Chemical Storage: Categories, Hazards And Compatibilities

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.

1. Labeling for Hazardous Material

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.
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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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, Log in or to access full content. Learn more about your institution’s access to JoVE content here 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. Log in or to access full content. Learn more about your institution’s access to JoVE content here Quick Card National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/704/NFPA704_HC2012_QCard.pdf 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 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) 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 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 OSHA, Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, 2012 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") Safe laboratories require proper handling of hazardous chemicals, including appropriate labeling and storage. Many types of chemicals are important for scientific research, thus it is crucial to know their properties and potential dangers. Chemicals may interact dangerously, and must be properly segregated and stored. Fire and safety organizations have strict standards for labeling, segregation, and storage, which can prevent hazards in the lab. This video will illustrate how to evaluate, label, and store laboratory chemicals. Log in or to access full content. Learn more about your institution’s access to JoVE content here Explore More Videos Chemical Storage Categories Hazards Compatibilities Safe Laboratories Handling Labeling Storage Scientific Research Properties Dangers Segregation Fire And Safety Organizations Standards Evaluation Product Identifier Signal Word Hazard Statement Precautionary Statements Hazard Pictograms Contact Information NFPA 704 Diamond Symbol Health Hazard Flammability Hazard Reactivity Hazard Privacy Terms of Use Policies Contact Us Recommend to library JoVE NEWSLETTERS Research JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive Education JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site Authors Overview Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope and Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit Librarians Overview Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ ABOUT JoVE Overview Leadership Blog Copyright © 2024 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved