropylene socks. They’re ideal for everyday maintenance, come in two sizes. Because they can absorb water-based fluids, oil, coolants, and more they’re great for multi-purpose uses.

Oil-Absorbing Socks

Available in two sizes, these white socks absorb oil and hydrocarbons. They repel and float on water, making for an easy cleanup process.

Hazmat Socks

These yellow-color socks come in two sizes and are for use on hazardous or unknown spills. They absorb all liquids, from water and water-based fluids to aggressive fluids.

Corn Cob Universal Socks

Universal absorbent grey socks contain ground corn cob filler. Meaning they’re renewable, so an ideal way to make your business greener.

3. Pillow Absorbents

When you need a quick absorbent tool with higher capacity than pads or rolls, absorbent pillows are the perfect solution. These are great for persistent leaks or for catching running liquid.

Universal Pillows

All-purpose absorbent pillows are grey in color and suitable for all kinds of spills. They come in two sizes, and are ideal for general, day-to-day maintenance. You can wring out and re-use them, too.

Oil Pillows

White-colored, oil-only pillows are perfect for absorbing hydrocarbons. They come in two sizes and you can use them on land and water, because they repel and float on water.

Hazmat Pillows

When you have a hazardous or unknown spill, these yellow absorbent pillows are just the thing. They can absorb all liquids, including water, and are available in two sizes.

4. Industrial Wipes

For quick responses to spills and accidents, it’s important to not only prepare with large, high-capacity absorbents. But also small, easy-to-access rags and towels. Including absorbents that are suitable for use on workers’ faces and hands. And that’s when industrial wipes and rags are great choices.

Shop Towels

Extremely versatile shop towels are soft enough for use on the hands and face but don’t fall apart when wet. They come in blue, white and red colors, with a variety of absorbency levels. So you can choose between all-purpose, high-absorbency, and everything in between. Towels are great for painting, staining, wallpapering, cleaning, and mopping up spills.

Shop Rags

Fabric shop rags come in easy-to-use dispensers and feature 100% reclaimed materials. Which makes them a green option for your business. They’re great for use on paint, grease, oil, and solvents, and hundreds of other practical uses.

Industrial Wet Wipes, Soaps, and Degreasers

Whether you need to clean your hands or your equipment, we have the perfect cleaner for the task. Our citrus-scent degreaser wipes are harsh on industrial grime cutting through paint, ink, oil, grease, tar, and more. They’re up for the task of commercial degreasing without being full of harsh solvents.

5. Absorbent Safety Mats

Floor safety mats are an excellent way to keep your floors clean and dry. They’re so durable you can use them underneath vehicles and machinery. Or, on walkways to catch drips and leaks. Importantly protecting your employees from slip-and-fall accidents.

Abzorb Mats

Abzorb floor mats are the toughest of the bunch, featuring a non-penetrable backing. They’re non-skid and you can cut them to any desirable length. As well, you can use them either indoors or outdoors. Their dark charcoal grey color masks the appearance of dirt and stains.

Forklift Mats

These Abzorb Mats are cut at six feet by eight feet specifically to fit forklifts. They’re perfect to protect your floors from oil and battery leaks. Not to mention provide a non-slip surface for employees getting in or out of forklifts.

Rag Rug Industrial Floor Mats

Featuring recycled polypropylene and acrylic fibers, Rag Rag industrial floor mats will stand up to traffic. Because they can absorb all kind of fluids, they’re perfect for use on walkways around your warehouse.

Railroad Containment Track Mats

Protect railroad beds from chemical or hydrocarbon leaks with these absorbent track mats. They have poly-backing to resist chemicals, as well as an UV-resistant material cover. These mats come in two different-size rolls, to fit the inside and outside of rails.

Survivor Camouflage Absorbent Mats

The pattern on these camo absorbent mats hides drips and leaks for extended use. The bottom layer features a densely woven, fine fiber. Which provides grip and supports safer walking. The top layer of fabric wicks away liquid trapped in the center core, making these mats ideal for use around machinery or on walkways.

