General Purpose Spill Kits

Choosing a General Purpose Spill Kit

General Purpose Spill Kits are designed for common workplace spills where a general-purpose absorbent is appropriate. Typical applications can include oils, coolants, water-based liquids and other non-aggressive workplace fluids encountered during maintenance, storage and everyday operations.

They are commonly used in workshops, warehouses, manufacturing areas, maintenance facilities, loading areas and service vehicles where more than one type of everyday liquid may need to be absorbed.

Spillmaster supplies General Purpose Spill Kits in 15L, 30L, 50L, 80L, 120L and 240L sizes. The appropriate kit depends on the liquids present, the reasonably foreseeable spill, where spills could occur and how quickly response equipment can be accessed.

If you are comparing different spill kit types or sizes, see our How to Select a Spill Kit guide. You can also return to the complete Spill Kits range to compare General Purpose, Oil & Fuel, Chemical/Hazchem, Marine and Biohazard options.

Where Are General Purpose Spill Kits Used?

General Purpose spill kits are useful where everyday operations create the potential for spills involving a mixture of common workplace liquids. Typical locations include:

• Workshops and maintenance areas — around machinery, equipment servicing and routine maintenance activities.
• Warehouses and distribution facilities — where liquids are stored, moved or used across different work areas.
• Manufacturing facilities — for appropriate non-aggressive liquids associated with production and equipment operation.
• Loading and receiving areas — where containers can be damaged or liquids spilled during handling.
• Service and maintenance vehicles — where compact response equipment can be kept close to mobile work activities.

The important consideration is the liquid involved. A General Purpose kit should not automatically be selected simply because it is the most versatile option. If your primary risk is hydrocarbons around water or wet environments, an Oil & Fuel Spill Kit may be more appropriate. Chemical spills may require a Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kit and chemical-compatible response equipment.

What's Inside a General Purpose Spill Kit?

General Purpose spill kits combine absorbent and response components so commonly needed equipment can be kept together and accessed quickly. Depending on the particular kit and size, components can include absorbent pads, containment socks, loose absorbent, PPE and disposal bags.

Containment socks can be positioned around a spill to help control its spread, while pads and loose absorbent can be used to recover suitable liquids from the affected surface. PPE and disposal items provide additional equipment for managing the cleanup process.

Kit contents vary according to the product and size. Check the individual product page for the exact components supplied rather than assuming every General Purpose kit contains the same quantities.

Selecting the Right General Purpose Spill Kit Size

Do not select a General Purpose Spill Kit solely from the litre number in its product name. Spill kit litre designations identify different kit sizes within the range and should not automatically be treated as a guaranteed absorbency capacity.

Consider the liquids being handled, the quantity that could reasonably be released, the number of potential spill locations, nearby drains or sensitive areas and how quickly staff can reach the kit.

Smaller bagged kits can suit vehicles and localised work areas, while larger mobile kits can provide more response materials for workshops, warehouses and industrial facilities. On larger sites, positioning several appropriately selected kits near likely spill areas may provide faster access than relying on one central kit.

General Purpose Spill Kit FAQs