Store products in a cool dry place. Store household cleaning products in the contain- ers in which they were purchased. Don't remove products from their original containers or store them in unlabeled containers that lack the caution statements that appear on the original product labels.
Keep storage areas free from clutter, explosives, and flammable conditions. Prevent chemical storage conditions that may encourage rats or pests. Place stored materials at least six feet from hoistways and at least 10 feet from exterior walls. Separate chemicals that cannot be stored together.
General Storage Requirements
Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container. Use rated storage cabinets or safety cans whenever possible—required for >10 gal.
Labels for a hazardous chemical must contain:
Name, Address and Telephone Number • Product Identifier • Signal Word • Hazard Statement(s) • Precautionary Statement(s) • Pictogram(s) Page 3 3 above, the label could state, “Do not breathe vapors or spray. Get medical attention if you feel unwell.
It is often best to have more than one storage area, so that incompatible chemicals can be kept separate. If incompatible chemicals share the same storage area they should be separated within the store (known as segregation) to ensure they cannot come into contact with one another.
Among the options A) Labeling containers clearly, B) Storing chemicals in unmarked containers, C) Keeping chemicals in a well-ventilated area, and D) Using appropriate storage containers and cabinets, the one that is NOT a guideline for storage is B) Storing chemicals in unmarked containers.
First, we will clarify your responsibility in making an inventory of chemicals in the work place: employers must list the names of all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace by using the identity that is referenced on the material safety data sheet (MSDS).
Use Caddies and Bins on Shelves
Use separate caddies for your bathroom, kitchen, and living areas with the right type of cleaners and supplies in each one. If you like to keep extra products on hand, use clear plastic labeled bins, so you can quickly see what you have on hand.
Store chemicals in the original containers (labeled with instructions and common name) in designated areas separate from food, equipment, linens, and utensils. Space chemicals apart from other items or partition them from other items, and always keep them under food, equipment, utensils, linens, etc., never above.
Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents. This helps prevent any fumes from spreading to other areas of the facility.
Tightly sealed chemical containers
To prevent leaks – whether of liquids or fumes – chemical containers should be tightly sealed and kept off the floor on pallets. Containers should never be stored higher than eye level on racks, which should in turn be securely attached to the walls.
Chemical Handling Guidelines
Properly seal, label, and store chemicals in appropriate containers. Check stored chemicals for deterioration and broken containers. Do not store chemicals near heat or sunlight or near substances which might initiate a dangerous reaction if combined.
-Having designated places to store specific chemicals. -Chemicals should be locked up at all times. -Stored in original containers. -Don't combine chemicals even if they are similar.
Storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage. Portable tanks, not exceeding 660 gallons, shall be provided with emergency venting and other devices, as required by chapters III and IV of NFPA 30-1969, The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
Safe storage of chemicals can be achieved by arranging the materials to provide separation based on their chemical properties. This requires planning and will involve, an inventory list, accurate labelling, an appreciation of chemical incompatibilities and a range of suitable containers and storage facilities.
Cabinet must be double walled with one and one-half inch airspace. Joints must be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means. Door must have a three-point latch. Door sill must be raised at least two inches above the cabinet bottom to retain spilled liquid within the cabinet.
Safely handling chemicals
Before use, review the hazard information on the container label in an SDS or equivalent (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Merck Index).
These are the Five elements of the Hazard Communication Standard. They are: Chemical Inventory, Written Program, Labels, Material Safety Data Sheets, and Training. The first element of the Hazard Communication Standard is for employers to develop inventories of all the hazardous chemicals they have at their worksite.
OSHA requires employers to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical present in the workplace, providing critical information on handling, exposure, and emergency measures.