If you store drums or tanks that contain liquids on your site, then you should think about spill containment. While you can simply clean up some spills as they happen, this isn't always an ideal solution. If you store chemicals or hazardous substances, then you also have safety issues in play.
Spill pallets give you a simple solution. These pallets are designed to hold drums and tanks. The drum or tank sits on a grid which slots on to the top of the pallet. If the container leaks or has a spill, the liquid goes straight into the pallet's containment area.
Why invest in some spill pallets?
1. Get more effective spill management
If one of your drums or tanks springs a leak or has a spill, then you have to move pretty quickly to clean things up. This is especially important if the liquid could harm people, the environment or your flooring. Even non-hazardous liquids can cause accidents. A liquid or slippery substance becomes a slip hazard as soon as it leaks onto the floor.
However, spotting a leak immediately isn’t always easy. Sometimes, a drum or tank leaks for a while before you notice the spillage. If a container leaks outside of working hours, then nobody is there to see it.
You also won't be able to clean up every spill quickly even if you spot it as it happens. If you're dealing with a hazardous liquid, then someone will have to take time to put on protective gear and fetch a spill kit to clean things up.
If you use a spill pallet, then you can easily spot a spill or leak. A quick regular glance in the containment area shows you if any liquid has escaped.
Pallets also contain spills automatically. These products are made from protective materials, such as polyethylene or steel, that can safely contain liquids. Your spill won't do any harm, and you get more time to sort it out. You'll also find it easier to clean liquid out of a contained space, especially if your pallet has a drainage tap.
2. Reduce spill wastage
If one of your drums or tanks springs a leak, then you lose liquid in the spill. The container will leak until you fix the problem. Your main aim here is the clean-up; you can't save the lost liquid.
If you put your containers on spill pallets, then you reduce this wastage. You collect all the leaked liquid in one place. If feasible, you can then put this liquid back in its container or into a new one so that you can use it when you need to.
3. Move containers more easily
Your storage drums and tanks won't necessarily stay in the same place all the time. You may need to move them on your site. Or, you may need to transport them to another location.
Moving drums can be particularly tricky because of their cylindrical shape. This takes some time and manpower.
If you put a container on a spill pallet, then you can use a standard forklift to lift the pallet and the drum at the same time. This is a faster and safer solution.
4. Get a more flexible storage solution
You can set up a permanent spill containment and storage system; however, this won't work so well if your storage needs change over time. For example, you may only need to store drums or tanks periodically; you may also have times where you don't have any on site. Or, you may need to move containers around your facility when you need easy access to their contents.
Spill pallets aren't just portable—they are also easy to store when you don't need to use them. These pallets are often stackable, and their compact flat design doesn't take up much room.
Bear in mind that the size and contents of your drums and tanks affects your choice of pallet material and capacity. For more advice, and to see our complete range of spill containment products, contact Ace Workwear.