6. Drip Pans

Drip pans are perfect in applications with higher volume leakages than absorbent pads or pillows can handle. Pans will safely contain liquid until ready for disposal.

Universal DPU-16 absorbent pans have a cover that keeps absorbed liquid safely inside. For easy maintenance, replace the entire tray after it is full.

Industrial Pillow Pans are reusable, so you replace the absorbent pillows as necessary. Use them with universal absorbent pillows or hydrocarbon-only pillows that repel water.

7. Booms

Booms help contain or route large spills to prevent or control them from spreading further. They are suitable for applications on both land and water.

Oil Absorbent booms

These white marine booms soak up hydrocarbons and repel water (as well as water-based fluids). Meaning they float on water — even when saturated with oil. You can easily link them together with carbon steel connector hardware to create the ideal size.

Chemical Hazmat

Use chemical absorbing booms on land to soak up hazmat fluids, from water-base. to oil and acetone. They connect together to create a perimeter around larger spill areas.

Non-Absorbent Booms

In situations where you need to route or contain — but not absorb — spills on water, use a non-absorbent boom. Choose from five different models to match the specific water conditions. For example, rough coastal and marine environments, or calm waters like swamps.

No matter what kind of facility you have, there are solutions for every spill and every site! This guide aims to help you determine which absorbents best suit your needs — but if you still aren’t sure, you can always get in touch with us. For questions, contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publish date of May 24, 2016

Hand Wringers: Save Money, Materials, and the Environment

April 27, 2021 by Travis Zdrazil

Why an absorbent wringer makes an excellent investment for your facility

An absorbent wringer lets you re-use your spill containment and clean up supplies, like socks

How do you get more out of your absorbents? And how do you create efficiencies for your bottom line, including reducing waste? If these questions sound familiar to your business, this week’s post is for you!

Too often, companies lose materials because of an inability to recover valuable resources after absorption. For example, following an accidental oil spill. Or, during day-to-day overflow leakage while handling coolants and hazmat liquid chemicals.

Which prevents those companies from meeting environmental standards. By forcing them to waste fluids when they could be recycling them.

Likewise, the expense of using universal absorbent socks, pillows or pads only once before disposal quickly adds up. As do the monthly bills of paying for trash removal services.

However, using a hand wringer for sorbents can easily solve these problems. Not only will absorbent materials last longer, but you can also keep and reuse the liquids you recover.

What are the benefits of using a wringer for absorbents?

Here are just a few of the great reasons to consider investing in an absorbent wringer today:

It pays itself off quickly

On average, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that a hand wringer pays for itself in just three to five short weeks.

Those cost savings quickly add up through spending less on supplies along with reducing your waste disposal costs. Enjoy buying your absorbents by the box instead of high-volume pallets!

Help your business go green!

A hand wringer allows you to recycle fluids, improving your environmental compliance. This efficient chemical recovery and collection system aids waste stream separation.

Not only that, you’ll meet waste minimization goals by sending fewer materials to landfills. Which can also help minimize risks of them potentially leeching toxic hazmat chemicals.

Save money on annual operation spend

By employing a hand wringer at your facility, the EPA reports that you can achieve annual savings of 51-75%. That is to say, you’ll spend less on purchasing brand-new absorbent pads, socks, and pillows.

Not to mention reducing outlays on chemicals you use at your facility. That’s because you can easily recover fluids so they last longer and you don’t need to buy them as often. As well, you’ll be reducing your monthly bill for waste disposal management services.

Which absorbents can you wring and re-use?

Squeeze and re-use the contents you commonly find in workplace spill kits

Absorbent socks, mats, pads, and pillows are just a few spill-cleanup supplies you can wring out and reuse. This means you’ll be able to extend the service life of the most common contents found in spill kits.

In addition, you can also speed up the drying process for wet industrial floor or ground protection mats. As well as your fabric shop rags and wipes.

