4 Critical Mistakes in Hazardous Material Storage (and How to Fix Them)

Proper hazardous material storage is no joke—especially when dealing with strict provincial and national guidelines. With over 26 years of experience in the spill containment industry, the Enviro-Pads team has seen our fair share of mistakes. Here are 4 common errors we see when it comes to hazardous material storage—plus some easy solutions.

1. Leaving Containment Exposed to the Elements

While this reason doesn’t violate any regulatory requirements, improper hazardous material storage is a common mistake we see many site managers make. For example, take this common situation: several oil berms are placed on an uncovered spill containment tray outdoors. While this might meet containment requirements, it also leaves both your materials and spill containment solutions vulnerable to rain, leaves, snow, and other natural elements. This can cause multiple problems, including:

• Container degradation and structural failure.
• Excess fluid in your containment pad, leading to overflows or costly cleanups.
• Compromised materials if your initial containment is faulty.

The solution: Invest in covered hazmat buildings with proper protection from the elements. Not only will these units protect your materials from damage, they will also prevent rainwater buildup or debris from entering your containment unit, making clean-up easier than ever.

2. Undersizing Your Hazardous Material Storage

Alberta has specific regulations that outline the spill containment requirements for many hazardous materials. This often includes sizing specifications, labelling, storing standards, and more. While there are several details in these regulations that site managers should be aware of, the most common mistake we see when it comes to compliance is undersizing secondary containment units. Common undersizing mistakes include:

• Inadequate secondary containment: Your secondary containment unit must hold 110% of largest container or 100% of the largest plus 10% of additional containers
• Insufficient separation distances: Different hazard classes need proper spacing.
• Limited expansion capacity: Your hazardous material containment should include extra space in case your operational needs change.

The solution: Trust a spill containment provider like Enviro-Pads to design a comprehensive system that is 100% compliant with local regulations. With high-quality options and modular capabilities, our products can easily scale and adapt to meet your needs.

3. Using the Wrong Materials

Material compatibility is critical in Alberta’s harsh climate, but choosing the right materials goes beyond weather resistance. Different chemicals require specific containment coatings and materials to help prevent corrosion or structural breakdown in the event of a spill. For example, we create lots of hazardous material storage buildings for potash mines. As this material is extremely corrosive, our buildings are built from high-quality stainless steel that can withstand these harsh substances.

The solution: Choose engineer-certified storage systems built from the right materials for your specific chemicals and Alberta’s climate. Options include aluminum construction for lightweight durability, steel for structural strength, stainless steel for corrosive resistance, and specialized acid coatings when necessary. Proper material selection protects both your investment and your operation.

4. Trusting Dated Techniques

Spill containment regulations have become significantly stricter over the past decade, making outdated storage methods both dangerous and expensive. Many operations still rely on makeshift solutions that leave them vulnerable to spills and regulatory violations.

Outdated approaches that create liability:

• Basic tarps and temporary barriers instead of engineered containment
• Single-wall storage without proper secondary containment
• Manual monitoring instead of automated leak detection

Modern spill containment technology includes leak detection and high-quality materials built to comply with current standards. These systems actually reduce operating costs by preventing incidents before they happen.

The solution: Upgrade to modern, compliant storage systems with integrated spill prevention. Current technology pays for itself through reduced insurance costs, fewer compliance issues, and eliminated cleanup expenses.

Contact Enviro-Pads Today!

Ready to get started? The Enviro-Pads team is here to help. Our hazardous material storage buildings are high-quality, customizable, and built to comply with strict local and national environmental regulations. Call us today to start creating your custom solution.