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Review common sense practices for hazardous material storage to ensure safety in the workplace. Learn about proper labeling, organization, inventory, cleanliness, and safety precautions.
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HAZARDOUS COMMUNICATION“Annual Update” Common Sense Chemical Storage and Handling
BASIC RULE NUMBER ONE “A place for everything and everything in its place”
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
BASIC RULE NUMBER TWO “Label! Label! Label!” (An absence of a label is a violation of law!)
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?
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?
BASIC RULE NUMBER THREE “First In…First Out”
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?
BASIC RULE NUMBER FOUR “Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness”
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?
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?
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?
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?
BASIC RULE NUMBER FIVE “Think Before Doing”
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?