As the days get longer and the weather shifts, many regions face the annual risk of heavy rains and spring flooding. For facility managers and safety officers, this season brings a unique set of challenges. Stormwater runoff can introduce pollutants, and unexpected water infiltration can lead to spills of oil, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.

Being prepared is not just a good idea, it's an essential part of protecting your people, your property, and the environment. Use this checklist to ensure your facility is ready for anything the spring season throws at it.

Assess Your Vulnerability

Before you can prepare, you need to know your risks.

• Identify Potential Entry Points: Walk your facility and look for any low-lying areas, doors, or windows where water could enter. Pay close attention to areas near chemical storage or machinery.
• Review Your Inventory: Take stock of all the liquids and chemicals stored on-site. Know what you have and where it's located so you can plan for a potential spill.
• Check Your Drains: Ensure all storm drains and floor drains are clear of debris. A clogged drain can quickly turn a small leak into a major flooding issue.

Inspect Your Current Absorbent Supplies

Don't assume your old supplies are ready to go.

• Check Expiration Dates: While many absorbents don't have a hard expiration date, prolonged storage in poor conditions can affect their performance.
• Inspect for Degradation: Look for any signs of physical damage, like tears in packaging or a breakdown of the material itself. Absorbents should be dry and ready for immediate use.
• Verify Location and Access: Make sure all spill kits and supplies are in their designated locations and are easily accessible to all trained personnel.

Stock Up on the Right Absorbents

Having the right tools for the job is critical. For spring flood season, you need absorbents that can handle water and other liquids effectively.

• Spill Control Kits: These are essential for containing and cleaning up messes. Use your kit around spills or across doorways to block and absorb incoming liquids.
• Universal Absorbent Socks & Booms: Use these for creating a flexible perimeter around machinery or spill zones to contain liquids and prevent them from spreading.
• Absorbent Pads & Rolls: Keep a large supply on hand for cleaning up spills on floors and other surfaces. The high capacity of these products means you'll use less material for a more effective cleanup.

Organize and Train Your Team

The best supplies in the world are useless if no one knows how to use them.

• Conduct a Refresher Training: Go over spill response protocols with your team. Review the location of all safety equipment and practice using it.
• Assign Roles: Clearly define who is responsible for what in a spill-control scenario.

Being proactive is the best way to protect your facility from the unexpected challenges of spring weather. At AbsorbentsForLess, a brand of the OES Global family, we provide the professional-grade products you need to stay prepared, all for a price that makes sense.

Visit AbsorbentsForLess.com to get your facility ready for anything.