Quality Spill Bunds and Sump Pallets: Utilise and Store Liquid Chemicals with Ease - Share A Word

From slick surfaces to toxic exposure, spills are responsible for more workplace accidents in Australia than almost any other cause currently monitored by Safe Work Australia. Leaks and spills from containers and drums are a persistent source of slips, trips and falls in industrial environments. And accidental releases of flammable, corrosive or toxic liquids can have catastrophic consequences, with the destruction of property and loss of life being very real possibilities.

Spill containers help ensure unintentionally released liquids don’t evolve into injurious, or potentially life-threatening conditions. They’re designed specifically for industrial-grade liquid containment, making them one of the most important steps a business can take toward eliminating workplace accidents.

Trust Bunds and Sump Pallets to Reduce Workplace Spill Risks

Let’s be honest: any business that works with hazardous Class 3, 5, 6 or 8 liquids knows the danger of failing to use and handle them correctly. The same diligence also applies to how well they’re protected when not in use, to include the use of high quality spill bunds and sump pallets for safe, on-site liquid storage.

Australian Standards AS1940, AS4326 and AS3780 are very specific about the need for businesses that work with hazardous liquids to ensure they’re properly secured and isolated in case of leaks or spillage, and corrosion-resistant polyethylene and galvanised steel frame bunds are designed specifically for:

• Workplace and employee safety. Not only do bunds and sump pallets provide 110% containment capacity against leaks and spills that could cause slips and trips, they also significantly reduce the risk of spilled flammable or toxic liquids from spreading dangerously throughout an entire plant.
• Instant environmental protection. Bunds and sump pallets do more than protect workplaces from spills. They also provide instant environmental protection by preventing potentially hazardous chemicals and liquids from leaking into the ground and contaminating the soil or water.
• Chemical recovery and reclamation. From distillates and cleaning chemicals, to disinfectants and solvent solutions, Australian businesses spend staggering sums on procuring bulk-quantity process chemicals. Bunds and sump pallets, however, can be instrumental in helping recover spilled liquids that haven’t been contaminated, and can be economically reused inside the plant.

With their ability to accommodate a wide range of drum, IBC, and bulk storage tanks used for either indoor or outdoor chemical storage, spill containment bunds are more than just safeguards against workplace incidents and accidents. They’re mandatory safety compliance items that businesses can use to keep a significant segment of their operating expenses down.

Choosing the Right Type of Bund or Sump For the Job

Although there’s no shortage of businesses that are capable of designing and installing their own custom spill and secondary containment systems, the convenience and scalability of portable, pre-made bunded storage trays and pallets is unbeatable. They offer rugged, all-weather durability, unlimited setup possibilities and are manufactured in two variants: corrosion-resistant polyethylene and rust-resistant galvanised steel.

Heavy duty, impact resistant polyethylene spill bunds made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are the AS-compliant standard for businesses that regularly work with hazardous chemicals and liquids, and offer a bevy of benefits that include:

• Superior chemical and corrosion resistance. Polyethylene’s tight, highly inert hydrocarbon structure makes it exceptional at resisting all types of moisture absorption, including ones that could cause corrosive chemical reactions.
• Lightweight flexibility. With an average weight of only 30-35kg in their heaviest configurations, polyethylene spill bunds are light enough and flexible enough to be rapidly positioned or repositioned to meet a business’s changing storage needs.
• Heavyweight versatility. Polyethylene bunds are moulded for storage capacities up to 2000kg, allowing them to see versatile service with a wide array of drum, tote and IBC storage arrangements and contingencies without the risk of cracking or breaking.

UV stabilisation also gives polyethylene spill bunds an added advantage in inclement weather. It’s an advantage that places them solidly in the same class as rust-resistant galvanised steel bunds which, along with their all-weather reliability, possess their own core of durable features that include:

• Unmatched strength and rigidity. The superior strength of steel bunds allows them to effortlessly support capacities to 2500kg with minimal risk of damage due to rough handling or unintended impacts.
• Premium fire and corrosion resistance. Not only are galvanised steel bunds inherently fire resistant, their zinc coating also provides a naturally corrosion-resistant barrier against leaked or spilled distillates and acids.
• Optimal stability for transportation. While the light weight of polyethylene spill bunds makes them the perfect choice for mobile setups, the superior strength of galvanised steel bunds makes it possible for them to be safely forklifted inside plant premises without removing the liquid container.

Although there are considerable differences between polyethylene and galvanised bund coatings and applications, both still excel at protecting employees, business premises, and the environment from the consequences of unintended leaks and spills. It’s important, therefore, for business process managers and safety officers to know precisely which types of spill bunds or sump pallets are needed to ensure their storage procedures are AS-complaint, and that there’s adequate separation between toxic and incompatible liquids.

Bunds and Sump Pallets Help Keep Critical Chemical Distances

Make no mistake: while the first job of spill bunds and sump pallets is preventing the unwanted release of chemicals and liquids from becoming full-blown hazards, they’re also crucial for limiting the possibility of materials becoming commingled. Not only does storing incompatible chemicals and liquids together raise the prospect of cross-contamination, it also exponentially increases the risk of a violent chemical reaction or explosion. This is where the selection and placement of spillage bunds becomes essential for:

• Maintaining AS-compliant distances of physical separation between incompatible chemicals and liquids;
• Eliminating the potential for unforeseen commingling that could result in substance contamination; and,
• Promoting better material accountability of hazardous, and high-value liquid chemicals.

Whether it’s preventing on-the-spot tripping leaks or averting potentially explosive intermixing after a leak, spill bunds and sump pallets are the keys to safe, AS-complaint liquid chemical storage anyplace where they’re used.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, businesses that work with liquid chemicals understand the risks involved with utilising and storing them. They know even small leaks and spills can have devastating consequences, which is why having the plant equipment to eliminate the risks are so important.

High quality spill bunds and sump pallets are the key to safe, on-site liquid storage. They’re the smart solution for safety, compliance and material cost management.