For businesses storing large quantities of hazardous materials, managing the risk of spills and leaks is critical. Even in the most careful workplaces, incidents can happen. If liquids such as oil, petrol, solvents, or industrial chemicals escape their containers, they can cause serious harm, disrupt productivity, and lead to environmental damage.
Liquid Storage Requirements
If your workshop produces, stores, or transports hazardous liquid substances, it is essential to:
- Ensure that liquid substances stored or used at your site are managed so that they do not enter the environment (unless permitted by a licence or by approval or agreement from the relevant authority).
- Ensure that any liquid leaving your site is properly transported and delivered to an appropriate receiving site that also contains suitable risk mitigation mechanisms.
(Source: Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Liquid Storage and Handling Guidelines, June 2018)
Bunded pallets are among the most effective and practical solutions to meet these requirements. A “bund” is an impermeable raised boundary used to contain a spill. A “bunded pallet” is a specially manufactured container designed to store smaller liquid storage units. In the event of a spill, the pallet will catch and contain the liquid.
Here are key reasons why your business should invest in bunded pallets:
1. Reduce Spill Cleaning Time
Spills are costly, and every moment spent cleaning up an incident is time lost. Spills impact your operating efficiency and result in product loss. Bunded pallets significantly reduce clean-up time by proactively containing a spill, making it quicker and easier to get back to work.
2. Protect Human Health
Minimising contact between workers and spilled substances is essential, particularly when storing hazardous industrial chemicals like acids or solvents, which may have specific storage requirements dictated by WorkSafe or Australian Standards. If you are storing an acid, a poly bunded pallet, which is acid-resistant, would be the appropriate choice over a metal one, which could corrode. Careful planning is vital to protect workers from exposure to harmful spills.
3. Protect Environmental Health
Toxic materials escaping into the environment can have devastating consequences, including serious damage to waterways, fragile ecosystems, and wildlife. Poorly managed spills can also result in substantial fines and even criminal convictions. These outcomes are preventable with proactive safety measures like bunded pallets.
4. Protect Your Business’s Reputation
In addition to the environmental impact, poorly managing hazardous material storage can severely damage your business’s reputation. Companies responsible for hazardous chemical incidents often face damaging bad publicity. Investing in bunded pallets is an essential part of an effective site management strategy.
Common Questions About Bunded Pallets
- Which size of bunded pallet do I need?
- Which material of bunded pallet do I need?
- How can I get bunded pallets delivered quickly to my site?
We can help you answer these questions and find the right bunded pallet solution for you.
Ovesco supplies a range of SpillPro bunded pallets to help businesses manage risk and ensure safety. Whether you need a bunded pallet for acids, solvents, or other hazardous liquids, we have the right solution for your specific requirements. Explore our selection today to find the ideal bunded pallet for your needs.