Once you finish a spill cleanup, be it from an IBC or drum leak, pass your wet sorbents through the extractor. You’ll easily recover and recycle the otherwise oil spill wastage fluids!

Note that any liquid materials you wish to recover must be non-flammable. Which typically excludes many solvents, paints, or combustible fuels.

Hand wringer model features

If you’re ready to pick up a hand wringer, AbsorbentsOnline is here to provide them. Choose the optional hands-free electric motor drive, or, the base Pro model by itself. Featuring heavy steel construction and parts, these units are made in the USA.

The Pro Model’s wide rollers easily squeeze liquids from thicker materials up to 8″

This Pro Model wringer incorporates several features to minimize waste. Its 19-inch rollers accept 18-inch pads with no folding, or as many as four 3-inch socks at one time. Spring-loaded rollers provide pressure in both directions making it easier to start thick items like socks and pillows.

It can also accept 5-inch, 6-inch, and some 8-inch absorbent booms. The Pro model’s optional electric motor drive provides hands-free wringing—say goodbye to hand-cranking!

How to use a hand wringer for absorbents

The pad wringer easily attaches to a standard 55-gallon collection drum. Depending on the materials you plan to recover, you can use either a stainless steel or polyurethane closed-head drum.

Much like tension mop-heads, an absorbent wringer uses compression to extract and recover liquids. A manual hand crank pushes sorbents through the wringer unit. As materials pass through the heavy-duty rollers, they squeeze out and recover excess fluids in your collection drum.

By engaging the tension dial you can adjust the roller widths between 12 and 19 inches. This means the unit will easily accommodate larger absorbent pillows or booms.

However, you may need to wring out thicker items like absorbent booms several times. Allow super absorbent socks or mats to hang and air dry before re-use. This is particularly relevant for sorbents you use with water-based fluids. Like absorbent floor mats in wet kitchen environments.

Tip: try feeding both ends of an absorbent sock through the unit’s rollers at the same time. This helps prevent socks from bursting during the wringing process.

Your spill containment and clean-up supply experts

No matter what you need from a hand wringer, AbsorbentsOnline can help. By recycling and reusing your absorbents you’ll save money and the earth!

We also offer a wide range of complimentary spill containment supplies. From overpack drum spill kits, to berms or pallets. Along with competitive pricing on facility maintenance products. Including dispensers, drain covers, and roll racks.

Want to learn more about spill control and waste minimization for your business at affordable pricing? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of November 24, 2015

What Absorbent Products Do I Need for My Construction Site?

March 14, 2018 by Travis Zdrazil

How to prepare construction sites for unexpected workplace spills

Oil absorbent pads are a convenient grab-and-throw solution for handling construction site spills

Spills happen. When they do, what extreme consequences could contractors and workers face? And how can chemical accidents negatively impact construction sites? These are especially important questions for contractors to keep in mind. Because industrial spills, and even stormwater runoff, can have dire consequences for construction environments and workers.

Employees who work with oil, diesel, solvents and other hazardous liquids must respond to spills immediately. These types of spills can affect vegetation, animals, people, and can even make their way into groundwater supplies. To effectively prepare, contractors must outfit their sites with equipment that allows crew members to respond quickly, efficiently, and successfully.

How? At bare minimum, every construction site should contain spill kits. Regardless of whether employees are working in an indoor or outdoor environment, spill kits provide all-in-one solutions to specific spill categories, giving contractors and the builders who work for them peace of mind.

All spills have unforeseen consequences

Spills left to advance and spread can cost contractors upwards of a hundred thousand dollars in site cleanup fees. That number doesn’t even include potential Environment Protection Agency (EPA) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines for violations. In any spill situation, it is the contractor’s responsibility to comply with all local, state, and federal regulatory agency guidelines.

At construction sites, diesel fuel can present major environmental issues. Contractors who keep diesel containers or vehicles on-site run the risk of developing drips and leaks as well as contaminating nearby water supplies, so proper preparation is imperative.

What kinds of solutions are available?

