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Hazmat or Hazardous materials – saying these words alone can cause a quickening of the pulse and a rise in blood pressure for warehouses all over the world. Let’s face it, yes there are certain and legal ways that these hazardous materials have to be handled as supposed to dry good products. But the reasons do justify the means to handle these materials. One of the main concerns of course is safety. This is to protect the person handling and using the hazardous materials. Unfortunately, there is a need for hazardous materials in our world; they play a vital role in industries such as construction, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and much more. Hazardous Materials also come in different forms such as epoxies, adhesives, chemicals, liquids, gases, etc. Fortunately, most hazardous materials have MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). MSDS have critical information regarding the proper handling & storage, health hazards, first aid measures, firefighting measures, physical & chemical composition, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), Waste Disposal, and Transportation Information. This information is required by law to accompany all materials that are deemed hazardous. These materials were identified, classified by national and international parties setting criteria for these substances.
Domestically, the standards and regulations for hazardous materials have been set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Standards) working closely with other government agencies such as EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), DOT (Department Of Transportation), and FAA (Federal Aviation Agency). Combined with other government entities and international entities to assure hazardous materials are handled properly, correctly, and legally. OSHA has regulations in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 Subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous Substances that further detail each hazardous materials classification.
Storage of hazardous materials can have single or multiple standards and regulations. This is all depending on the hazardous materials classification and storage/ handling criteria define in the MSDS “Storage and Handling” section. Without going into a long dissertation of all the regulations for each class, there are some simple guidelines to take into consideration when storing hazardous materials.
Segregate incompatible chemicals such as storing oxidizing acids and flammable solvents in separate locations. This is to prevent inadvertent mixing of incompatible chemicals which can produce harmful gases/vapors, heat, fire and explosions. Make sure you store hazardous materials away from heat and direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight may impact and degrade chemicals, deteriorate storage containers and labels. Ensure caps and lids are securely tightened on containers. This prevents leaks and evaporation of contents. Use approved flammable storage lockers or flammable storage containers to store flammable and combustible liquids exceeding 10 gallons. Flammable and combustible liquids kept in squeeze bottles and other secondary containers may be kept on counter and bench tops provided they do not exceed the 10 gallon limit and are kept in secondary containment. Store inorganic acids in corrosive or acid storage cabinets and make sure their interiors and hardware (door hinges and shelf brackets) are corrosion resistant. Corrosive storage cabinets can be located under fume hoods or exist as stand-alone units. Flammable storage cabinets are not corrosion resistant and shall not be used for inorganic acid storage. Install Plexiglas lips or use equivalent means to prevent materials from falling off open storage shelves.
Refrigerators used for storing flammable and combustible liquids shall be designed for that purpose. Do not use ordinary domestic units. Do not store food in refrigerators designated to store hazardous materials. Label refrigerators used for storing chemicals, samples or media as follows: “Caution—Do Not Store Food or Beverages in This Refrigerator.” Labels may be fabricated by users provided they are legible and securely affixed to the refrigerator. Refrigerators used for food and beverages outside of the hazardous materials storage area require no posting.
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