Spills are going to happen. No matter how careful your team is, liquids leak, containers tip, and accidents occur. The question is not whether you will have a spill, but whether you are prepared for it. A drip tray is one of the simplest and most effective tools for containing spills before they become major problems. But not all drip trays are the same, and choosing the wrong one can leave you exposed to environmental fines, workplace injuries, and costly cleanup operations.
What Is a Drip Tray and Why Do You Need One
The Purpose of Spill Containment
A drip tray sits underneath equipment, drums, or containers to catch any liquid that leaks or spills. The idea is simple. Instead of the liquid spreading across your floor or a concrete floor absorbing it or even running into drains, it collects in the tray where it can be safely removed and disposed of.
This matters for several reasons. First, many industrial liquids are hazardous. Oils, chemicals, and solvents can cause injuries if workers slip on them or come into contact with them. Second, these substances can damage your facility. Oil on concrete will stain permanently and can degrade the surface over time. Third, and perhaps most importantly, allowing hazardous liquids to enter the drainage system or seep into the ground is an environmental offence that carries serious impacts and penalties.
Industries That Rely on Drip Trays
Drip trays are used across a wide range of industries. Manufacturing plants use them under machinery that relies on hydraulic fluid or lubricants. Automotive workshops place them under vehicles during servicing. Warehouses use them in chemical storage areas. Mining operations use them at fueling stations and maintenance bays. Laboratories use them under equipment that handles solvents and reagents.
If your business handles any liquid that could cause harm to people, property, or the environment, you need drip trays as part of your spill containment strategy.
Different Types of Drip Trays
Solid Polyethylene Drip Trays
Polyethylene is the most common material for drip trays because it is durable, chemical-resistant, and easy to clean. Solid polyethylene trays are essentially shallow basins that collect liquid at the bottom. They are ideal for catching drips from stationary equipment or for placing under drums in storage areas.
These trays come in various sizes, from small units that fit under a single container to large trays that can hold multiple drums. The key specification to look at is the containment capacity, which tells you how much liquid the tray can hold before it overflows.
Mesh Drip Trays and When to Use Them
Mesh drip trays have a removable grate that sits on top of the tray. This allows containers or equipment to be placed on the grate while any drips fall through to the tray below. The advantage of mesh trays is that they keep containers elevated and dry, which makes them easier to handle and reduces the risk of corrosion or label damage.
Mesh trays are particularly useful in storage areas where drums may sit for extended periods. They are also helpful in situations where workers need to access the containers frequently, as the grate provides a stable platform.
Small vs Medium vs Large Sizing Options
Drip tray suppliers typically offer a range of sizes to suit different applications. Small trays, around 75cm by 45cm, are suitable for single containers or small pieces of equipment. Medium trays, around 100cm by 60cm, can accommodate larger drums or multiple smaller containers. Large trays, 100cm by 100cm or bigger, are designed for bulk storage areas or large machinery.
Choosing the right size is not just about fitting the container. You also need to consider the potential volume of a spill. A small tray under a large drum might not have enough capacity to contain a significant leak.
How to Choose the Right Size for Your Needs
Calculating Containment Capacity
The general rule for spill containment is that your tray should be able to hold at least 110 percent of the volume of the largest container it supports. This provides a safety margin in case the entire contents of the container is released at once. For areas with multiple containers, you typically need to calculate based on the largest single container plus 10 percent of the combined volume of all other containers.
This might sound complicated, but it is a straightforward calculation once you know the volumes involved. If you have a 200-litre drum, your drip tray should have a minimum capacity of 220 liters.
Matching Tray Size to Drum or Container Size
Beyond volume, you need to ensure the tray is physically large enough to fit the container with some space around the edges. A drum that sits right at the edge of the tray is at risk of tipping off. There should be a clear margin on all sides. For equipment, make sure the tray extends beyond the footprint of the machine to catch any splashes or sprays.
