Table 1 and table 2 below demonstrate compatible family groupings. The following general suggestions for safe storage of chemicals in the laboratory should be implemented. In earthquakeprone areas like santa barbara, it is particularly vital that chemicals be stored safely. Safe chemical handling requires routine inspections of chemical storage areas and maintenance of stringent inventory control. Chemicals, or the synthetic precursors of high acute toxicity materials. There is a range of storage facilities suitable for chemicals in the laboratory environment. Maintaining a safe and secure laboratory environment involves carefully tracking chemicals and monitoring who has access to them at every stage of research. Separation by distance is common practice in storage buildings, which may include dedicated flammable stores or gas cylinder compounds, but it can also be applied to chemicals in laboratories as a means of keeping incompatibles a safe distance apart. This document is intended for supervisors, principal. Cabinets for chemical carcinogens or highly toxic chemicals should be locked. A summary and chart derived from the hse guidance hsg71 chemical warehousing the storage of packaged dangerous substances on large scale storage ie warehouse quantities is given at appendix 3. Establish a database of chemicals in the laboratory. Safe storage of chemicals in the workplace pekin insurance. The document attempts to provide teachers, and ultimately their students, with information so that they can take the appropriate precautionary actions in order to prevent or minimize hazards, harmful exposures, and injuries in the laboratory.
This manual provides guidelines to help you meet these standards. Chemical storage safety guidance loughborough university. One solution is to separate chemicals into their organic and inorganic families and then to further divide the chemicals into related and compatible families1. If you need a set of chemical storage guidelines meet osha and safety needs in your lab, school, manufacturing or storage facility, this page should provide the template you need. By applying the information in this book, readers can create a safer place to workthrough a safer storage environment, wiser storage practices and. The overall purpose of correct storage is to maintain control over the chemicals. Need a system including an inventory, a process for approving chemical orders, a process for determining when chemicals need d\. Recommendations for storage of laboratory chemicals. However, storage near or under sinks where there may be exposure to water is to be avoided. The aim of this document is to provide guidance on the safe storage of chemicals in laboratories within nerc. Safe storage of chemicals can be achieved by arranging the materials to. Unfortunately, reports of accidents and incidents involving the use and storage of chemicals are far too frequent. Empty flammable substance containers, unless completely free of liquid or vapour must also be kept. Ensure that all containers are in good condition, properly capped and properly labeled with the full chemical names.
The safe and secure storage of chemicals is a core component of the standard operating procedures sops necessary for a chemical safety and security program. Safe handling and storage of chemicals environmental health. Flammable and combustible liquids procedures for safe handling and storage chemicals which exist at ambient temperatures in a liquid form with sufficient vapor pressure to ignite in the presence of an ignition source are called flammable or combustible liquids note. The inherent hazards of chemicals can be reduced by minimizing the quantity of chemicals on hand. Laboratory workers should date containers with the day, month and year they are first opened and first received.
So, in this column we provide general safety rules of thumb for handling and storing chemicals in the laboratory. Pdf proper handling and storage of chemicals researchgate. Cabinets under hoods and laboratory benches may be used for storage of chemicals. Persons who have these chemicals need to translate that awareness into preventative measures, inventory control and good chemical hygiene. Chemical storage facilities must meet certain minimum standards to satisfy diverse regulations, such as those of calosha, the local sanitary district, and the california fire code. We must remain diligent in properly handling and storing these hazardous materials, or problems will arise. Under hood storage should be limited to the storage of compatible corrosives. By following a few simple guidelines, the risks associated with handling and storage of material within the laboratory can be reduced considerably. An accurate inventory is also necessary if emergency responders are to respond effectively to a fire or chemical release in the area. If the relevant data safety sheets are available, then the chemical storage matrix can be applied to development of an sop before the receipt of all hazardous chemicals. Storage and handling of chemicals flammable solvents like benzene, alcohol, ether and carbon disulphide should never be handled without turning off burners, heaters, etc. The safe storage of hazardous chemicals is an essential part of an environmental. Recent college of american pathologists cap laboratory inspections have led to many questions regarding the segregation and storage of chemicals. It is important to understand what substances can be safely stored in which storage container.
Laboratory hoods chemicals should not be stored in laboratory hoods. The flinn chemical catalog reference manual suggests organic. Laboratory safety guidance occupational safety and. Limit the amount of chemicals present in the laboratories. Improperly stored chemicals could result in fires, explosions, and other serious health hazards that could impact you, your business, or your employees. See appendix a for the definition of hazardous chemical and other terms used in this code. It is not a definitive guide and in all cases the material safety data sheet msds for the substance must be referred to in. Chemical storage matrix chemical laboratory safety and.
