Contain leaks: which option is recommended?

• A. Absorbent socks
• B. Drip pans and catch basins
• C. Sandbags
• D. Towels

Answer: (B)

Contain leaks by using equipment that physically collects and holds the spilled liquid so it can be removed safely. Drip pans and catch basins are designed for this purpose: they provide immediate containment under leaks from tanks, drums, valves, and other equipment, capturing the fluid and preventing it from spreading across floors or entering drains. This setup gives you a concrete place to dispose of the contaminated liquid and keeps the work area cleaner and safer.

Absorbent socks are handy for slowing and containing a small leak or forming a barrier around a specific area, but they don’t provide the large, reusable containment that pans or basins offer. Sandbags can divert water or spills in some outdoor or flood-control scenarios, but they’re not ideal for indoor petroleum leaks and don’t provide a collection point for easy cleanup. Towels soak up oil but are not a reliable containment method and can leave residues, degrade, or require disposal as contaminated waste.

So, the recommended option is to use drip pans and catch basins to contain leaks effectively.