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PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

secondary Containment &
spill prevention

Whether we like it or not, hazardous substances underpin countless industrial processes, from concentrated acids and flammable liquids to biological substances and radioactive materials. Manufacturing and processing facilities that rely on these hazardous chemicals as well as the equipment and infrastructure responsible for their storage and transport must take every precaution to prevent dangerous accidents and protect worker and environmental health and safety. While safety begins with the robust design and construction of primary containment systems that are routinely in direct contact with hazardous materials, without secondary containment, any unexpected spills or leaks risk harming on-site personnel as well as local environments and ecosystems. Secondary containment uses a variety of systems, devices, or other control measures to prevent the unintended release of hazardous substances, and are required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. This makes secondary containment not only a responsible solution, but one that is required for compliant operations and continued business.

what is
secondary containment?

Secondary containment refers to the actions and tools used to prevent leaks and spills in case of failure by primary containment, which is the basic infrastructure that is in direct contact with hazardous substances during regular operations. This can include tanks, pipes, drums, or other equipment that are used to store or transport hazardous chemicals, which depend on the substance in question and the specific operating environment. And like the selection of primary containment, secondary containment systems are chosen to best suit the needs of different hazardous chemicals and the nature of the environments in which they’re employed. Secondary containment can include containment pallets, drum trays, spill barriers, or any other means of effectively containing dangerous liquids that protect worker and environmental safety. These protective strategies are mandated by regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), reflecting the importance of these reliable protective solutions.