How do you choose a spill containment tray? A complete guide to spill pallets for drums and IBCs. When should you choose steel versus plastic (PE)? Find out if inspections are mandatory and how to calculate the required capacity.

A guide to spill containment trays, pallets and drip trays

A spill containment tray (often used as a drip tray or drip pallet) is a key piece of infrastructure in many facilities. Although it is often seen as just a stand for a drum or an IBC container, it is the first barrier protecting water and soil from contamination. Its job is to catch any leaks, preventing chemical substances from reaching the environment.

Storing hazardous substances properly, however, takes know-how. Are spill trays only there to stand in a corner? Can a sorbent replace a drip tray? And finally – do plastic and steel spill trays require mandatory inspections?

Is a drip tray subject to inspection?

Employers have a duty to provide their workers with a safe system of work. Under EU workplace-safety law – the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC and the Chemical Agents Directive 98/24/EC – the employer must assess the risks posed by hazardous substances and take the preventive measures needed to protect health and safety. A spill containment tray is one such protective device, and it should be kept in good technical condition and inspected regularly.

To store substances safely and protect the workplace, the tray must not be damaged. Corrosion in steel, cracks in plastic, or a cut in technical fabric disqualify the equipment from use. A leak of a substance through a leaking container or a damaged grating can pose a threat to the environment and to human health.

Trays for 1, 2 or 4 drums or 2 IBCs – storage and choosing by container

Spill tray for 1 drum

Must hold at least the volume of the largest container stored (the exact minimum is set by national rules)

Spill tray for 2 drums

Ideal for smaller warehouses

Spill tray for 4 drums

An industrial standard, often handled with a forklift.

Spill tray for an IBC container

Dedicated containment pallets for 1 or 2 IBCs are used here

Remember: a commonly applied rule is to provide the greater of 110% of the volume of the largest stored container or 25% of the total volume of stored flammable liquids. The exact figure is set by national law, so verify it for your country.

Steel or plastic? Polyethylene, grating, low-profile version and plastic fittings

Steel spill trays: Resistant to solvents and oils. A steel tray is essential for flammable liquids (earthing). Watch out for corrosion.
Plastic (polyethylene) spill trays: Polyethylene (PE) is resistant to aggressive liquids such as acids and alkalis. The plastic material does not corrode.
Low-profile spill tray: Often comes as a low-profile version with a grating. It makes forklift access and drum storage easier, but has less capacity than the high-profile version.
Flexible trays: Made of technical fabrics (PVC, EVA), they are a full-fledged replacement for rigid trays. Welded construction guarantees leak-tightness, and the ability to fold them makes transport easier and saves space, while retaining full protective performance.
Spill tray without a grating: Used where the container stands directly on the base (e.g. small laboratory containers).

Load capacity also matters – the grating must withstand the weight of full drums or IBC containers.

How to contain a leak?

To effectively protect a facility from the consequences of an accident, a drip tray alone is sometimes not enough. Workers should be provided with full equipment:

Sorbent

For quickly soaking up spills from the grating or floor

Mobile spill trays

Let you safely transport a damaged container or a single drum

Containment pallets

A permanent place for storing hazardous substances

Bad practices, such as liquids left standing in the tray (so-called “pools”), reduce its capacity. Water and contaminants should be removed regularly so the tray is ready to handle chemicals in the event of an accident.

Are inspections of spill trays necessary? Law and safety

The answer is yes. Although the rules are spread across several acts, EU workplace-safety law (Framework Directive 89/391/EEC) places an absolute duty on the employer to ensure safe working conditions, which includes maintaining the technical condition of protective equipment. A spill containment tray is treated as an installation serving environmental protection, and national rules typically require it to be inspected regularly – often at least once a year.

Ignoring this requirement risks damage to the drip tray going unnoticed. In that case, the substance will reach water and soil, exposing the company to heavy administrative penalties. Regular checks are therefore essential to genuinely protect the workplace and the environment.

Summary

A correctly chosen spill containment tray – whether a low-profile tray for 2 drums or a large tray for 2 IBCs – guarantees the safety of workers and the environment. It should be made of high-quality materials (polyethylene or steel) and matched to the type of substance. Remember that these substances reaching the ground can be avoided by using compliant solutions.

Want to store oils or acids safely? Looking for the right spill containment tray?

Sources:
1. Council Directive 89/391/EEC on measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OSH Framework Directive).
2. Council Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of workers from risks related to chemical agents at work.
3. Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive) and Directive 2006/118/EC (Groundwater Directive).
Note: specific containment-capacity figures and inspection intervals are set by national law.