Spill kits are one way for site managers to easily handle construction site spill response. These kits come in three different categories that are typically color-coded:

Universal or General Purpose Kits – Include gray absorbents. Use them for cleaning up both water-based fluids and hydrocarbons. Such as oil or diesel from vehicles or construction machinery.
Oil-Only Kits – Contain white absorbents that repel water, absorbing hydrocarbons only. Because they float, cleanup crews them to absorb oils from contaminated water.
Hazmat Kits – Feature yellow absorbents designed to clean hazardous and aggressive fluids. Like acids, solvents and other chemicals.

What products should contractors stock?

Contractors may find the perfect tool for diverting pollutants in spill containment berm dikes. They may implement these dikes to direct pollutants away from sewers or other natural bodies of water in cases of diesel leaks or spills. With sizes ranging from 5-foot to 10-foot sections, contractors can use dikes to blockade spills, containing them before they can cause serious damage. Need to do more than contain? Constructed with tough outer mesh encased in superabsorbent polypropylene fillers, site managers can use oil absorbent booms to handle all types of hydrocarbon spills such as gasoline, diesel, or fuel and motor oils while repelling water at the same time.

For smaller spills, oil absorbent pillows or universal absorbent pillows can quickly soak up oil on land or water. Depending on the types of chemical agents on hand, hazmat absorbent pillows can facilitate site leaders in absorbing hazardous or unknown aggressive liquid spills.

As contractors are responsible for maintaining clean construction sites while avoiding environmental damage, even small gestures such as adding cigarette butt receptacles can go a long way. With well-stocked absorbent products and well-trained construction staff, contractors can ensure safety and efficiency on their sites.

Need help selecting the right absorbents for your construction site?

The professionals at AbsorbentsOnline can help! Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633. You can also check out our handy list of industry-specific spill response and absorbent products for construction sites.

Do I Have the Right Absorbents for My Manufacturing Plant?

November 15, 2017 by Travis Zdrazil

Absorbents help keep manufacturing facilities ready for unexpected spills

In the manufacturing industry, it’s important to maintain a clean, safe workplace. And that isn’t possible without the right chemical absorbent materials. That’s because — no matter how careful you are — fluid spills are inevitable in manufacturing. When those spills do occur, it’s imperative you have the materials you need to clean them up quickly and safely so you can get back to work.

The everyday basics

From slow, inconvenient oil or coolant drips to full-on leaks due to human error or equipment damage, day-to-day work in a manufacturing plant comes with leaks and spills that all need to be contained and cleaned up. That requires keeping a library of basic safety products on hand.

When accidents happen, it’s important to have cleaning shop rags and towels readily available for quick cleanups. Consider eco-friendly products like shop towels made of up to 40% post-consumer product and shop rags made of reclaimed cloth. Also keep in mind fluids don’t just end up on floors and equipment — they can also get on employees’ hands. That’s why grease wipes are another must-have on the manufacturing floor.

Speaking of floors, absorbents mats can help you keep your facility’s floors clean and dry even in the face of equipment drips and leaks. And it’s not just machines that need mats — anti-fatigue mats can protect manufacturers’ health through hours of standing while also keeping them safe from slips and falls.

Be ready for spills and leaks

Sometimes, shop rags aren’t enough. When a spill requires a little more attention, it’s time to bring out the big guns: industrial absorbents.

Pillows and socks — Absorbent pillows and socks are perfect for soaking up larger chemical spills quickly. Plus, they’re easy to wring out and reuse, making them cost-effective. These absorbents come in universal grey, oil white, and hazmat yellow.
Pads and rolls — Absorbent pads and rolls are great, affordable options for quick spill cleanup. Rolls make it easy to use just as much as you need for any given spill. These are also available in grey for universal absorbent purposes, white for hydrocarbons, and yellow for hazardous and aggressive fluids.

Some chemical absorbents allow users to wash and reuse them after spills, but others must be disposed. When it comes to disposing of hazardous materials and oils safely, waste containers are imperative. These containers are designed to help you comply with regulations regarding hazardous material containment and disposal.

