On the surface, workplace spills can seem like relatively minor issues. However, they can actually lead to much bigger problems if one isn’t careful. Therefore, it’s important to know how to handle them effectively…
Workplace Spills: Proper Cleaning
Make the spill known
The first part of handling a workplace spill is letting others working around you know what’s happened. This is key for any kind of spill, but it’s especially important if something dangerous has been spilled. For instance, spilling water may just pose a slip risk. Spilling oil or some other chemical could also pose other health hazards, on top of being slippery.
Usually, all you need to do is just give out a quick heads-up that something has spilled. Standing by the area for a moment will let others see what they should look out for. If something dangerous has spilled, let everyone in the area know and evacuate if needed.
Control and contain
Once everyone is aware of the workplace spill, you’ll then want to control and contain it. If it’s something hazardous, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing the right kind of equipment that’ll keep you safe when cleaning. For non-hazardous things, you can quickly get to controlling the spill by stopping its source.
With the source of the spill taken care of, you can next contain what spilled on the floor. You may need to put up some kind of of blockers around the spill in order to do so. After you’ve contained it, make sure you put up things like wet floor signs to let others know the area still is dangerous.
Clean the spill
Lastly, after containing the spill, you can begin to clean it up. If it’s a relatively small spill, you might just need some paper towels to do the job. Other spills may require a mop to get the floor properly clean. Still, be sure you use the right cleaning supplies for the spill, especially if it’s hazardous.
Possibly the best way to handle workplace spills is by being proactive about avoiding them. That means keeping an eye out for leaks and reporting them when found. It’s also good to avoid putting things which can spill at the edge of tables or desks, where they can easily fall off. After all, if nothing spills, then there’s nothing to clean!