Abingdon Flooring

EMERGENCY CHEMICAL SPILL

Abingdon Flooring Ltd - Crumlin, Newport, NP11

Client's Challenge

Abingdon Flooring required an urgent emergency response following a significant limestone powder spill beneath a silo at their Blaina depot.

The spillage had spread across the dispatch area and blocked dispatch doors, creating immediate operational risks including production disruption, restricted access, airborne dust hazards, slip risks, and potential product loss.

The client required a specialist emergency cleaning contractor capable of rapid mobilisation to contain the spill, recover product where possible, and reinstate safe working and dispatch conditions within a live industrial environment.

Assessment & Planning  

APT ICC responded immediately to the emergency call-out and attended site to assess the extent of the spill, contamination spread, and operational constraints.

The assessment focused on identifying the volume of spilled material, confirming safe containment methods beneath the silo, selecting appropriate recovery equipment to minimise dust generation, and ensuring dispatch access could be restored quickly.

A safe, controlled recovery plan was agreed with site management, prioritising containment first, followed by efficient product recovery and reinstatement of access routes.

    Methodology

    The emergency works were delivered using a controlled, mechanical recovery process:

    1. Rapid mobilisation following emergency call-out.

    2. Containment of the spill area beneath the silo to prevent further spread.

    3. Vacuum recovery of limestone powder using specialist compressed-air vacuum equipment.

    4. Controlled transfer of recovered product to a designated suitable location.

    5. Clearance of blocked dispatch doors and surrounding floor areas.

    6. Final checks to confirm safe conditions and reinstated access.

    This approach allowed product recovery to be maximised while controlling risks to personnel and operations.

    Site Access & Logistics

    Equipment
    • DISAB vacuum truck (compressed air vacuum recovery system)


    Chemicals
    • None
    • Mechanical recovery method used to avoid dust generation and secondary
    contamination

    All products used were APT in-house formulations, selected for effectiveness while remaining
    suitable for historic and sensitive surfaces.  

    The Results
    • Dispatch doors cleared and access fully reinstated
    • Limestone powder recovered and product loss reduced
    • Spill safely contained without escalation
    • Airborne dust and slip risks controlled
    • Downtime minimised within a live operational environment