Laboratory chemicals of concern and storage may 2012 page 2 synergies that may be found in chemicals that populate a laboratory. Laboratory safety is governed by numerous local, state and federal regulations. They may be freestanding with their own extract system, or may be situated beneath a. In organizing your storage areas, you should consider all possible safety hazards including the safety features of the storage facility, chemical hazards, container integrity, compatibility of. The material safety data sheet from the manufacturer should be consulted as a primary reference for storage guidance for that material. Science safety handbook california department of education. However, by considering how chemicals can be stored safely and securely most if not all of these incidents can be avoided. An instructors duty of care for planning and designing lab activities for the science curriculum includes the responsibility for the proper storage, handling, use. Toxic, harmful and irritating chemicals toxic substance is one that can cause serious acute or chronic effects, even death toxic chemicals. Safe use of chemicals in the laboratory correct storage, handling, and disposal safe, appropriate use of heat sources in the laboratory proper prevention of exposure to bloodborne pathogens from sources such as sharp instruments lancets, needles, tissues, and body fluids firstaid procedures. When you initially sort your chemicals for storage, crossreference the safety data sheets sdss for the incompatibilities of each chemical with other chemicals in the laboratory. It also involves proper use, storage, and disposal of any.
This provides a safe spark free interior and can be used in a hazardous envirnment. Before storing any chemicals, please refer to our previous blog post entitled safe handling of chemicals in the workplace for information on identifying hazards and labeling of the chemicals. Essential guide for chemists, safety directors, and lab managersreceive straightforward guidance for new procedures or equipment with these books. Recommended procedures for the safe storage of chemicals. Often incompatible chemicals are found next to each other on shelves rather than locked in approved safety storage cabinets. Specific storage guidelines by chemical group are included at the end of this safetynet. Once identified, each laboratory must establish a policy to provide for the proper storage, handling and use of these chemicals. Short guide on storage of hazardous chemicals in laboratories information sheet storage general issues quantities of chemicals should be kept to a minimum and any bulk quantities of individual chemicals more than 5 litres should be stored in dedicated external storage areas. Proper storage, maintenance, and labeling of these chemicals can help prevent accidents and provide a safe working environment. It is not a definitive guide and in all cases the material safety data sheet. Shelves should be kept free of chemical contamination and dust.
The safe storage of hazardous chemicals is an essential part of an environmental, health, and safety program. The purpose of this section is to identify and classify hazardous chemicals that are commonly used in a research environment. This guideline discusses some of the compatible storage schemes that may be used so that chemicals of different hazard classifications can be safely stored together. Fact sheet laboratory safety osha laboratory standard oshas occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories standard 29 cfr 1910. Chemical handling and storage suny polytechnic institute. Become more familiar on subjects including microbiology, patents, analytical chemistry, or anesthesia with the beneficial literature. The following top twelve list of safety practices from flinn scientific will help you improve safety in the use of laboratory chemicals.
But lab safety involves more than just wearing protective gear. Guidance on safe storage of chemicals in laboratories. Flammable and combustible liquids procedures for safe. In addition, laboratories and work areas on campus must. Safe storage of laboratory chemicals, 2nd edition pdf. Improper storage of laboratory chemicals can present a potential safety hazard for school science departments. Storage of hazardous chemicals in laboratories health and. Proper storage of chemicals within a laboratory is a difficult and continuing problem. The quantities of chemicals that are stored within a laboratory should be minimized, as specified by nfpa 45 and osha.
There are several key principles of safe storage which should be followed. While this may increase the cost per container, it will reduce waste disposal costs and may also make more laboratory space available for work, rather than storage. Safe storage of hazardous chemicals uc berkeley, ehs. An sds is an important tool for assessing and managing the risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals in workplaces. Guidelines can be used to implement a safe storage system for. While the list of chemicals may vary by laboratory and experiments, this document provides a basic guideline to storing and maintaining chemicals, and using the sds to properly handle chemicals. Laboratory personnel must receive training regarding the laboratory standard, the chp, and other laboratory safety practices, including exposure detection, physical and health hazards associated with chemicals, and protective measures. An accurate inventory is also necessary if emer gency responders ar e to respond effec. Chemical storage guidelines from the cdc chemical storage guidelines from the cdc guidelines for safe chemical storage.
Publications will give laboratory or classroom confidence when using newly purchased instruments or chemicals. Chemistry and chemicals have a central place in science, and safe chemical practices are the most basic and fundamental parts of any lesson. The material safety data sheet from the manufacturer should be consulted as a. The correct storage of chemicals within storage areas stock rooms, workshops and laboratories is an ongoing problem which can sometimes be complex and potentially confusing.
Planning 3 minimise the range of chemicals that need to be stored. Some chemicals especially concentrated acids, produce lot of fumes on exposing to the atmosphere and therefore it is advisable to handle these inside a fume hood. Recommended procedures for the safe storage of chemicals in. However, when chemicals must be used, proper storage and handling can reduce or eliminate associated risks. Having acquired good chemical safety habits early, students are better prepared when they move on to more advanced courses.
Chemicals stored on laboratory worktop benches, floors. If incompatible chemicals are inadvertently mixed a fire, explosion, or toxic release can easily occur. When implementing appropriate levels of laboratory safety and security, it is important to specifically consider. All chemical containers must be appropriately and clearly labelled. Determine if facilities permitting proper storage of chemicals and. Over the years, osha has promulgated rules and published guidance to make laboratories increasingly safe for personnel. The risks that arise from poor storage of chemicals in laboratories include. The flinn chemical catalog reference manual suggests organic and.