Spill kits cover all your bases

Not sure precisely which chemical absorbents you need in your manufacturing plant? A spill kit can help you ensure you’re prepared to clean up any spill and dispose of used materials safely and effectively. Simply choose the spill kit that matches the fluids and quantities you’re working with.

Spill kits are divided by fluid — universal, hazmat, and oil — and each comes in different sizes to facilitate different-sized spills. Don’t see a spill kit that suits your facility or not sure which absorbents are right for your unique manufacturing needs? Work with a partner who can help you ensure you’re prepared to avoid danger, damage, and — worse yet — injuries to yourself and your fellow manufacturers.

Need help choosing the right absorbents for your manufacturing plant?

The professionals at AbsorbentsOnline can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633. You can also check out our spill clean-up and containment solutions specific to manufacturing and industrial businesses.

What Kinds of Absorbents Do Firefighters Need?

September 26, 2017 by Travis Zdrazil

firefighters cleaning up a truck fuel spill

Firefighters cleaning up a fuel spill

To the average person, it may seem like firefighters are more in the business of dispensing fluids than cleaning them up — but any firefighter knows he or she does a lot more than hold a fire hose, and that includes cleaning up spills. To do so effectively, it’s important to have the right absorbents and spill containment products both in the firehouse and in trucks.

What kinds of spills do firefighters face?

To see what sorts of spill containment challenges firefighters are dealing with every day, all you have to do is look to the news. For example, firefighters responding to a three-car collision in Harvard, Massachusetts used absorbents to clean up two small fluid leaks from vehicles involved in the crash. An oil absorbent pillow or oil absorbent pad would’ve been a likely candidate for this kind of job to both repel water and absorb oil-based fluids — and one pillow or pad can safely absorb more than 20 gallons.

In Halifax, Virginia, a tractor trailer pulled down some utility lines, resulting in a transformer leaking hydraulic fluid into the street. Firefighters used absorbents to create a dam to contain the leaking oil and prevent it from spreading while they orchestrated a spill cleanup. This can be done with a portable spill containment berm. Alternatively, absorbent socks can work in these applications if firefighters wanted to absorb the liquids, rather than just contain them.

A tanker accident in Hickory, North Carolina proves that spills can be unpredictable: The vehicle, which was carrying chicken byproduct, overturned and released the waste into the area. Firefighters shut the leaking valve, then built a dam from sand to prevent the waste from entering nearby storm drains. While sand did the trick in this instance, granular sorbents would’ve been an environmentally safe alternative capable of absorbing — not just blocking — the liquid.

Have the right absorbents on hand

firefighters laying granular absorbent on a truck diesel spill

Firefighter cleaning up after truck wreck

When firefighters are called to the scene, they need to do their jobs quickly and efficiently or they could risk lives and environmental contamination. And that doesn’t just apply in cases of fire but also in cases of spills. That’s why it’s imperative firefighters be prepared for any spill containment scenario with the right absorbents and equipment.

Whether it’s as simple as a drip pan for the fire truck or as convenient as a small, portable spill cleanup kit to tuck into the cab for minor emergencies, absorbentsonline.com has all the absorbent materials that a firehouse needs to tackle any spill. Need help choosing the right absorbents? Our experts can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

New to Buying Absorbents? Make Sure You Shop Smart

September 26, 2017 by Angie Meza

Oil absorbent pads help make easy work of messy cleanup

When you hear the term “industrial absorbents,” you may think of massive factories or plants dealing with major spills and leaks. And while those types of businesses certainly use industrial absorbents to keep their workplaces safe, clean, and prepared, they’re not the only ones who can benefit from the power of industrial absorbents. The efficiency and affordability that make these products such smart choices for industrial applications also make them smart choices on smaller scales, like small businesses, garages, boats, or even your own home.

