Some of the massive chemical spills written about in the newspapers started out as leaks from containers such as drums or barrels and even tanks. The vast majority of them did not need to happen and it is the job of every chemical manager to try and see it does not. The inclusion of something as simple as spill containment pallets into the system would have avoided some of these spills.
Studying what must be done for chemical safety, these managers must get back to basics. They will know that chemicals are delivered in many different packages. These will come contained in metal drums and barrels. The containers are subject to rust and corrosion. Just a small area of this will help to cause a thinning of the container wall. A hit by something sharp can puncture this space and cause a leak.
The newer plastic or polyvinyl drums will not be affected by rust, however, the walls are not as thick as it sometimes should be. They can be hit by something sharp and the wall can be split. Both of these types of containers can leak for quite a while based on where they have been placed and, exactly, how often they are looked at or used.
When a leak happens and continues down onto the floor or other surface, a spill is happening. The EPA has very specific rules and regulations about how these are to be handled. It involves a costly procedure that has the effect of shutting down production and idling employees for a while.
The better way to deal with all of the many chemicals on site is to make sure spill containment pallets are included in the material handling stream. These very effective units will help to protect the containers and provide a place into which they can leak if necessary. They are the safest way to store, transport, dispense and from which to recover.
These containment pallets are made from a polyethylene material which is not reactive to most of the chemicals being used. They are non toxic, as well and have grating in the top to allow the chemical to leak into the bottom portion. It is this reservoir that makes these units so helpful and safe. That is what makes them look the way they do.
As a leak gets to the point of actually becoming a spill, without one of these special pallets involved, a lot of things have to happen fairly fast. These are all prescribed by EPA regulations. The production line is shut down and all personnel will be moved out. With the containment pallets, the involved pallet is simply moved out of the area. Without a spill pallet, the process of reporting, barriers, cleaned up, testing and verification must be undergone. With the system in place, the leaking drums are removed, drained, cleaned and the chemical is sent back in another container. The pallet is cleaned, checked and sent back into the system as well.
The choice between the two scenarios is up to the management. The spill containment pallets are available and ready to be put into service. The protection of the drums and your employees, not necessarily in that order, should be job number one.
Studying what must be done for chemical safety, these managers must get back to basics. They will know that chemicals are delivered in many different packages. These will come contained in metal drums and barrels. The containers are subject to rust and corrosion. Just a small area of this will help to cause a thinning of the container wall. A hit by something sharp can puncture this space and cause a leak.
The newer plastic or polyvinyl drums will not be affected by rust, however, the walls are not as thick as it sometimes should be. They can be hit by something sharp and the wall can be split. Both of these types of containers can leak for quite a while based on where they have been placed and, exactly, how often they are looked at or used.
When a leak happens and continues down onto the floor or other surface, a spill is happening. The EPA has very specific rules and regulations about how these are to be handled. It involves a costly procedure that has the effect of shutting down production and idling employees for a while.
The better way to deal with all of the many chemicals on site is to make sure spill containment pallets are included in the material handling stream. These very effective units will help to protect the containers and provide a place into which they can leak if necessary. They are the safest way to store, transport, dispense and from which to recover.
These containment pallets are made from a polyethylene material which is not reactive to most of the chemicals being used. They are non toxic, as well and have grating in the top to allow the chemical to leak into the bottom portion. It is this reservoir that makes these units so helpful and safe. That is what makes them look the way they do.
As a leak gets to the point of actually becoming a spill, without one of these special pallets involved, a lot of things have to happen fairly fast. These are all prescribed by EPA regulations. The production line is shut down and all personnel will be moved out. With the containment pallets, the involved pallet is simply moved out of the area. Without a spill pallet, the process of reporting, barriers, cleaned up, testing and verification must be undergone. With the system in place, the leaking drums are removed, drained, cleaned and the chemical is sent back in another container. The pallet is cleaned, checked and sent back into the system as well.
The choice between the two scenarios is up to the management. The spill containment pallets are available and ready to be put into service. The protection of the drums and your employees, not necessarily in that order, should be job number one.
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