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Chemical Storage: Categories, Hazards And Compatibilities

Overview

Source: Robert M. Rioux & Taslima A. Zaman, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

While the use of various chemicals in experimental research is essential, it is also important to safely store and maintain them as a part of the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) program. The properties of chemicals and their reactivity vary broadly and if chemicals are not managed, stored, and labeled properly, they can have harmful or even destructive consequences such as toxic fume production, fire or explosion, which may result in human fatality, property damage or environmental hazards. Therefore, an appropriate chemical label should identify the material and list the associated hazards, and users should have knowledge of how to read chemical labels and safety data sheets (SDS). Proper chemical storage must meet OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Association) standards and this can prevent most chemical reactivity hazards.

Procedure

1. Labeling for Hazardous Material

  1. Collect information on hazards from applicable sections of the safety data sheet (SDS) for the chemical. Some SDSs may even provide the NFPA 704 diamond symbol with hazard rating numbers filled in already.
  2. If the SDS does not provide a NFPA diamond label for the chemical, the information may be obtained under the following sections of the SDS:
    • Health hazard information under Section 11
    • Flammability information under Section 9
    &#

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Results
RGN Reactivity Group Incompatible With RGN:
1 Acids, Mineral, Non-Oxidizing 4-15,17-26,28,30-34,101-107
2 Acids, Mineral, Oxidizing 3-34,101-103,105-107
3 Acids, Organic 2,4,5,7,8,10-12,15,18,21,22,24,265,33,

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Application and Summary

Research laboratories often contain many chemicals that may pose distinct hazards to our health and well-being. Proper storage, maintenance, and labeling of these chemicals can help prevent accidents and provide a safe working environment. 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. Specific hazard assessment may reveal more specialized and additional storage requirements.

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References
  1. Quick Card National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/704/NFPA704_HC2012_QCard.pdf
  2. Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) Brief on Hazard Communication Standard: Labels and Pictograms, 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HCS) at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3636.pdf
  3. Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) 1926.152 - Flammable liquids at https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10673#1926.152(a)
  4. NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code at http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=code&code=30
  5. Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) National Research Council Recommendations Concerning Chemical Hygiene in Laboratories Standard-1910.1450 App A at https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10107
  6. OSHA, Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, 2012
  7. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (Second revised ed.), New York and Geneva: United Nations, 2007, ISBN 978-92-1-116957-7, ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.2 ("GHS Rev.2")
Tags
Chemical StorageCategoriesHazardsCompatibilitiesSafe LaboratoriesHandlingLabelingStorageScientific ResearchPropertiesDangersSegregationFire And Safety OrganizationsStandardsEvaluationProduct IdentifierSignal WordHazard StatementPrecautionary StatementsHazard PictogramsContact InformationNFPA 704 Diamond SymbolHealth HazardFlammability HazardReactivity Hazard

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0:00

Overview

0:48

Basics of Chemical Identification and Storage

4:08

Labeling Hazardous Materials

5:44

Segregating and Storing Chemicals

8:14

Summary

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