3. Assess Your Spill History
If you want to prevent spillage, start by looking at the data you already have.
From there, review your facility’s history of spills, leaks, and slip/trip/fall incidents. Break this information down by machine, work area, and walk path. Patterns usually show up quickly. You may notice that the same piece of equipment leaks repeatedly, or that one aisle is involved in multiple near-misses. Those patterns tell you exactly where to focus your prevention efforts.
Next, create an action plan. This might include maintenance changes, equipment upgrades, better absorbent placement, or updated work procedures. The goal is simple: stop small, recurring issues before they turn into major incidents.
It’s also important to look beyond reportable spills. Unfortunately, not all spills make it into official records. Many facilities only document spills that are OSHA or EPA reportable. Therefore, smaller leaks and day-to-day drips may add up and can increase risk and make it harder to prevent spillage long term.
To fill in those gaps, look for indirect indicators of spill activity, such as absorbent usage and employee feedback.
Here are practical ways to uncover hidden spill history:
- Require spill kit usage reporting. Anytime a spill kit is used—even for a minor leak—have it reported to the safety manager. This builds a clearer record of recurring issues.
- Review absorbent utilization reports. If you use a managed oil absorbent service like SorbIts®, you can access reports that show absorbent usage by machine or staging area. High usage often points to chronic leaks or process inefficiencies.
- Talk directly with machine operators. Operators know where leaks happen most often. Ask them about non-reportable spills, routine drips, and areas where absorbents are used frequently just to “stay ahead” of a mess.
- Encourage informal reporting. Create a low-barrier way for employees to report leaks and near-miss spills. A simple form, checklist, or verbal check-in can reveal problems that never appear in formal logs.
By combining official records with real-world usage data, you gain a complete understanding of spill activity in your facility. That insight is essential if your goal is to prevent spillage, reduce cleanup costs, and improve overall workplace safety.
