Mercury is used in many industries and laboratories. If your company manufactures barometers, thermometers, blood pressure instruments, and other pressure-sensing items, you likely work near or with mercury. Likewise, it is used in a variety of consumer products because it remains a liquid while at room temperature. The problem with it is that it can be dangerous if inhaled or if it gets on the skin. It is common to have a spillage occasionally, which needs to be cleaned up properly and quickly.
Damages
Mercury has been known to cause damage to many vital organs, including the lungs, kidneys, brain, and unborn children. Even brief contact with this material can cause fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, and behavioural changes, which is why clean-up kits are essential. However, you can’t use just any spill kit, even a universal one. It is imperative that you use a mercury spill kit.
What To Consider
Companies like EcoSpill understand the urgent need for safety when dealing with this substance. Therefore, they ensure that all of their kits come with the PPE necessary. You’ll find goggles, gloves and all the tools needed to get the mercury off the floor and into a specialty container designed to store it for disposal.
Likewise, you will want to consider vapour control when dealing with mercury. The kit you choose must be able to ensure that the mercury will not be inhaled by employees. Therefore, the package you select should contain a vapour suppressor, mercury aspirator, and disposal containers, as well.
It is also essential that everyone knows what to do when this substance is spilled. Read the directions thoroughly before starting to clean up so that you don’t avoid waste while using the product. Likewise, some kits require mixing different absorbents together, so make sure you understand all the directions before using it.