Volume 4 • Issue 2 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional 39
should have an assortment of products for spill mitigation of a
s
pill for both types of controls. Quick and simple actions by prop-
erly trained responders to minimize the amount of a spill as well
as the area of involvement can reduce the amount of clean-up
time and, thus, reduce the incident time frame requirements. For
most traffic incidents involving incidental spills, Level II trained
r
esponders can effectively deal with the smaller vehicle spills if
they have access to the appropriate equipment and materials.
The impact of larger spills can be minimized by quick action,
s
uch as placing drain protection covers over the storm sewer
inlets by DOT personnel. Properly trained responders can also
reduce the incident time line in some cases involving minor vehi-
cle crashes by having access to a spill kit containing an assort-
ment of absorbents.
There are basically three types of spill kits. The type of spill kit
that a first responder will use depends upon what liquids need
to be cleaned up. The three main types are:
1. Universal or General Purpose Spill Kits. Universal or
general purpose spill kits contain gray absorbents made with
activated charcoal or a similar capturing agent. Universal or gen-
eral purpose spill kits are used to clean-up both water-based flu-
ids and hydrocarbons.
2. Oil-Only Spill Kits. Oil-only spill kits are used to clean-up
hydrocarbons only (motor oil, jet fuel, diesel, gasoline, hydraulic
oil, etc.) and contain white absorbents that repel and float on
water.
3. Hazmat Spill Kits. Hazmat spill kits contain yellow
absorbents to clean-up aggressive fluids, such as acids and sol-
vents, and will absorb hydrocarbons as well as water-based flu-
ids.
The size of the spill is an important factor in determining the
mitigation technique a first responder will use. Spill kits come in
various sizes. For small volume spills, first responders may use
bagged or bucket spill kits. For large volume spills, a drum or
wheeled cart/mobile spill kit may be better suited. In each case,
both types of spill kits are easily carried on a response vehicle
and can provide safe containment of the material until proper
disposal can be facilitated.