Chemical & Hazchem Spill Kits

Choosing a Chemical & Hazchem Spill Kit

Chemical Spill Kits (Hazchem) are intended for chemical spill response where chemical-compatible absorbents and equipment are required. They are commonly considered for workplaces that handle acids, alkalis, corrosive liquids and other hazardous chemicals that may not be suitable for General Purpose or Oil & Fuel absorbents.

Chemical properties vary considerably. Before responding to a chemical spill, identify the substance where possible and check the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS), chemical compatibility information and your workplace emergency procedures. Do not assume that an absorbent, PPE item or other spill-response component is suitable for every chemical.

Spillmaster supplies Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kits in 15L, 30L, 50L, 80L, 120L and 240L sizes. The appropriate kit depends on the chemicals present, potential spill volume, work area, response procedures and accessibility of the equipment.

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

Where Are Chemical & Hazchem Spill Kits Used?

Chemical spill kits can form part of workplace spill-response arrangements wherever hazardous chemicals are stored, transferred, dispensed or used. Typical applications can include:

• Laboratories — where acids, alkalis and other laboratory chemicals are handled.
• Manufacturing and processing areas — where chemicals are used as part of production or cleaning processes.
• Chemical storage areas — where containers may be damaged or leaks may occur during storage or handling.
• Decanting and dosing areas — where liquids are transferred between containers or introduced into processes.
• Maintenance and industrial facilities — where hazardous chemicals may be used alongside other workplace liquids.

The location of a spill kit should reflect the site's risk assessment and emergency procedures. Equipment should be accessible without requiring a responder to move through the spill or enter an unsafe area to retrieve it.

Chemical Compatibility Comes First

Selecting a chemical spill kit is different from choosing equipment for a routine oil, fuel or coolant spill. The absorbents, PPE and other response materials need to be suitable for the chemical involved and the conditions in which they will be used.

Before use, check the substance identity and relevant SDS where possible. Pay particular attention to incompatibilities, required PPE, exposure hazards and any specific spill-response or disposal instructions supplied for that chemical.

For unknown, highly reactive or particularly hazardous substances, do not assume that a standard spill kit makes the incident safe to approach. Follow your workplace emergency procedures and obtain specialist assistance where the hazards cannot be safely identified or controlled.

What's Inside a Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kit?

Depending on the product and size, Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kits can include chemical absorbent pads, containment socks, loose absorbent, PPE and disposal bags. These components provide equipment for containing and recovering suitable chemical spills and managing contaminated cleanup materials.

Containment socks can help limit the spread of a suitable liquid, while pads and loose absorbent can be used as appropriate to recover spilled material. PPE requirements depend on the chemical and exposure risk and should be checked against the SDS and workplace procedures.

Kit contents vary by product and size. Check the individual Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kit product page for the exact components supplied and confirm their suitability for your intended application.

Selecting the Right Chemical Spill Kit Size

Do not select a Chemical/Hazchem Spill Kit solely from the litre number in the 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 chemicals and quantities present, the reasonably foreseeable spill, container sizes, potential spill locations, nearby drains or sensitive areas, the site's emergency procedures and how quickly suitable response equipment can be reached.

Smaller kits can provide localised response equipment for appropriate applications, while larger mobile kits provide more response materials for facilities with greater spill-response requirements. Larger sites may also benefit from positioning appropriate equipment near separate chemical-use or storage areas rather than relying on one distant kit.

Chemical & Hazchem Spill Kit FAQs