As your Dangerous Goods Storage Specialists, we’ve seen our fair share of HAZCHEM stores. Most chemical stores are selected, installed, used and maintained to an excellent standard, but others may be missing vital safety measures that can protect staff, property and the surrounding environment.
In this post, we’ll be sharing our best tips for keeping your HAZCHEM store compliant. Some of these tips might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how often we find chemical safety cabinets or outdoor chemical storage containers failing to meet the most basic compliance requirements. Keep reading the blog to find out how to look after your HAZCHEM store and maintain compliance.
Sounds simple right? Only store chemicals in a safety cabinet or storage container.
However, we’ve seen many workplaces storing everything from personal protective equipment and tools to cleaning applicators and safety data sheets inside stores.
Make sure your staff are trained to understand how to store chemicals correctly and know not to put the following within a safety cabinet or dangerous goods container.
Your stores, like this toxic substance storage cabinet, should only be for keeping that particular class of chemical.
Once you’ve invested in a dedicated chemical store, don’t allow your staff to compromise their safety — and the compliance of your workplace — by storing mixed classes of chemicals together.
Instead, refer to the segregation rules detailed in the dangerous goods segregation chart, as well as the information for chemical storage found in the safety data sheet of your product.
One of the most common incompatibility problems we see with dangerous goods is when Class 8 Corrosive acids and bases are stored in the same chemical cabinet. These substances, while of the same DG class, must be stored separately for the safety of your workplace. There are many incompatible substances for each class of dangerous goods, so if you’re not sure of the segregation guidelines, then refer to a Dangerous Goods Consultant who can assist with compliant storage and segregation.
While chemical stores may receive adequate attention from staff, have you considered the other areas in your operation that have chemical packages in the short term?
Your job site won’t be compliant if a stack of IBC’s containing Dangerous Goods is left sitting on the ground outside the warehouse. A chemical incident can easily occur when chemicals are being delivered or moved around your website.
To maintain safety, you’ll need consistent work procedures to ensure that every time an order of hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods is delivered, a sufficiently trained staff member is available to receive and put away the chemicals.
The order needs to be inspected for leaks and container damage, then put away in the chemical stores. A delivery left in the yard could be impacted by vehicles or compromised by unauthorised workers and site visitors. At the same time the chemicals may be exposed to heat and direct sunlight.
We also see chemical deliveries sitting in the yard without spill protection, which could spark a chemical reaction with incompatible substances, ignition of flammable chemicals or pollution of the environment due to a leak in the container.
Your work procedures should include purchasing controls to ensure there is always enough space in chemical stores to accommodate a delivery. Often, chemical deliveries are left outside because existing chemical stores are at capacity or there is no-one on shift with a forklift licence.
Unsafe practices can lead to hazards in outdoor areas and loading docks when chemicals aren’t put in storage when they first arrive on site.
Chemical stores must have the appropriate dangerous goods and hazard signage according to Australian WHS Regulations, Safety Standards and the ADG Code (where applicable). This includes the warning placards placed on the safety cabinets themselves, as well as other signs that must be placed in and around the job site. You will not achieve chemical compliance if signs are damaged, installed at the wrong height, or have anything obstructing their visibility.
Many job sites have the correct storage equipment in place, but they fail to have copies of safety data sheets (sdss) and the register of hazardous chemicals available nearby. it’s very easy to resolve this problem by buying an SDS document holder, purpose-built for safety documents and attaching it within easy reach of the chemical stores.
Many workplaces we see have immaculate chemical stores, but then on a corner of the job site (or at the back of an old shed) we find a pile of discarded oil drums plus a bunch of unwanted chemicals. Very often this waste pile sits on old pallets (which are combustible) and contain a stack of ‘empty’ containers that still have traces of chemical liquids and fumes.
Unnecessary chemicals and empty containers should be disposed of safely to reduce hazards at your site. This includes the chemicals and containers that are no longer needed or those substances that are out-of-date.
In Australia, there are nationwide programs for the disposal of agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals, and you can contact your local Council or EPA office for information about specific wastes including corrosives, solvents and toxic substances.
When you’re working with HAZCHEM, you must be prepared to deal with an emergency. One of the most important factors to consider is your emergency plan, associated documents, and staff training.
Make sure you have properly evaluated your onsite chemicals and HAZCHEM stores so that you can effectively create an emergency plan that addresses the risks in your workplace. Under model WHS laws, every workplace must have an emergency plan that is easy to access, reviewed and updated regularly. They must be developed and reviewed in consultation with the staff in your workplace.
Emergency plans must include essential information such as:
As a workplace with hazardous substances, remember to also implement the following:
The best way to determine if your worksite has any non-compliance issues is to conduct a risk assessment — including a site inspection and chemical safety audit. To get started, we recommend getting a copy of our free eBook. How to manage the risk of Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace clearly explains the risk assessment process so you can manage HAZCHEM store compliance. Download your copy today.