Safe
Storage of Laboratory Chemicals
The purpose of this section is to identify and classify
hazardous chemicals that are commonly used in a research
environment. Once identified, each laboratory must establish
a policy to provide for the proper storage, handling and
use of these chemicals.
Storage
Practices:
All
laboratories should be inspected periodically to identify
which system chemicals are stored by. More than likely,
at least one of the following examples of poor chemical
storage practices will be found in the laboratory.
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- Chemicals
stored in random order
- Chemical
stored in alphabetical order
- Chemicals
stored by poorly chosen categories, such as
all acids (inorganic, organic and strong oxidizers)
stored together
- Chemicals
stored in hood
- Flammables
stored in domestic refrigerator
- Food
and drinks stored along side of chemicals in
refrigerators
- Overcrowded
shelves requiring manipulation of several containers
to remove the container of interest
- Chemicals
left on bench top where last used or shoved
into out-of-the-way location to make room for
ongoing experiments
- Inventory
control is poor or non-existent, containers
are not dated; containers are obviously ancient
- Some
containers have no labels or labeled in such
a manner that does not adequately describe the
contents or hazards
- Containers
stored on the floor
- Caps
on containers are missing, deteriorated or badly
fitting
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Accidents
resulting from poor storage techniques are preventable.
In most cases, poor storage practices have not yet caused
a disaster. However the potential for such a disaster
is extremely high. Many of the storage requirements presently
recommended have been learned through adverse experiences
and thus incorporated into regulations. Certain of these
regulations, specifically those related to storage and
handling of carcinogens, are not to be ignored. The specific
Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS) should be consulted before
use and when questions arise concerning chemical properties
and associated hazards.
Use
of appropriate storage cabinets, for each type of hazardous
chemical, can significantly reduce risks, whereas inappropriate
cabinets increase the dangers. Wooden storage cabinets
for acids are safer and more durable than metal cabinets,
unless a metal cabinet is specially treated with a corrosion-resistant
coating. Likewise, specially designed fireproof metal
cabinets are preferable for storage of flammable materials,
since they can maintain flammable liquids below vaporization
temperatures, even in a fire. Steel cabinets common
in most labs are highly inappropriate for storage of
flammables since they allow heat from a fire to be quickly
transferred to the cabinet shelves. This results in
rapid vaporization of the flammable liquid, bottle breakage
and accelerated fire spreading.
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