If your workplace carries any type of hazardous chemical, you have a legal obligation to contain any chemical spills and leaks that may occur. One way to contain these spills and leaks is with bunds. Bunding is a secondary containment procedure that helps businesses contain spills in a safe and easily maintained and clean manner.
But how do you know if you need bunding or not? Outside of hiring an expert team to come in and do a risk assessment, there are some things you can do to determine if you need bunding.
Step 1. Understand The Risk Levels
Before you decide on purchasing bunding or any other secondary containment, it’s vital to understand the level of risk in your workplace caused by the chemicals you carry. This is something you do to understand if you need bunding at all, as bunding is only required when a chemical will be a hazard to workers or the environment.
Step 2. Assess Handling & Storage Spaces
The amount of bunding you need depends on your workplace and the way to do this is by looking at where the hazardous materials are stored, used and transported. Depending on the quantities of the materials and the type of spaces these materials are kept, you may need differing bunding solutions.
Step 3. Consider Possible Bunding Solutions
Now that you know the level of risk and understand how your chemicals are handled and stored, it’s time to consider the bunding options you have at your disposal.
Some of these solutions include the following:
Bunded pallets (bunded trays)
The most typical kind of bund is a bunded pallet, also known as a bunded tray. It is a container with a grated lid that can be easily removed for chemical or cleaning removal. The tank containing the hazard will be put on top of the palette and if a spill occurs it spills into the container below. It is easy to assemble, easy to clean and widely used in Australia.
Floor Bunding
Flexible floor bunds are designed for use in places where bunding is frequently exposed to foot and vehicle traffic. They are entirely solid and have moulded edges fabricated sufficiently able to keep up with their shape for a long time, even with high vehicle traffic and essentially act like a giant barrier to stop spills from leaking.
Collapsible Bunds (Portable bunding)
Portable bunding is made to be used for a short time and can be moved easily to another location if necessary. This portable bunding is made to be used in one area and then moved to where you need it quickly.
Step 4. Minimise Spill Risks
The best prevention for spills is to minimise the overall risk of a spill itself. To do this you should do the following.
- Check if chemical containers have damage that can cause them to leak.
- Regularly check machinery for possible spills.
- Clear spill sumps in chemical cabinets and outdoor storage areas quickly and safely.
- Keep only the lowest possible quantities of hazardous substances on site.
- Implement good safety overall to reduce risk in general.
Do You Need Bunding?
Even if you undertake these steps, you may still find that you need further help to see if you really need bunding. If you need guidance, https://www.spillstation.com.au/ can help.
Not only do they offer the bunding solutions you may need, but they also offer on-site workplace audits to help you understand if you need bunding and where.
So contact them today and get the bundling solutions you need.
