Effective organization of your cleaning chemicals within the designated storage space increases efficiency and prevents accidents. You should always separate chemicals according to their hazard class and be aware of which may cause dangerous reactions if mixed.
Proper chemical storage and transport is extremely important in order to maximize personal safety with respect to chemical spills, chemical incompatibilities, and fire or explosion control.
It is important that the clean, sanitized equipment and surfaces drain dry and are stored dry so as to prevent bacteria growth. Necessary equipment (brushes, etc.) must also be clean and stored in a clean, sanitary manner.
In addition to the catastrophic impacts highlighted above, chemicals stored incorrectly increase the risk of unwanted chemical reactions, damage to chemical stocks or even damage to the store itself. For example, if you store acetic acid (a corrosive chemical), you must store it at the correct temperature.
Training staff to use and store cleaning chemicals correctly is of critical importance. Many cleaning agents are flammable and corrosive and pose a risk to the person using them.
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.
General Storage Requirements
All chemicals must be stored in a safe, secure location. 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.
Storage of containers (not more than 60 gallons each) shall not exceed 1,100 gallons in any one pile or area. Piles or groups of containers shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance. Piles or groups of containers shall not be nearer than 20 feet to a building.
Correct storage must address the compatibility issues of flammable substances, unstable materials, highly reactive chemicals and vapours of highly toxic materials. Safe storage of chemicals can be achieved by arranging the materials to provide separation based on their chemical properties.
The storage of reactive materials (e.g., acids and bases) side-by-side can lead to chemical reactions if containers are improperly sealed or accidentally mixed. Separating reactive materials is good chemical storage practice.
Cleaning is Essential for Safety and Liability
A clean store is a good way to retain your customer base and it's critical for maintaining a safe retail environment. Stains, spills and dust build up on the floor are potential slipping hazards that could lead to customer harm.
Chemicals in some cleaning products can be irritating to the skin or can cause rashes. Cleaning products that contain corrosive chemicals can cause severe burns if splashed on the skin or in the eyes. products that contain bleach and ammonia can cause severe lung damage or death.
Why should companies manage chemicals in our workplace? If chemicals are not used, stored, and handled properly, they can cause injury, illness, disease, fire, explosions, or environmental effects.
Spills, fires, explosions, reactions, and exposure of toxic chemicals are all potential risks of mishandling hazardous waste.
Why is it important to safely store hazardous chemicals? Even when not in use, hazardous chemicals can still pose a risk. Some can cause or contribute to a fire or explosion, injure or poison people, damage property if they are stored unsafely. Some hazardous chemicals are also not compatible with one another.
In summary, storage facilities provide a wide range of benefits, including convenience, organization, protection and preservation, climate control, and support for community and disaster recovery. They are an essential part of many businesses and play an important role in people's lives.
DON'T store chemicals haphazardly. Keep apart solid and liquid products, flammable and non-flammable liquids; acids and alkalis etc. Store all flammable substances in a flameproof metal cupboard. DON'T let your storage space get too hot - this can alter the products' chemistry and reduce their efficicacy.
Safely storing chemicals
Ensure all stored containers are in good condition, closed, and properly labeled. Store all hazardous materials in containers, cabinets, or on shelving compatible with the associated hazard or material. Segregate chemicals by hazard class (flammable liquids, organic acids, oxidizers).
Prohibited Storage Locations
In High Places: Heavy objects should not be stored high up as they can fall and cause injury. On Scaffolds: Storing materials on scaffolds is dangerous due to instability and potential falls.
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.
Fundamentals of Hazardous Chemical Storage
OSHA safety standards require all employers to keep storage areas free of hazards, debris, clutter, and other materials that could lead to fire. Furthermore, OSHA recommends placing all hazardous materials at least 10 feet from exterior walls.
STEP 1. Identify the substances you are using. The first step in storing hazardous chemicals safely is to correctly identify each substance you have onsite. This step is crucial as identifying the chemicals you're carrying will provide you with the knowledge to understand their properties and hazards.