How a Utility Tray Can Keep Mess and Spills Off Warehouse or Factory Floors
Slide utility trays under factory floor pallet shelving to catch potential leaks
Sometimes the simplest workshop tools are also the most useful. Take, for instance, the basic plastic tray. Its size and shape — wide, portable, and just a few inches high — make it an exceptionally versatile piece of equipment in many work environments.
Additionally, these cost-effective products are easy to clean and reuse over and over again. But perhaps best of all, trays are extremely simple to use!
In this post, we’ll explore the types and workplace uses of these multi-purpose trays. And possibly introduce you to some new ideas for keeping your business tidy, clean, and safe.
Utility tray uses
Utility trays organize pails, fuel cans, and more, preventing mess or small spills
Industrial trays are useful for both small spill containment and storage. In fact, as a secondary containment solution, they can stop oil and other chemical spills. Which otherwise have the potential to pollute land, stormwater systems, and waterways.
For instance, a spill tray can become a mini berm. Use them to collect fluids from leaky machine parts or dispensers. In this application, they serve as an affordable and easy-clean drip pan substitute.
Trays also provide a handy way to store items. They’ll organize vehicle batteries, parts, chemical containers, and safety cans neatly and safely in your facility. By pairing an absorbent pad as a tray liner you’ll also minimize grime from leaky container residue.
In short, the options for using a utility tray in your business are endless!
Which containment tray to choose
Trays are available in a number of different sizes, designs, and materials. Many trays are nestable, so offer a convenient stackable storage solution when not in use. When selecting a tray for your needs, consider these factors:
Application
First, determine whether the tray is for general-purpose use or a specific application. Generally, trays fall under three groupings.
A mobile drum tray dolly ensures easy movement across shop floors
1. Spill Trays
Is your primary purpose spill containment? Then be sure to choose a spill tray that is deep enough for its container. In fact, some trays offer a spill capacity of up to 33 gallons! That way you can capture leaks and drips from small containers, drums, or acid from batteries.
A spill tray with a grate can separate items away from a liquid leak and help keep it dry. For drums, use a tray dolly to enable easy movement — for example, when cleaning floors.
2. Lab Trays
Countertop containment trays with a ribbed bottom are ideal for lab use
When working in a laboratory, lab trays will serve you well. That’s because the compact sizes fit perfectly on lab countertops. And the tray walls are the ideal height for small containers.
Some trays even have removable grates for storage and decanting of bottles, labware, and beakers. This means a safer outcome should a container accidentally tip over, spill, or break. The tray will safely contain any fluids, with less mess for you to clean up.
3. Utility Trays
Spill trays with grating act like mini pallet totes, and keep items dry from leaks
Consider stackable utility trays if you want a truly multipurpose tray. You can use them for everything from mixing liquids to containing leaks to transferring products from containers to pails. Or, even as a work surface when sorting new products and cleaning parts.
Trays using a heavy-duty polyethylene construction (HDPE) have a ribbed bottom. This feature provides additional strength and protects contents from saturation if a leak occurs.
Size
Flexible utility tray sizes hold up to 20 gallons and fold flat for easy storage
Spill trays come in rectangular and round shapes, in a range of dimensions and sump size capacities. Choose a size that’s appropriate for the items you will store on the tray and the area it needs to cover.
For instance, a shallow tray is a great option to store or clean machine parts. While flexible trays with higher sidewalls may work better to hold cans and chemical containers upright.
When it comes to large-capacity totes, like IBC, trays probably aren’t the best choice. Instead, consider a spill containment berm or a tank sump.
Material
This round HDPE spill tray for drums offers good chemical resistance
Consider what tray material best suits your environment. For example, do you require a heavy-duty material polyethylene construction? Or, will a lighter-weight, flexible option such as PVC or polypropylene be more appropriate?
Mostly, these materials offer similar corrosion and chemical resistance to stainless steel. However, you’ll always want to check the plastic tray you select is compatible with chemicals at your facility.
Price
Prices for trays can range from $25 to over $200. So, not only can you choose a tray that suits your needs, but also one to best suit your budget.
An absorbent pad liner helps keep your tray grime-free for easier cleaning
AbsorbentsOnline.com offers a wide selection of spill-containment tray products, including:
You may also want to line large plastic utility trays with absorbent pads or rolls. Or, simply have these items on hand to make any spill cleanup quick and painless.
Your spill clean-up and containment experts
Spill containment and cleanup don’t have to be a headache. Trays are simple yet flexible tools to make your workplace more efficient, safe, and compliant.
Have questions about which tray or absorbent is best for your facility? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.
This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of March 13, 2015