Airports - Safety Gear and Supplies
Safety Apparel, Safety Gloves and Spill Kits for Cleanup
Day in and day out, airports have the most moving parts of any industry. They do not close for holidays or weekends and there is always business and work to be done. Between refueling plans, aircraft work between flights and general facility maintenance airports are constantly in motion. Because of these moving parts, airports are at the biggest risk for oil and gasoline spills on runways and ramps. Because airports work outside without barriers, oil and gasoline spills need to be contained quickly.
Airport spill kits are a crucial point on a spill response checklist. When airplanes are refueled between trips, all fueling transportation trucks should have a vehicle spill kit on hand. These are smaller spill kits specifically made to fit underneath or behind the seat of a truck. They are great at containing little leaks, spills or drops of both oil and gasoline. Oil Only Trucker Spill kits will contain approximately 8-gallons of oil or gasoline. However, if a larger spill were to occur, there should be spill kits available that can handle more liquid.
Our Oil Only Spill kits range in size and will absorb from 20-gallons of oil up to 95-gallons of oil. Spill kits are available in 20-gallon spill kits, 30-gallon spill kits, 55-gallon spill kits, 65-gallon spill kits, 95-gallon spill kits and in mobile spill kits with wheels. All spill kits have a mix of absorbent pads, absorbent socks, absorbent pillows, disposable bags, goggles, gloves and an emergency response guidebook. Our spill kits come in a hard plastic container that, when closed, will ensure the product inside stays dry. After the spill, the used absorbent pads, socks and pillows can be put into the containers and discarded according to your local regulations. Additionally, if you are just looking to refill your spill kits and already have the containers, refill spill kits are a great tool to have on hand and are a lot more cost effective.
Containing the spill in a quick and efficient manner is very important, but so is keeping airport employees safe while doing it. Making sure airport employees have the right PPE (personal protective equipment) nearby will ensure that your employees are ready to handle any situation. One item that is necessary for all spill clean ups are coveralls. Coveralls are disposable garments that are meant to be worn over clothes to protect oil and gasoline from coming in contact with the skin. Coveralls are all 1 piece and can be put on very quickly by just stepping into them and zipping them up. Coveralls are made of an impervious material that does not allow liquids to enter.
If there is a spill of oil or gasoline at an airport, you will need to quickly put on your coverall suit, find the closest spill kit and then also put on the correct gloves that will prevent oil, gasoline or other fluids from reaching the hands. PVC Gloves are one of the strong materials that will stand up to these liquids. PVC gloves are comfortable and come in a variety of options. PVC gloves come in a variety of lengths, which means the distance between the tip of the middle finger down to the forearm. PVC Gloves are available in 10” lengths, 12” lengths, 14” lengths and 18” lengths. All of these options have an open wrist and are quick to slip on. The fumes from a spill can also be a lot to handle, so we recommend a basic dust mask to have on hand.
The visibility of your employees plays a crucial role in their safety, especially at the airport gate and tarmac. A lot of times these runways and gates are dark, so wearing reflective and hi-visibility materials goes a long way in making sure employees are seen. In warmer months, hi-visibility t-shirts are great to wear. These shirts are made from a Birdseye mesh material that will wick sweat away and keep employees cool. Plus, they have a black bottom which helps to hide dirt and grime. Another option versus hi-visibility t-shirts are safety vests. With so many moving parts at the airport, we recommend only wearing breakaway safety vests. These vests are built with Velcro at strategic points so if the vest were to get snagged or caught on anything, it will breakaway and not injure the employee. Airports don’t close down at the first sign of rain, so either does the work. A great hi-visibility rain jacket (like our S598RJH or S598SJH) will keep you dry as well as seen, as both are Class 3.
Lifting bags that can weigh over 50-lbs is a difficult task, getting luggage and baggage handlers the right gloves can go a long way in making their job easier. Because all luggage and bags have different straps and hooks on them for moving, having a glove that provides excellent grip is a must have. Gloves that can be used for multiple jobs, such as driving carts, lifting luggage and moving around machinery, are great tools. Also, let’s not forget about protection for the back of the hand as well as the palm. Here are some gloves that make the cut as the best in the business:
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| SGSSFT2904 | SG950 |
Now, when the temperatures get really cold and it starts to snow, gloves that provide great gripping strength and keep your hands warm must is a must. If you are concerned about snow getting into the gloves, the SG983 and SG981 are perfect winter gloves. Not only do these gloves protect up your arm, they also have an elastic cuff. This cuff will make sure nothing gets into the glove while working. Finally, our Ninja lined of winter work gloves – specifically the SGSSN9695 and SGSSN9690FC – have a coating all around the glove. This coating makes sure nothing gets into the glove, such as rain, sleet or snow.