Why utilities are moving to BOB transformer containment bags
Why Utilities are moving to BOB® Transformer Containment Bags
Across Australia, utilities are facing a common and growing challenge: ageing transformer fleets, rising failure rates,
and increased scrutiny around environmental compliance.
At the same time, transformers are becoming larger and heavier, placing greater demands on containment systems during removal,
transport and storage.
Many traditional approaches—steel bunds, in-ground pits and improvised containment—are now creating operational and
safety challenges of their own.
For Engineering, HSE, Fleet and Project teams, the question is no longer whether containment needs to improve,
but how to standardise a safer, more practical solution across the fleet.
BOB® Transformer Containment Bags have emerged as the preferred choice for utilities seeking a transport-rated,
compliant containment system designed for real-world field conditions.
Designed for today’s Transformer fleet
BOB® bags are purpose-built to accommodate a wide range of modern transformer sizes, with increased height and volume capacity to suit today’s network assets. Each bag is capacity-rated with a
safety factor of 6:1, providing confidence for lifting and transport operations.
Despite their increased capacity, BOB® bags remain highly portable. They fold down compactly, allowing crews to carry them as standard equipment on service vehicles or store them efficiently at depots.
This directly addresses a common operational issue for Fleet and Project Delivery Managers: bulky steel bunds that are difficult to transport, store and deploy when time is critical.
Transport-rated containment, not just storage
Unlike many containment solutions designed only for static storage, BOB® is engineered, tested and proven for transport. Once a transformer is placed inside the bag, oil is fully contained during lifting, road transport and storage.
This eliminates the need to drain transformers prior to removal—an activity that introduces contamination risk, handling complexity and potential asset damage. BOB® bags are also suitable for PCB-contaminated equipment, helping utilities meet strict environmental and regulatory requirements.
Each bag incorporates triple-layer 11oz oil-absorbing pads—significantly heavier than the 7oz pads commonly used by competitors—to manage residual oil and maintain safe transportability.
The containment system is supported by:
- Super-tough triple-layer sidewall construction that resists puncture and shredding during transport
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive that never solidifies or liquifies, remaining pliable under vibration and preventing tearing
- Batch-tested nylon liners, proven superior to polyethylene through extensive dye-penetration and long-distance vibration testing, including hundreds of miles of road transport with dyed fluid to confirm seam and liner integrity
Safer lifting, simpler compliance
BOB® is not a bag with added lifting points—it is a fully engineered sling bag.
The design incorporates continuous webbing with bottom cross-web reinforcement, allowing the transformer and containment
system to be lifted safely as a single unit.
For Engineering and HSE Managers approving work methods, this provides clear benefits:
- Rated lifting system with documented performance
- Reduced reliance on steel bunds and improvised rigging
- Lower manual handling risk during deployment
- Easier, more controlled crane lifts compared to rigid bunds
Environmental protection that also protects the asset
Keeping oil inside the transformer during removal and transport is not just about spill prevention—it also protects the asset itself.
By preventing oil loss and contamination, BOB® helps preserve internal insulation and reduces the risk of secondary damage prior to refurbishment or redeployment.
After use, BOB® bags can be reused or are 100% recyclable, allowing utilities to minimise their environmental footprint while maintaining compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
For teams accountable for environmental performance, this translates to fewer incidents, fewer near misses, and reduced exposure to remediation costs and regulatory escalation.
Better tracking from field to depot
Every BOB® bag includes a heavy-duty document pouch with a return tag, enabling crews to record key asset and job details in the field.
This information stays with the transformer through transport and storage, improving traceability and reducing administrative gaps for Engineering, Fleet and Procurement teams.
Why utilities are standardising on BOB®
Every BOB® bag includes a heavy-duty document pouch with a return tag, enabling crews to record key asset and job details in the field.
This information stays with the transformer through transport and storage, improving traceability and reducing administrative gaps for Engineering, Fleet and Procurement teams.
Utilities are adopting BOB® for three clear reasons:
Environmental protection
Transport-rated containment that eliminates spill risk during lifting and transport, including for PCB-contaminated equipment.
Improved safety and efficiency
Lighter and easier to deploy than steel bunds, with safer lifting, reduced manual handling, and proven durability under transport conditions.
Fleet-wide standardisation
A compliant, capacity-rated solution that works across transformer sizes, vehicles and depots—and can be reused or recycled at end of life.
BOB® is a modern containment system built for modern networks—practical for field crews, trusted by HSE, and efficient for fleet and project teams.
For more details on the range, click here to find the right BOB® solution for your network’s needs.
Supplied in Australia by TEN, BOB® Transformer Containment Bags are supported locally with technical advice and trusted by utilities across the nation. We support our customers with rapid delivery and the largest range of products in the market.