There are plenty of reasons you may need absorbents: Maybe you have equipment that drips oil or fluids, or maybe you work with liquids that would be dangerous or messy if spilled. Perhaps you just do a lot of cleaning and want to spend less on your supplies!

If the thought of ordering industrial absorbents sounds daunting, don’t worry — it’s easier than you think! Most absorbents are available in a few basic color-coded categories:

Universal — A gray universal absorbent is designed for general-purpose use with a variety of fluids. If you aren’t sure exactly what you’ll need absorbents for, or if you’re mostly using water-based fluids, universal absorbent pillows or universal absorbent pads might be the right choice.
Oil only — Oil-only absorbents are exactly what they sound like: These white absorbents are specifically designed to safely absorb oil-based fluids. Oil-only absorbents like Abzorb oil mats or oil absorbent pads are especially great for garages. Many of these also repel water-based fluids, making it easy to target important spills and leaks.
Hazmat — It might seem like you’re unlikely to have hazardous materials in your home or business, but did you know that even flammable liquids, like rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, and pesticides are considered hazardous? Yellow hazmat absorbents like chemical absorbent socks can help you safely deal with spills of more dangerous natures. Hazardous waste containers keep these fluids and used absorbents under control until you can safely dispose of them.

And there’s more to industrial safety products! Maybe an anti-fatigue mat would improve life for those who stand in your garage, kitchen, or at your cash register. A commercial degreaser could make cleanup easier anywhere, and shop towel wipes are always handy additions to any home and workplace.

Ordering industrial absorbents is easy. And if you decide that they’re useful enough to use regularly, you can set up an auto-shipment service to make sure you never run out of the absorbents you need — and save on your favorite products.

To learn which spill control products are best suited to your life and design your own custom spill kit, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Never Run Out of the Products You Rely On

July 24, 2017 by Travis Zdrazil

Auto-ship services make life easier: Receive industrial absorbents at your door

Simplify your life: add absorbents to your auto-ship schedule

Life has never been more convenient for busy people. Those who struggle to find time for errands and day-to-day tasks can now have their meals, razors, and even their underwear delivered to them by mail when they need it.

These services have become popular because they offer a multitude of benefits. Recurring mail orders like these mean you never run out of the products you want, so you always have what you need when you need it. Since it’s automated, you only place your order once, and it automatically recurs on whatever basis you choose, saving you the time you would’ve otherwise spent placing orders.

Since you customize your own order quantity and frequency, you don’t have to worry about receiving too much or too little product or about getting orders too frequently or not often enough. And of course, there’s no getting stuck with items you don’t need: You can change your order at any time.

These services are so convenient you might expect them to be expensive — but shockingly, many of these services offer discounts that can save you money. It almost sounds too good to be true. So, what would you say if you could use these services not just for your toilet paper and pet food but at your workplace, too?

truck driving on highway

AbsorbentsOnline offers auto-ship ordering

Now, you can receive the absorbent and safety materials you need in the mail! Get shipments on whatever recurring timeline suits your home or business schedule so you never run out of the absorbents you need to live and operate day in and day out.

Do you find you’re running out of shop rags before you’ve had a chance to order new ones or using them until they’re long past worn out? Place an auto-ship order for reclaimed shop rags and receive them by mail when you need them. Make cleanup easy by ordering and ensuring you always have a commercial degreaser on hand.

Whether in an industrial setting or in your home or garage, you never want to be stuck with a spill, leak, or mess you aren’t prepared to clean up. But you can’t always remember just when it’s time to place a new order, and too often you may find yourself needing a product that you’re out of. Auto-ship can solve this problem for good. And if your needs change, you can change your order to match. There’s no downside!

Ready to set up your first auto-shipment of absorbents and save 10% on most absorbent products in every order? Contact our sales team at sales@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

OSHA and Absorbents: Making Safety a Standard

May 24, 2017 by Travis Zdrazil

You have the right to a safe work environment. In fact, your workplace leaders are legally required to take certain steps, such as providing the right spill kits to handle emergencies to lessen your risk of being injured on the job. But that wasn’t always true! The Operational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created nearly 50 years ago to turn workplace safety into law. And to this day, its members are continuously making changes and updates to look out for you while you’re on the clock.

