Storage and Handling of Chemicals

Section D: Storage and Handling Requirements

Shelves should be made of a chemically resistant material wherever flammable or corrosive chemicals are stored and should have a lip or side rails.
Flammable, corrosive, or particularly hazardous chemicals should not be stored any higher than 5 feet off of the ground. Large bottles should be stored no more than two feet from ground level.
No smoking or flames of any kind in chemical storerooms.
All storage rooms shall have continuous ventilation and must be checked if any buildup of odors is noticed.
Aisles in storage rooms must not be blocked.
Storerooms cannot have floor drains in order to prevent contamination of the water supply.
A storeroom shall be clearly posted for the type of hazards inside.
Chemical storage rooms should not be used as preparation areas unless a separate area is set up as a preparation area. This will help limit the possible contamination of a large quantity of virgin chemicals.

Large quantities of chemicals must be stored in the chemical storage building
Working quantities of chemicals will be stored in one of the chemistry prep areas or in the laboratory if it is a chemical that is used on a routine basis.
Chemicals used for research can be stored in research labs as long as the storage of such chemicals adheres to the requirements outlines in the chemical hygiene plan.
Storage of chemicals in hoods and on lab benches should be kept to a minimum and all such containers should be returned to the appropriate storage area whenever the experiment is complete.

Chemicals shall be segregated by hazard classification and compatibility. The following list can be used as a guide for segregating chemicals by hazard classification. A list of common incompatible chemicals can be found in Appendix F.
Storage Compatibility:

Keep chemicals away from heaters and sunlight.
Annual inspections of all containers for seal, label integrity, warning labels, quantity on hand, and any signs of decomposition.
Labels on stored chemicals should be able to be read easily.
Large quantities of chemicals should be stored outside in the chemical storage building in the appropriate room.

Chemical inventories should be kept to a minimum in working laboratories.
These minimal inventories should be stored in a safe manner as outlined in the chemical hygiene plan.
All flammable chemicals in laboratories must be stored in a flammable cabinet.
Acids should be stored in acid cabinets.
Other corrosives should be stored on containment trays.
Carcinogenic chemicals can only be stored in a laboratory if a designated area is set up for the storage of such chemicals.
Chemicals should be segregated by chemical characteristics to avoid incompatibilities.

All refrigerators used for the storage of potentially explosive materials must be explosion proof.
Nonflammable materials can be stored in a nonexplosion proof refrigerator, but cannot also be used for consumable food storage.
Clearly label all materials placed in refrigerators.
All refrigerators must be labeled to indicate its general use, such as “Chemical Storage Only. Do Not Store Food In This Refrigerator” or as “Food storage: No Chemicals”.

An inventory of all chemicals must be maintained in an electronic data base.
An inventory of all chemicals will be conducted once a year, which will include all chemicals in prep areas, laboratories, and refrigerators.
All chemicals must be delivered to the chemistry stockroom so that proper inventory records can be maintained.
Keep the reserve supply of chemicals to a minimum.
Many chemicals are assigned an expiration date. The expiration date should be strictly observed. Expired chemicals should be marked for disposal.
A date received/date opened label should be placed on all chemicals when received. Whoever opens the chemical is responsible for recording the date opened.
Stored chemicals must be visually inspected annually. Indications that a chemical should be disposed of include:

Know the hazards involved with all chemicals you will be working with before starting work in the laboratory.
Know the types of protective equipment available and use the proper type for each job.

Splash goggles are required whenever a splash hazard exist. Safety glasses are only suitable in situations where physical hazards exist.
Closed-toe shoes, preferably leather, that cover the entire foot are required for everyone entering a lab.
Gloves are chemical specific. Gloves suitable for one chemical may not be adequate in protecting against another. When working with a highly toxic substance, be sure you are using the proper gloves.
Lab coats and aprons are available for employees. Heavy duty aprons are available when using concentrated acids and bases.

Know the location of and how to use the emergency equipment in the lab in which you are working.
Use caution when transporting chemicals:

Transport chemicals on a cart that can contain a spill.
Use a nonbreakable, secured secondary container for transporting a hazardous chemical that exceeds 1 liter or 1 kg.
Do not ride the elevator when transporting compressed gas cylinders or cryogens. Place a prominent sign on the cylinder warning others not to board the elevator.

Avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals by any route (inhalation, absorption, ingestion or injection)
Do not taste any chemical and always use the proper technique when smelling a chemical.
All persons, including visitors should wear proper personal protection, wherever chemicals are stored or used.
Avoid consuming food or beverages in areas where chemicals are being used or stored.
Sims is a non-smoking building.
Avoid hazards to the environment by following accepted waste disposal procedures.
All chemicals must be correctly and clearly labeled.
Avoid distracting or startling any other worker. Practical jokes or horseplay cannot be tolerated at any time.