What is Secondary Containment?

Secondary containment refers to equipment, systems, or measures used to prevent hazardous spills from spreading into the environment. As the name suggests, secondary containment is a second line of defense supporting the primary container. Industries that store hazardous, toxic, flammable, reactive, combustible, or corrosive materials are required to implement secondary containment. 

Both OSHA and the EPA have regulations for secondary containment, yet they focus on function over method. Secondary spill containment can be traditional, like ditching, or use new containment technology, like spill decks and berms. Explore products engineered for safety and learn how they can reinforce your secondary containment efforts!

Secondary containment keeps a primary container’s spill within a specified area and prevents its spread. 

A primary container is a drum, IBC tote, or other vessel. Even containers designed for hazardous materials can experience leaks. This can put workers, soil, and waterways at risk. Secondary spill containment acts as a backup plan, intended to contain the leak. 

The best containment supplies for your needs will depend on the products stored, the storage space, and the industry. Facilities can utilize ready-to-use marketplace products, custom-designed equipment, or built-in solutions such as ditches, slopes, and cement berms.

The Cary Company boasts a wide selection of secondary spill containment products!

Overpack drums can be used to store and transport containers at risk of leaking. Drum containment units have a comparable look and function. The outer drum or unit collects the hazardous leak.

Spill containment berms are pool-like contraptions which rest underneath a primary container. They can be designed for specific uses, like railroads and agriculture. They can also have special wall features, such as rapid rise. Collapsible wall types make loading and off-loading effortless.

Custom berms allow users to surround heavy or bolted equipment, customizing the size of their containment area. These berms are sealed to the floor and kept together with adhesive.

Spill containment pallets provide a raised, hollow base designed for collecting leaking liquids. Certain models include drains.

Drum rack containment systems include a spill pallet base to catch any leaks that may occur during dispensing or product transfer.

Rack containment sumps keep spills off the floor with their rackable design, great for vertical storage. The sump is designed to hold spills and support a standard pallet.

Ultra containment sumps are excellent basins for tanks containing fuel, oils and other liquids. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor uses.

Drums and IBC hard tops are popular for outdoor storage. They consist of a bottom sump for collecting leaks and a top locking portion, preventing unwanted access.

Note that containers can be grouped under one secondary containment system. For example, one hard top can act as a secondary containment system for two drums.

There are several benefits to secondary containment, the most important of which are workplace and environment safety. However, there are many cost-cutting benefits as well!

• Workplace Safety - Secondary containment keeps workers protected from encountering unexpected leaks or spills and making dangerous contact with hazardous substances.
• Environment Safety - The containment system keeps spills away from drains and sewers so hazardous liquids don’t pollute waterways. Similarly, they protect soil contamination.
• Asset Protection - By containing hazardous spills, secondary spill containment helps prevent damage to the property, nearby products, equipment, and other assets.
• Reduced Costs - Proper secondary containment can reduce disposal and maintenance costs by creating controlled situations surrounding spills. Less asset damage also reduces the costs of replacement and repair.
• Reduced Liability Risk - By following safety rules and avoiding workplace hazards, facilities may raise their property resale value or lower insurance premiums. Valuing safety also builds trust both as a business and an employer.

Both secondary and spill containment prevent spills from spreading. However, secondary containment also acts as a “Plan B” for containers storing hazardous substances. This means that, in addition to stopping the leak or spill, a secondary containment plan must contain a certain volume of the spilled liquid.

Regulations for secondary containment protect the environment as well as people in the workplace. In the United States, OSHA and the EPA lay the groundwork for these rules, but it is also important to follow local and industry-specific requirements. 

OSHA requires employers to implement a containment program in the presence of hazardous substances. The organization says that containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or more of flammable and toxic liquids must be surrounded with containment equipment capable of containing at least 35% total liquid volume.

EPA code 40 CFR 264.175 states that a containment system must be able to support 10% of the total volume or 100% of the largest container’s volume, whichever is greater. Engineers in the industry note that a standard secondary containment plan supports 110% of the container’s capacity. 

If the secondary containment system is outdoors, these numbers should also account for precipitation. Similarly, if the floor is sloped, berms should account for the slope.

Industries storing hazardous, toxic, flammable, reactive, combustible, or corrosive materials need secondary containment. While “hazardous materials” may have a broad definition, it’s best to assume that any substance with an SDS sheet should also have secondary spill containment.

Oil & Petroleum

Industries that drill, transport, or store oil and gasoline should implement secondary containment. EPA-required Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans require onshore facilities with bulk tanks to provide secondary containment.

Hazardous Chemicals

In addition to utilizing HazMat packaging and equipment, chemical manufacturing industries should utilize secondary containment for acids, bases, solvents, hazardous waste, and other high-risk substances. Spill containment trays are also excellent for lab settings.

Farm & Agriculture

Agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides require secondary containment to maintain a safe environment for crops, livestock, and alike. Our agricultural berms are designed with raised walls to meet a 750 gallon containment requirement.

Railcar & Railroad

Railroad track berms help prevent railroad property damage caused by leaking locomotives or loading area spills. They can contain up to 144 gallons.

Other relevant industries include but are not limited to transportation, electrical power, military and government, construction, as well as wastewater and utilities.

At The Cary Company, we pride ourselves on providing the market’s best solutions for secondary containment, spill prevention, and spill cleanup. Our containment products boast features designed to make loading and off-loading as easy and safe as possible.

Looking to find the right spill containment solution for your needs? To speak with knowledgeable product experts, contact us at 630.629.6600!