Small spills, such as spilled oil or solvent, happen every day in industrial environments. Regular cloth or paper towels are not absorbent enough to wipe away industrial dirt. When you use products fit for the purpose, you can easily absorb small spills and contribute to work safety at the same time.
Different kinds of chemical spills are often caused by equipment breakdowns, broken gaskets or careless handling. Absorbent mats are important tools if oil, solvents or other industrial fluids end up in the wrong place. If there is a spill, absorbent products help prevent damage caused by chemicals in an affordable and effective way. When choosing the right product, consider the characteristics of different kinds of liquids and whether the product is to be used in a preventive or reactive way. Below we describe six different ways of using absorbent products. We recommend that you always have absorbent products readily available.
Absorb oil from fluids
When working on metal, it is important that no foreign substance ends up in the working fluid tank, because they affect the way the fluid works. If oil drips from a machine and ends up in the fluid, it spreads over the surface. The Metasorb oil absorbent mat is made from light polypropylene that floats well. It efficiently absorbs oil but no water. It is an excellent choice for absorbing oil from metal-working fluids.
Absorb oil spilled on the floor
Damaged gaskets and hoses can result in oil ending up on the floor. If oil is spilled on the floor, under a machine or in a trough, it has to be absorbed quickly to ensure that it does not end up in the sewer system through floor drains. The Meta-eko oil absorbent mat is made from recycled wool. It is an ecological alternative to absorb oil on dry surfaces.
Protect surfaces during repair and installation
The surfaces in industrial facilities are protected when installing and commissioning new machines. The robust Metasorb dirt absorbent mat provides long-term protection and has good resistance to wearing. The thick mat also prevents bruises and scratches.
Stop dirt from spreading
You can temporarily protect floors and countertops with absorbent mats. You can also use them as dirt absorbent mats in work areas. When using, for instance, adhesives and lacquers, Corrimat is an excellent choice, because it does not stick to the surface below. It can also be used as a floor runner between industrial areas and other rooms. This way solid or liquid dirt does not spread from one area to another on shoe soles. If you carry different kinds of fluids or machines in the trunk of your car, it is worth covering the bottom of the trunk with a protective mat.
Use when cleaning up or waxing floors
Absorbent mats are also useful when cleaning up. They make detergent solutions flow and drip less when washing windows and other vertical surfaces. Absorbent mats are often very handy when waxing floors, because they prevent wax from spreading to other surfaces. If a protective mat is rolled out to the doorway or close proximity of the waxed space, it is easy to move waxing equipment from the waxed area without getting other areas dirty. You can also remove your shoes when covered with wax while standing on a protective mat. Corrimat absorbs all kinds of fluids. It is suitable for temporarily protecting all kinds of surfaces.
Help avoid worst case scenarios
Universal Metasorb absorbent mats help to control any kind of spill quickly. They absorb all kinds of fluids up to 20 times their own weight. Absorbent mats work well on small and controllable spills, but remember to contact rescue authorities, if necessary. If there is a large spill, it is important to eliminate further damage by making sure that chemicals do not end up in the sewer system, for instance. Absorbent mats can also be used in vehicles carrying dangerous goods to control spills.
Disposal of used mats
The disposal of used absorbent mats always depends on the absorbed substance. Store used absorbent mats appropriately and take them to suitable waste collection points.
When working on metal, it is important that no foreign substance ends up in the working fluid tank, because they affect the way the fluid works. If oil drips from a machine and ends up in the fluid, it spreads over the surface. The Metasorb oil absorbent mat is made from light polypropylene that floats well. It efficiently absorbs oil but no water. It is an excellent choice for absorbing oil from metal-working fluids.
For more information about absorbent products, please contact our experts on the forest and metal industries.