If your workplace uses oxidising agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrate, it’s very important that you store and manage these substances in a way that reduces the risk that they pose to the people and property of your organisation. One key factor to consider when storing an oxidising agent, is to ensure that the chemical is kept well away from other incompatible classes of dangerous goods. There are many chemicals that are incompatible with oxidising substances — and there are other chemicals that will react dangerously with oxidisers.
To determine the segregation rules for oxidizing substances, you can refer to the Australian Standard AS 3833 – The storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods, in packages and intermediate bulk containers.
We’ll look at these requirements in depth below, so you can understand the dangers associated with your oxidising agent – and what you can do to minimise risk. But first, let’s look at the difference between incompatible substances and those that can react dangerously.
Incompatible Substances and Substances that React Dangerously
Incompatible dangerous goods are defined as those dangerous substances that are:
- Likely to interact with other goods, increasing the risks when mixed or brought into contact with the DG;
- Listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code or the Standard AS 3833; or
- Declared as incompatible by the regulatory authority.
Dangerous goods that will react dangerously are those substances that react in a manner that directly creates a hazard due to the reaction. Examples of dangerous reactions include combustion, evolution of considerable heat, formation of corrosive substances, or the evolution of flammable, toxic or asphyxiant gases.
Why are Oxidising Agents Dangerous?
An oxidising agent has the potential to contribute to the combustion of other materials. While not necessarily combustible within themselves, these substances may cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials due to their ability to yield oxygen. These substances are also harmful to human health, so the appropriate personal protective equipment must be used. Oxidising substances must not make contact with the skin or eyes, and great care should be taken to avoid the inhalation of vapours or dusts from oxidising agents.
Oxidising agents can contribute to the combustion of other materials, with these chemicals also negatively affecting human health.
Fire Risk with Oxidising Substances
Oxidising agents can yield oxygen through a chemical reaction. This can create a fire risk when both oxygen and a flammable fuel are mixed in the presence of an ignition source. In addition to the segregation requirements for oxidizing substances, the isolation of ignition sources and flammable materials is a necessary precaution for workplaces who use, generate, handle or store these Class 5.1 chemicals.
Dangerous Goods Segregation
To protect staff and property, oxidising substances must be segregated from dangerous goods that are incompatible and those that react dangerously.
The segregation of incompatible classes of dangerous goods can be achieved by using separate chemical storage cabinets or outdoor dangerous goods stores.
The storage and segregation of oxidising agents in the workplace may include the use of indoor Class 5.1 safety cabinets.
Why are Oxidizing Agents Usually Stored Away from Other Chemicals?
Oxidizing substances are a class of dangerous goods that requires careful chemical segregation practices. This is because these chemicals pose a severe risk, due to the various classes of dangerous goods that they can react dangerously with – or are incompatible with.
The required separation distance for oxidising agents from other incompatible dangerous goods depends on the compatibility of the chemicals.
Substances That React Dangerously With Oxidising Agents
There are many substances that will react dangerously with oxidising agents, posing significant reactivity issues that require isolation.
These substances fall under the dangerous goods classes outlined below:
- Class 2.1 - Flammable Gas
- Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
- Class 4.1 - Flammable solids
- Class 4.2 - Spontaneously Combustibles
- Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides
- Class 6.1 Toxic Substances
- Class 8 Corrosive Substances
- Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
- Class 9 Lithium-ion Batteries
However, oxidising agents are also deemed as incompatible with Class 2.2 and Class 2.3 gases, so segregation is required.
TIncompatibilities Between Class 5.1 Oxidising Agents
Class 5.1 - Oxidising Agents may also be incompatible if stored with other oxidisers.
If oxidisers are from different chemical families, they can react and must be isolated. However even within the same chemical family there may be incompatibiliities, so check the SDS and reliable references.
Substances That May Be Incompatible or React Dangerously
Some substances that share the same dangerous goods classification may be compatible with each other. This means that some classes of dangerous goods may be stored within the same store safely.
However, when it comes to Class 5.1 Oxidising Agents, this is not the case.
Some oxidising agents are incompatible with other Class 5.1 chemicals, with some substances even reacting dangerously if they’re kept or handled in the same area.
Before storing two different oxidising substances together, it’s crucial that you check the safety data sheets for each substance to determine their compatibility. If these substances are incompatible, they must be kept apart by at least 3 metres. If the two different substances will react dangerously, they must be segregated by at least 5 metres.
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Safe Segregation with Oxidising Substances in the Workplace
Oxidising agents are incompatible with many classes of dangerous goods – and may even be incompatible or react with chemicals within their own class. To avoid violent chemical reactions that could harm the people and property of your organisation, it’s vital that you have a disciplined approach to storing mixed classes of dangerous goods. If you’d like a Dangerous Goods Segregation Chart to help you identify which classes of dangerous goods are incompatible with oxidizing agents, you can access your own copy for FREE today.
