Spill kits are available to manage an acid spill by neutralizing the chemical as well as the toxic fumes it gives off. Once the chemical has been neutralized, it is safe to complete cleanup of the area and dispose of the spill material.

Guidelines for the Use of the Acid Spill Kit

• Assess the risk and identify the volume and type of chemical spilled.
• Assess the amount of spill control supplies that are immediately available.
• Summon HAZ-MAT or Emergency Response Team if necessary.
• Evacuate everyone who is not wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Restrict access to spill area. Select and use PPE to be worn while managing the spill.
• Confine the spill using absorbent socks, dikes, pillows, booms, drain blocker.
• Stop the source of the spill, which may mean:
• Closing a valve
• Plugging a leak
• Repairing a valve, ruptured pipeline, or chemical storage barrel, if possible

Cleanup With Acid Spill Kit Supplies

• Larger Acid Spill Kits contain a Spill Gun which contains an Acid Spill Neutralizer. This allows workers to handle a spill from a safe distance and it can also be used to pinpoint hard to reach areas.
• This technology allows a one-step application to mitigate dangerous vapors and fumes while neutralizing the spilled material. It decreases additional release of toxic vapors. This is very important as when neutralizing chemicals are applied to the spill, heat is generated and more vapors could result. Instead, a foam blanket is created which suppresses vapors from the spill
• The neutralizer acts as a natural gas/vapor scrubber and  decreases the heat that is given off by the chemical action
• A color indicator shows the degree and rate of neutralization.
• Chemical spill will gradually solidify to a neutralized gel which can be cleaned up Neutralized material is disposed of in appropriate containers or bags.

Acid Spill kits are available in various quantities and should be suitable for the area and size of any anticipated spill. A college laboratory will most likely not have the volume of acids on hand that will be found in a chemical manufacturing plant. A smaller wall mounted kit might be adequate for the college lab but unsuitable for the volume of a spill inside a factory. Chemicals are also packaged on caddys, dollys, and in carts which would function well inside a building but could be difficult to move over rough terrain to a spill site. Stowaway kits are ideal for use in small areas like truck cabs, EMS vehicles, and fire trucks. 

The Scout slogan, ‘Be Prepared’, is very appropriate when dealing with hazardous chemicals. With Acid Spill Kits, personnel will be equipped to neutralize, clean up and safely dispose of a spill.

• Highly explosive
• Very toxic
• Flammable
• Corrosive
• Volatile or unstable

Next, the employee situation and resources should be quickly evaluated:

• Has anyone been injured?
• Is the spill life-threatening or presenting a danger of fire or an explosion?  
• Are the employees on hand well- trained?
• Are there adequate supplies to handle this spill?
  

Using the Acid Spill Kit
If a spill occurs:

1. Evacuate the area or cordon off the spill.
2. Call 911 or emergency help if needed.
3. Take care of anyone who might have been contaminated by the acid, following approved first aid procedures.
4. Use personal protective equipment provided in the acid spill kit.
5. If the spill is small, apply neutralizer to it. This is usually a powder to be sprinkled over the spill.
6. Use a sufficient quantity of neutralizer. Its polymers will neutralize and encapsulate the chemical.
7. The spill will become a gel and its color will change, an indication that it has been neutralized. 
8. Use the whisk broom and dust pan from the kit to clean up the gel.
9. Place this material in the bag that comes in the kit. 
10. Dispose of according to federal, state and local regulations.
    

All employees should be trained in the use of the Spill Kits and if there is a variety of chemicals in the workplace, employees must know which spill kit is appropriate for each. Any spill that is not contained and cleaned up properly can become an emergency.

• Assess the risk and identify the volume and type of chemical spilled.
• Assess the amount of spill control supplies that are immediately available.
• Summon HAZ-MAT or Emergency Response Team if necessary.
• Evacuate everyone who is not wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Restrict access to spill area. 
• Select and use PPE to be worn while managing the spill.
• Confine the spill using absorbent socks, dikes, pillows, booms, drain blocker.
• Stop the source of the spill, which may mean: 
  • Closing a valve
  • Plugging a leak
  • Repairing a valve, ruptured pipeline, or chemical storage barrel, if possible
    

• Larger Acid Spill Kits contain a Spill Gun which contains an Acid Spill Neutralizer. This allows workers to handle a spill from a safe distance and it can also be used to pinpoint hard to reach areas.
• This technology allows a one-step application to mitigate dangerous vapors and fumes while neutralizing the spilled material. It decreases additional release of toxic vapors. This is very important as when neutralizing chemicals are applied to the spill, heat is generated and more vapors could result. Instead, a foam blanket is created which suppresses vapors from the spill
• The neutralizer acts as a natural gas/vapor scrubber and  decreases the heat that is given off by the chemical action
• A color indicator shows the degree and rate of neutralization.
• Chemical spill will gradually solidify to a neutralized gel which can be cleaned up
• Neutralized material is disposed of in appropriate containers or bags.