OSHA and absorbents

Oil spill.

If someone asked you what absorbent materials were for, you’d probably say “absorbing” — and you’d be right, of course! But while that may be their literal purpose, they have another purpose when it comes to the big picture: safety.

A few drips of oil that gather underneath a forklift between uses might not seem like a big deal, but they can present a slip hazard that could seriously injure workers climbing in or out of the forklift. In industrial settings, workers could accidentally spill hazardous materials and present dangers to nearby employees. Even water seems harmless until it’s unconfined or somewhere it isn’t supposed to be.

Being prepared to contain or soak up these kinds of spills is essential to protecting employees. That’s why OSHA offers a comprehensive guide to hazardous waste operations, including plenty of information on emergency responses to ensure those in each workplace have the necessary absorbents and training to handle whatever spills they may experience in their facilities.

OSHA updates, adds new rules

First aid kit and construction hard hat

Workplaces and technology are constantly changing, which means OSHA regulations need to change alongside them. Work environments today aren’t the same as they were at the time of the administration’s inception in 1970, and new technology and equipment mean new hazards to look out for.

For example, in one recent update, OSHA members created a new rule requiring greater transparency around workplace injuries and illness, incentivizing workplace safety by making safety failures public. It even includes provisions against retaliation, ensuring that workers feel comfortable reporting illness and injury.

In another recent change, OSHA updated the Walking-Working Surfaces standard. This standard exists to help prevent slip and fall injuries. Under the new Walking-Working Surfaces standard, employers have the flexibility to choose the fall protection methods that work best for their businesses, and there are stricter requirements in place for fall protection training.

Administrators sometimes make changes to regulations dealing with absorbents, too. Prior to a 2016 rule, OSHA regulation permitted exposing workers to deadly levels of respirable crystalline silica. OSHA predicts “the new rule will save more than 600 lives and prevent more than 900 cases of silicosis – an incurable lung disease – each year.”

Of course, some granular absorbents use silica, which means many facility leaders will have to switch to silica-free absorbents like Gran-sorb, Corn Cob, or Peat Moss Absorbents — or risk harming employees and receiving OSHA citations.

OSHA beginnings

Most people in the workforce today don’t remember a time before OSHA. But nearly 50 years ago, there was no law saying any business leader had to provide a safe workplace for his or her employees.

Working conditions were dangerous across the United States when former President Richard Nixon signed the Williams Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which led to the creation of OSHA. OSHA members’ goal from day one was to provide training, outreach, and assistance to business decision-makers to help them keep their employees safe, but they started out small.

Absorbents didn’t come into the picture until later: Actually, it wasn’t until March 1989 — almost 20 years after OSHA was founded — that the administration publicized an official final rule regarding emergency response to hazardous waste spills. Although OSHA members have updated hazardous waste rules in the years since, that rule was the foundation of the regulation that protects those who work with hazardous waste to this day.

Absorbents play an essential safety role

These days, having the correct absorbent materials and effectively training employees on using them are safety keys in almost any industrial workplace. OSHA requirements for spill response focus on comprehensive spill response plan creation and upkeep, including obtaining, storing, and training staff on using appropriate absorbents.

For example, depending on the kinds of liquids you handle in your facility, you need a different spill kit type. Employees who use hydrocarbons in facilities may do best with oil-only kits while those who work with hazardous liquids instead need hazmat kits.

Even if you don’t work with liquids, your workplace is still susceptible to spills! For instance, forklifts contain fluids that can easily leak onto the floor, presenting slip hazards. A forklift mat can absorb those fluids and help keep forklift operators safe.

Throughout the decades, OSHA continues to change and grow to best meet the needs of workers nationwide. Similarly, workplace leaders need to change and grow with shifting OSHA regulations to ensure workers are always as safe as possible.

To learn which spill-control products you need for OSHA compliance, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.