Safe Chemical Storage Guidelines Update

1. HAZARDOUS COMMUNICATION“Annual Update” Common Sense Chemical Storage and Handling

2. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE “A place for everything and everything in its place”

3. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE • Is storage random with no restrictions on where chemicals are placed? • Are acids next to bases? • Are oxidizers next to flammables? • Are water reactives next to the sink? • Are poisons next to a desk?

4. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE • Is storage alphabetical where incompatible substances can come into contact with others? • Are chemicals left where last used? • Are chemicals stored inside vent hoods? • Are flammables stored inside domestic refrigerators?

5. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE • Is food stored beside chemicals inside refrigerators? • Are containers, especially glass, stacked on top of one another? • Are chemicals ever stored on the floor? • Are shelves overcrowded?

6. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE • Are glass containers touching others on the shelves? • Must containers be moved to get the one you want? • Is the shelving strong enough to support the materials on them? • Are shelving securely fastened to the wall or to each other?

7. BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE • Is each shelf fitted with a small lip to prevent containers from sliding off? • Are liquids or corrosive materials stored on shelves above eye level? • Are any containers allowed to hang over the edge of shelves?

8. BASIC RULE NUMBER TWO “Label! Label! Label!” (An absence of a label is a violation of law!)

9. BASIC RULE NUMBER TWO • Does each container have a label? • Are labels fading or otherwise damaged? • Is the container (label) dated? • Is dating information used to control shelf-life problems?

10. BASIC RULE NUMBER TWO • Is color-coding practiced? • Are shelf edges painted to match color-coding of labels? • Are shelves labeled to match the chemicals stored there?

11. BASIC RULE NUMBER THREE “First In…First Out”

12. BASIC RULE NUMBER THREE • Are chemicals inventoried monthly? • Are minimum quantities storage requirements maintained? • Are containers inspected regularly for leakage, color changes, cloudiness, pressure buildup, etc. • Are damaged containers immediately taken out of service?

13. BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR “Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness”

14. BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR • Is maintenance and upkeep a high priority? • Is the storage area and work area well ventilated? • Is air re-circulated at least six times per hour? • Is the temperature and humidity maintained at a proper level? • Are proper fire extinguishers available and in proper working order?

15. BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR • Are chemicals stored in sunlight, near steam pipes, lab ovens, or other heat sources? • Are secondary trays used as a preventive to spills? • Are empty containers cleaned to be reused?

16. BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR • Are cork, glass, or rubber stoppers that could possibly leak used? • Are containers stored in fire proof or explosion proof cabinets leak proof? • Are refrigerators defrosted regularly to prevent chemical being trapped in unique ice formations?

17. BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR • Are food/drink and chemicals stored in common areas? • Are materials for cleaning spills conveniently located? • Are unauthorized persons prevented from entering storage areas? • Is appropriate hazard signage posted as required?

18. BASIC RULE NUMBER FIVE “Think Before Doing”

19. BASIC RULE NUMBER FIVE • Are containers bonded and grounded before transfer of contents? • Are cylinders securely fastened to permanent structures when not in use? • Are cylinders properly strapped to carts when moving? • Are cylinders securely capped at all times?