Solidifiers and Zorb Sheets: What you need to know
Spills can happen anywhere at any time and pose a safety risk to employers and their employees. Solidifiers are the first line of defense when protecting against exposure to infectious substances and hazardous materials, like bloodborne pathogens, in the workplace. But what are they?
Solidifiers are substances specifically designed to transform liquids into solid or semi-solid materials, making them easier to handle, transport, and dispose of safely.
They play a crucial role in various industries, like healthcare facilities, laboratories, medical offices, industrial settings, and more, in maintaining a safe and OSHA-compliant workplace.
At Safetec of America, we manufacture a variety of solidifiers, available in multiple configurations ranging from single-use pouches to shaker bottles to absorbent sheets. Each option is designed to meet the needs of various industries, and having the right solidifier on hand can make all the difference in maintaining a safe work environment.
How to do they work?
Solidifiers, whether they’re an absorbent sheet or powdered substance, are used to transform liquids into semi-solid gel-like materials. By transforming them into a more solid material, the liquid is easier to handle and reduces safety risks.
Safetec’s Red Z® and Green-Z® are both powdered solidifiers. Once applied to a spill, they absorb liquids and form into a semi-solid gel material. After it is fully congealed, the gel-like mass can easily be cleaned up, transported, and disposed of safely.
Other non-powdered solidifiers include absorbent sheets like Safetec’s Zorb Sheets. They provide another level of protection to employees during a spill incident or can be used as a preventive measure when working with potentially harmful liquids or during transport. The thin, tissue-based material absorbs liquids with superabsorbent polymers, quickly turning liquids into a gel-like mass.
When to use solidifiers
Solidifiers, like Safetec’s Red Z®, Green-Z® and Zorb Sheets, can be used for a multitude of spills and situations. They are an essential tool in safely managing spills in various environments.
Key situations:
- Healthcare- for solidifying blood and bodily fluids in suction canisters, kick buckets, and more.
- Laboratories- for spills involving chemicals and biological materials or for use under surfaces when working with these types of liquids.
- Industrial settings– for managing chemical, oil, and grease spills.
- Public spaces– for spills in schools, airports, and public buildings.
- Emergency response– spill kits, which include solidifiers and other spill response products, and are crucial in managing emergency or unexpected spills.
- Transporting- spill containment and preventative measures during transit. Zorb Sheets add an extra layer of protection when transporting hazardous liquid materials.
By having various solidifiers readily available, workplaces can effectively manage spills, reduce safety risks, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
How do you use them?
Solidifiers, whether they be sheets, standalone packs or included in a spill kit, are paramount to have on hand in the case of potentially hazardous spills. With simple step-by-step instructions, they are both easy to use and effective in aiding in the cleanup of potentially hazardous materials.
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)- always wear appropriate PPE when handling any spill to protect yourself from exposure.
- Lay down, Shake, or Drop in- use the solidifier best suited for the fluid needing to be solidified. Apply it directly to the liquid and allow enough time for it to congeal.
- Remove Solidified Spill- if using a powdered solidifier, use a scoop and scraper to dispose of the solidified spill in an appropriate container. If using a Zorb Sheet, simply place the entire sheet in an appropriate container once the liquid has been fully absorbed. Always dispose of potentially infectious materials in accordance with all local, state, and federal guidelines.
- Clean and Disinfect- clean and disinfect the contaminated areas after the spill has been disposed of to make sure there are no potentially hazardous materials left behind.
Potentially hazardous spills can occur anywhere at any time. It is crucial to have solidifiers readily available, and knowing how to use them properly can significantly reduce the risk of exposure.
Benefits of using solidifiers
Solidifiers allow you to control and remove potentially hazardous liquid spills that may occur–ensuring a safe and compliant work environment.
There are multiple different types of solidifiers available, allowing you to choose which one is best for a specific spill situation. Our Red Z®, for example, is a powder and contains chlorine, which is commonly used in spill situations where there is exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Compared to Green-Z®, which doesn’t contain chlorine, and is used in situations where chlorine must be avoided, for instance, with certain chemical spills and in the event the waste will need to be incinerated.
Our Zorb Sheets offer another option to quickly solidify without a powder. Zorb Sheets are a tissue-based material that compresses the superabsorbent polymers in between the sheets and works to solidify and transform water-based liquids into a semi-solid (gel) mass.
Using the right type of solidifier can help reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous and potentially infectious materials in various spill situations. Solidifiers transform liquids into solid or semi-solid masses, making spills easier to handle and clean up. This simplified cleanup process reduces safety risks for employees and employers alike while helping maintain standards set forth by OSHA and the CDC.
Safetec of America
For over 30 years, Safetec has been a leading American manufacturer of infection control, first aid, and over-the-counter products. We manufacture all our products, including our spill control items, in Buffalo, N.Y., and distribute them from our nearby distribution center.
Safetec’s flagship product, Red Z®, was originally developed to help keep workers safe while battling the AIDS epidemic and has since evolved into a vital tool in spill control across multiple industries. Over the decades, it has been instrumental in helping workplaces manage spills efficiently and safely.
By incorporating our solidifier products into your spill response plan, you can ensure that your employees and workplace are protected in a spill situation.