Archive for the ‘Matting’ Category

Janitorial Supplies – Michigan – Wisconsin – Tennessee

Absorbent Pads

The wide variety of absorbent mats available on the market helps ensure that there is a task-specific mat for nearly every application. However, sometimes too much choice can make it more difficult to choose and help is needed to select the right absorbent. Universal, oil and chemical spill pads are the types of absorbents you will most commonly find on the market which soak up many types of liquids. Universal mats take in a combination of different liquids whilst there are oil and chemical absorbent pads that are designed to soak up specific types of liquid. These different types are also available in different weights and strengths for you to choose from.

So how can you make sure you choose the best absorbent mat for your application? By answering the three questions below you can make sure that you choose the best absorbent mat for your application.

1. What liquids are you working with?

Firstly, you should identify all the types of liquid that you work with in your facility. Using the wrong type of absorbent will mean the spill won’t be absorbed and is likely to spread, possibly causing even more of a hazard. Using the right type of absorbent pad will allow for fast, efficient spill cleanup.

There are typically three types of absorbent mats available on the market which are color-coded for ease of selection, these are:

• Universal Absorbent Pads – absorb a variety of non-aggressive liquids including oils, coolants, solvents and water. Typically these types of absorbents are grey in color to hide grime and blend in well with industrial and other workplace settings.

• Chemical Spill Pads – soak up aggressive liquids such as acids, bases, oxidisers and any unknown liquids. These are color coded pink for quick identification and high visibility of a dangerous spill situation.

• Oil Absorbent Pads – absorb petroleum-based liquids from the surface of the water and can also be used on land-based spills during rainfall. These are typically color coded white

Determining the types of liquids you work with will ensure that you choose a compatible absorbent mat, the clean up of leaks and spills is made easier and you can make sure your facility is cleaner and safer for your employees.

2. What volume of liquid is likely to spill?

When choosing your absorbent mat, consider the maximum amount of liquid that is likely to spill as this will determine the best weight of mat that you will need for your application. Universal, Oil and Chemical spill pads are usually available in three weights: heavy-weight, medium-weight and light-weight.

It is important to choose the right weight of mat so that your absorbent mats are used to their full potential and money isn’t wasted. Using a heavy-weight mat in a low-volume application may mean that the pad is thrown away before it is fully saturated. Likewise, a light-weight mat that needs to be changed out four times during a single shift means money lost on inefficient and unnecessary labor costs. Finding a balance between volume and absorbency is an important part of your leak and spill pad selection.

3. What kind of traffic is in the area?

The kind of traffic in the area where a spill is likely to happen is another important thing to consider when selecting your universal, chemical or oil absorbent pads. Determining this will let you know how durable your absorbent mat needs to be. In areas of high traffic where forklifts and carts are used you will need an extremely durable, long wearing mat; whereas in lower traffic areas such as aisles, walkways and under machines normal light, medium and heavy weight mats will be suitable.

Universal, oil and chemical spill pads can help keep production areas cleaner and safer by absorbing different liquids and providing a drier walking surface, providing you choose the right absorbent mat for your specific application. By answering the three questions above it will point you in the right direction and you can make sure your facility is prepared for dangerous leaks and spills.

4. Do you need any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

The variety of liquids that have the potential to create a spill is vast. Spill responders also come in all shapes and sizes. Because of these two factors, we do not supply PPE with our kits, because a spill kit that contains the wrong gloves or the wrong size suit isn’t going to do you a lot of good in an already stressful situation. We do, however, allow room in our kits for PPE to be added. This helps ensure that workers will be properly protected, and the right equipment will be readily available.

1) Universal maintenance

When you are not sure what kind of spill to expect, a universal pad is will quickly soak up just about any type of liquids. When choosing your universal absorbent pad, it is important that you choose one that is perforated so that you can use only what you need. It should also be gray to mask dirt, and you should be able to wring out for repeated use.

The universal maintenance absorbent pad is ideal for absorbing hydraulic fluids, water, vegetable oil, acetone, turpentine, hexane, MEK, and many other kinds of fluids.

2) Oil only

When choosing a sorbent pad that absorbs oil, you want one that is lint-free and allows for quick wicking. Oil should not remain on a surface for too long, especially if you don’t want that surface to stain.

You can use an oil absorbent pad on land or water, basically whenever or wherever unwanted oil is present. As the name indicates, these types of pads absorb hydrocarbons only. They repel and float on water so that oil can be extracted from water.

3) Economy oil only

The economy oil absorbent pad absorbs oil on contact. Its bright color makes it easy to see when the pad is completely saturated with oil.

These sorbent pads can also be used on land or on water to soak up oil spills. All hydrocarbons can be absorbed, including fuel oil, gasoline, lubricating oils, and diesel.

4) Hazmat

When hazardous chemicals are spilled, they need to be absorbed especially quickly because they are most likely to be harmful to a person’s health. Having perforated and strong hazmat absorbent pads handy can increase the safety of your environment.

Hazmat absorbent pads are ideal for any spills of known and unknown liquids, including caustic soda, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and other harmful chemicals.

5) Polybacked absorbent pad

These types of sorbent pads are made from two layers of fine fiber polypropylene that is bonded around a meltdown core with an impenetrable poly backing. The chemical resistant backing protects your flooring and even your hands from most liquids.

Polybacked absorbent pads can be used as a general purpose absorbent that absorbs liquids, including water-based liquids.

6) Anti-static

Anti-static sorbent pads are pads that are specially treated to repel water and absorb oil, as well as other hydrocarbons.

These pads can be used to absorb fuels that are volatile even in cold temperatures.

So when looking for the right sorbent pad, make sure you take a look at the oils and liquids that you need absorbed to ensure you get the right kind. With the right pad, your work environment will be much dryer, cleaner, and safer.

Buy Absorbent Mats and all of your janitorial needs at *AMERISOURCE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY*

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