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Absorb and contain spills with absorbent socks and booms. Available in three variations, this type of spill control can be tethered together or folded as required. We stock a wide array of absorbent socks and booms from reputable brands, like Ecospill® and our exclusive brand, Solent®. For further information on Spill Control products, find more in our Spill Control Expert Guide.

What are absorbent socks and booms?

Absorbent socks and booms are spill containment products designed to effectively control and manage liquid spills in various industrial, commercial, and environmental settings.

They are flexible tubes or cylinders filled with absorbent material, typically encased in a durable outer sleeve or netting.

These socks and booms absorb potentially hazardous liquids and prevent the contamination of waterways and other bodies of water to help protect the environment from pollution.

Why absorbent socks and booms?

Any business whose operations include pollution risks are obligated to have emergency spill kits on site. Spillages in the workplace pose a risk, not only to staff but also to the surrounding environment, including aquatic life.

Absorbent socks and booms are quick and easy to apply. They're versatile and can be tethered together to catch and contain leaks before they make contact with surfaces. Extremely durable and mostly low-linting, they're an ideal choice for production and distribution settings to tackle small to medium-sized spillages.

The DEFRA Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001 and the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guideline 26 (section 7: Dealing with Spillages) lays out guidance and legislation for dealing with emergency spills as part of business safety management systems. This includes the use of containment and absorption to prevent spills from spreading to other areas.

When are absorbent socks and booms used?

Fast moving spills that risk polluting waterways should be contained using absorbent booms alongside absorbent cushions and pads to ensure all the liquid is retained. Absorbent granules can be used after the main bulk of the spill has been tidied up to ensure complete recovery of the liquid.

Types of absorbent socks and booms

There are three types of absorbent socks and booms to suit different spillage requirements.

Chemical absorbents are yellow in colour and intended for the clean-up of chemical spills. They're extremely durable and can easily tackle aggressive chemicals, including acids and caustic liquids. They're a versatile absorbent and can also be used on water-based liquids and oil spills if necessary.

For oils including fuels, solvents and all derivatives of hydrocarbons, oil-only socks and booms are manufactured from hydrophobic materials. This allows them to be used both on land and in the water to absorb oils (both vegetable and mineral).

Maintenance socks and booms absorb both oil and water-based liquids, including everyday kitchen spills, coolants and cleaning chemicals. They are made from hydrophilic materials, which have excellent retention properties, and are often used on tabletops when working with oily parts as a spill preventative.

Considerations when choosing absorbent socks and booms

• Absorbency capacity - Select socks and booms with a high absorbency capacity relative to the type and volume of liquids you expect to encounter. Higher absorbency allows for quicker containment and cleanup of spills.

• Compatibility - Ensure that the absorbent socks and booms are compatible with the types of liquids you are likely to encounter. Different absorbents may be better suited for specific types of spills, such as oils, chemicals, or water-based fluids.

• Environmental impact - Consider the environmental impact of the absorbent material, particularly if spills may occur in sensitive ecosystems or waterways. Choose environmentally friendly options that minimise ecological harm.

• Safety features - Look for socks and booms with safety features, such as fire-retardant properties, to enhance worker safety during spill cleanup operations.

Absorbent socks and booms jargon buster

We want to make it easy for you, so here are some key terms that will help you understand the range and applications a little better.

What does the safety standard BS 7959 mean?

BS 7959 is not as complicated to understand as it first appears and is relevant to the absorbent materials used for the control of liquid spillages.

Let's break it down...

• BS - This is the acronym for British Standards.

• 7959 - This is the assigned legislation number.

• 1 - This refers to the part of the written legislation relevant to the product, in this case, the sorbency (strength of absorption) of the materials (sorbents) used to control liquid spillages

• 2 - the determination of water repellence or buoyancy of hydrophobic (oil-only) absorbents

FAQs

How do you dispose of absorbent socks and booms?

Used absorbent socks and booms must be disposed of in accordance with the absorbed liquid destruction regulation.

What does sorbent mean?

A sorbent is any ingredient used to absorb or adsorb a spillage.

What's the difference between absorb and adsorb?

To absorb is where one material soaks up another to combine. To adsorb is where one material sticks to the surface of another material, with both materials remaining separate.

How do absorbent socks and booms work?

When placed onto a spillage, the bonded layers of sorbent absorb the liquid and retain it to the sock or boom's capacity. The bonding process makes the socks and booms extremely durable, so they don't rip when wet and make for easy clean up.