Where to Place Drip Trays in Your Facility
Machinery and Equipment
Any machine that uses oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, or other liquids should have a drip tray underneath it. This includes presses, lathes, pumps, compressors, and generators. Even if the machine is well-maintained, seals can fail and hoses can leak. A drip tray catches these small leaks before they become big problems.
Storage Areas for Chemicals and Oils
Drums and containers in storage should always be placed on drip trays. This is especially important for bulk storage areas where multiple containers are kept together. A single leaking drum can contaminate an entire storage room if there is no containment in place.
Loading and Unloading Zones
Areas where containers are moved on and off vehicles are high-risk zones for spills. Forklifts can puncture drums, and containers can be dropped. Placing drip trays in loading areas provides a safety net for these situations.
Compliance and Legal Requirements in South Africa
Environmental Regulations You Need to Know
South African environmental law takes spill prevention seriously. The National Environmental Management Act and various provincial regulations require businesses to take reasonable measures to prevent pollution. Allowing hazardous substances to contaminate soil or water can result in significant fines and even criminal prosecution.
Using drip trays is considered a basic precaution under these regulations. If a spill occurs and you did not have adequate containment in place, you could be found negligent.
How Drip Trays Help You Stay Compliant
Drip trays are one of the most cost-effective ways to demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations. They show that you have taken proactive steps to contain potential spills. In the event of an audit or inspection, having drip trays in place under all relevant equipment and containers will work in your favor.
Maintaining Your Drip Trays
Cleaning and Inspection
Drip trays should be inspected regularly and cleaned as needed. If liquid has collected in the tray, it should be removed and disposed of properly. Do not let trays overflow. A full tray provides no protection against the next spill.
Check for cracks, warping, or chemical damage that could compromise the integrity of the tray. Polyethylene is durable, but it can degrade over time with exposure to certain chemicals or UV light.
When to Replace a Drip Tray
If a tray is cracked, warped, or no longer holds liquid effectively, it needs to be replaced. There is no point having a drip tray in place if it cannot do its job. Factor replacement costs into your maintenance budget and keep spare trays on hand for quick changeovers.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Drip Trays
Buying the Wrong Size
This is the most common mistake. Businesses buy a tray that fits the container but does not have enough capacity to contain a full spill. Always calculate the required capacity before purchasing.
Ignoring Weight Capacity
Drip trays have weight limits. A large drum full of liquid can weigh several hundred kilograms. If the tray cannot support that weight, it will crack or collapse. Check the weight rating of any tray before using it.
Placing Trays in the Wrong Locations
Placing Trays in the Wrong Locations
A drip tray only works if it is in the right place. Placing trays in low-risk areas while leaving high-risk areas unprotected is a waste of money and a compliance failure. Conduct a thorough assessment of your facility and prioritize placement based on risk. Walk through your entire operation and identify every single point where liquids are stored, transferred, or used. Look at your machinery, your storage racks, your loading bays, and your maintenance areas. Ask yourself what would happen if a container leaked or a hose burst in each of these locations. Would the liquid be contained, or would it spread across the floor and potentially reach a drain or seep into the ground? The answers to these questions will tell you exactly where your drip trays need to be positioned.
Too many businesses make the mistake of placing trays where they are convenient rather than where they are needed. A tray sitting in an empty corner of the warehouse does nothing to protect you from a spill happening at the busy loading dock on the other side of the building. Similarly, placing a small tray under a massive storage tank gives a false sense of security because the tray will overflow within seconds if a real leak occurs. You need to match the size and placement of each tray to the specific risks in that area. Consider the volume of liquid present, the likelihood of a spill occurring, and the potential consequences if that spill is not contained. High-traffic areas where forklifts move drums around are higher risk than quiet storage corners where containers sit untouched for weeks. Areas near floor drains are critical because any spill that reaches a drain becomes an environmental incident. Take the time to map out your facility, identify the danger zones, and make sure every one of them has appropriate containment in place. This is not a task you do once and forget about. As your operations change, your equipment moves, and your storage arrangements shift, you need to revisit your drip tray placement and adjust accordingly.