Spilling the truth on berms and pallets

Spill berms and spill pallets are essential tools for safely handling and containing hazardous liquids. KEVIN MURPHY, MD of the environmental, health, and safety products provider Spill Doctor, sheds some light on these products.

Using spill berms and spill pallets when working with hazardous liquids has many benefits. Firstly, it helps to prevent spills from spreading and causing damage to the environment, which is an important consideration when working with hazardous materials.

Additionally, spill berms and spill pallets reduce the amount of time and resources required to clean up a spill. Most importantly, they protect workers and the surrounding area from the potential dangers of hazardous liquids. But what is the difference between them?

Spill berms

Spill berms are used for areas which require a larger volume of storage. They are made from durable materials such as heavy-duty PVC or polyurethane and can be quickly and easily set up. This helps to contain spills and prevent them from spreading, reducing the risk of environmental damage and making clean-up easier.

Another benefit of spill berms is their portability, as they can be moved by hand. This makes them ideal for use in outdoor areas and on most surfaces, thereby preventing spills from reaching nearby waterways or other sensitive areas.

Spill berms also have the benefit of collapsible walls, allowing vehicles and heavy plant machinery to drive over them when flat, before erecting the side walls to contain the area around the vehicle. This makes them ideal to use around concrete mixers, when servicing/refuelling heavy plant machinery, or around compressor and generator spills, as well as around water overflow areas.

Spill pallets

Spill pallets, on the other hand, are designed to be used as a base for containers of hazardous liquids. They are made of 100% polyethylene and are designed to contain spills and leaks from drums and/or intermediate bulk container (IBC) flow bins.

Spill pallets are also a great option for indoor use, as they are designed to be placed on a solid surface such as a concrete floor. Other benefits include compliance with bund regulations, removable grids, and fork pockets for easy movement.

Which should you use?

Your choice of spill berm or spill pallet depends on the specific circumstances of your storage and handling of hazardous liquids. Both spill berms and spill pallets are designed to contain spills and leaks and prevent them from spreading, but they are used in different ways.

Spill berms are typically used when hazardous liquids are being stored or handled in an outdoor area, such as a construction site or a facility that stores large quantities of hazardous liquids. This helps to contain the spill and prevent it from spreading, reducing the risk of environmental damage and making clean-up easier.

Spill pallets, on the other hand, are typically used when hazardous liquids are being stored or handled indoors, such as in a warehouse or manufacturing facility. They are placed under containers of hazardous liquids, such as drums or totes, to catch any spills or leaks that may occur.

In general, both spill berms and spill pallets are useful tools to have on hand when working with hazardous liquids. Regardless of your operation, both spill berms and spill pallets are crucial in ensuring the safe handling and containment of hazardous liquids. They assist in containing spills and preventing them from causing harm to the environment, as well as making the clean-up process more manageable. Additionally, they provide protection for workers and the surrounding area from the potential harm caused by hazardous liquids.

It is strongly advised that any company handling hazardous materials invests in these beneficial products.