Product Overview

Summary: This Emergency Response Plan for Coolant Spills provides a clear, step‑by‑step procedure for safely containing, cleaning and reporting coolant releases in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses protect workers, prevent environmental harm and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation when dealing with glycol, oil-based or synthetic coolants.

Coolant is widely used in workshops, manufacturing plants, data centres, food and beverage facilities, transport depots and commercial buildings for engine cooling, HVAC systems and process equipment. When a coolant line ruptures, a drum is punctured or a vehicle leaks coolant, the incident can quickly escalate into a slip hazard, chemical exposure risk, equipment damage or an environmental release if it enters drains or soil. This SOP sets out a structured Emergency Response Plan tailored to coolant spills, providing workers with clear instructions from the moment a spill is discovered through to final clean-up, waste disposal and reporting.

The procedure guides organisations to assess the severity of the spill, initiate alarms, isolate energy sources and evacuate or restrict access where required. It details the correct use of spill kits, compatible absorbents, containment booms and neutralising agents appropriate for different coolant types, while specifying PPE requirements to manage skin and eye contact risks. The SOP also integrates communication protocols, internal and external notification requirements, and environmental protection controls to prevent coolant from entering stormwater systems. By implementing this plan, businesses can minimise incident impacts, reduce downtime, support WHS and environmental compliance, and provide workers with confidence to respond quickly and safely when coolant spills occur.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a rapid, coordinated response to coolant spills that protects workers, contractors and visitors from harm.
• Reduce the likelihood of slips, falls, chemical exposures and plant damage arising from uncontrolled coolant releases.
• Protect the environment by preventing coolant from entering stormwater, waterways and sensitive areas, supporting EPA compliance.
• Standardise spill response procedures across sites, improving training, competency and incident readiness.
• Demonstrate due diligence under WHS and environmental legislation through documented, repeatable emergency response processes.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Plant and Operations Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Workshop Supervisors
• Production Team Leaders
• Fleet and Transport Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Officers
• Emergency Wardens and Floor Wardens
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Slip and trip hazards from spilled coolant on floors and access ways
• Skin and eye irritation or chemical burns from contact with coolant additives
• Inhalation of mist or vapours generated by heated or aerosolised coolant
• Environmental contamination of soil, stormwater and waterways
• Corrosion or damage to plant, electrical equipment and building surfaces
• Fire risk where coolant is flammable or stored near ignition sources
• Manual handling injuries during spill clean-up and waste handling
• Exposure to incompatible chemicals when mixing absorbents or cleaning agents with coolant

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Coolant Used On Site
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Emergency Contacts
• 4.0 Risk Assessment and Spill Severity Classification
• 5.0 Required PPE, Spill Kits and Response Equipment
• 6.0 Initial Response: Discovery, Alarm and Area Isolation
• 7.0 Containment Procedures for Minor Coolant Spills
• 8.0 Containment Procedures for Major or Uncontrolled Coolant Spills
• 9.0 Clean-up, Decontamination and Waste Disposal Requirements
• 10.0 Environmental Protection Measures and Drain Protection
• 11.0 Communication, Notification and Escalation Protocols
• 12.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 13.0 Training, Drills and Competency Requirements
• 14.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Location of Spill Response Equipment
• 15.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia - Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia - Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (where applicable to coolant type)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• Environment Protection Acts and Regulations applicable in each state and territory (e.g. NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997)
• Local water authority trade waste and stormwater discharge requirements