Deciding on the type of chemical storage equipment for your workplace is not always a straightforward process. There are many considerations (and requirements) that will determine how and where you store your chemicals in a safe, efficient and convenient way. In this post, we’ll be highlighting 7 things to think about before you buy chemical storage, so you can save yourself time and the headache.
#1. Where's the Most Suitable Location for Chemical Storage?
It's the age-old question: Do you need indoor or outdoor chemical storage?
While we understand that larger quantities of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods generally have to be kept in a chemical or dangerous goods container, there are many factors that can determine whether indoor or outdoor chemical storage is right for your workplace.
Think about these things before you buy chemical storage for your business:
- Are there requirements or regulations that determine how much of the substance you can keep indoors?
- Does the equipment impede evacuation or emergency procedures?
- Do the chemicals require specific conditions for storage that are unsuitable for the outdoor environment?
- Will a temperature-controlled store be necessary to ensure the chemical's safety and stability?
- Is there a risk that gases, vapours or chemical emissions may put the workplace above the requirements of the workplace exposure limits?
- Can staff carry out their duties if the storage facilities are located in an indoor or an outdoor position?
- Is the area secure and does it prohibit unauthorised entry?
IMPORTANT: Storemasta outdoor chemical storage containers and DG containers are equipped with ISO locking bars that offer high security. By providing a secure outdoor store for your hazardous chemical products, you're minimising the likelihood of theft, misuse and vandalism.
#2. How Much Stock Do You Have?
Do you carry over 850L of flammable liquids or do you store 45L of corrosive substances? With so many options available for chemical storage, getting the size of your store right is probably one of the first considerations to make.
How much stock do you have – and how much will you have in the near future?
If your chemical storage cabinets or outdoor storage cabinets exceed the maximum quantity, you're not only in breach of compliance, but could be negating the controls of your storage equipment. Overloaded storage cabinets and outdoor chemical containers can increase the risk of incidents such as leaks and spills, fire and corrosion.
It can also damage the equipment (failed shelving, damaged doors etc.) and potentially put your staff at risk of chemical burns, exposure or physical injury.
REMEMBER: Larger chemical storage cabinets and outdoor chemical storage containers are usually more cost-effective than smaller models. See more in our blog on the cost of flammable storage cabinets - or get in touch with our team who can run through the storage options with you.
#3. Do You Have Adequate Emergency Decontamination Equipment?
Emergency showers and eyewash facilities can help your workers minimise the effects of hazardous chemical exposure. Without quick, simple access to these safety showers and emergency eyewash stations, your staff can't wash off chemicals (and other materials) if they are spilled on the skin or splashed into the eyes.
While the creation of set chemical storage and handling procedures, along with the provision of personal protective equipment, can improve the safety at your site. However, there will always be a situation that involves the need for emergency decontamination facilities.
The need for these facilities can be influenced by several factors including:
- Your risk assessment
- A safety audit
- The volume of chemicals onsite
- The type of chemicals that you're storing
- Australian Standards and WHS Regulations
Have you considered whether you need to install additional safety showers or emergency eyewash facilities along with your new storage cabinets or containers?
IMPORTANT: You can learn more about when you may have to install a shower and eyewash facility in your workplace by clicking here.
#4. Do Your Staff Require Operational or Chemical Safety Training?
While you may have decided upon a suitable chemical storage cabinet or outdoor store, there’s no point installing one to increase workplace safety if your staff don’t know how to operate the equipment in a compliant manner.
How you install, use, clean and maintain your chemical storage equipment can affect how well the cabinet lasts and how well it protects your organisation. Making sure your staff know how to operate the equipment is also an essential part of your WHS obligations.
Make sure you have created a standard operating procedure for your equipment before it’s installed onsite and ready to be used. For the safety of your staff, as well as your entire organisation, your team must be trained in chemical safety (if there’s new substances onsite) as well as operational procedures for how to use and maintain the cabinet.
REMEMBER: Spill kits, personal protective equipment, fire extinguishers and emergency procedures should all be reviewed and updated when a new chemical is brought onsite.
#5. Have You Updated Your Safety Data Sheets and Register of Hazardous Chemicals?
Did you know that your hazardous chemical register is a requirement under WHS law? Whether you opt for a hard copy or an electronic version of your register, you must make sure that it's up to date if your new storage facility is housing additional chemicals or new types of substances.
Your hazardous chemicals register needs to be prepared and maintained so records are all up-to-date. You must also make sure that the register is freely available to staff (and emergency services in the event of an incident).
Your register requires copies of the current safety data sheet for each chemical product, so that staff can quickly access information about the chemical and physical properties, known hazards, first aid procedures and other essential information.
REMEMBER: You can store your hard copy chemical documents, such as your safety data sheets and chemical register, in a purpose-built document storage box secured to your chemical storage cabinet or outdoor chemical container.
#6. Are You Carrying Incompatible Substances?
When it comes to dangerous goods, it's a safe bet to assume that your chemicals should be isolated from other classes. Whether you're storing flammable substances, toxic chemicals, flammable gases or volatile chemicals, understanding the hazards and incompatibilities is a top priority for safety.
While the segregation distances must be noted when you're storing chemicals in the same area, chemical storage cabinets and outdoor chemical stores provide adequate segregation when you're storing your substances in dedicated stores.
Need to learn more about chemical segregation?
This is often a more convenient option for businesses who are working with multiple dangerous goods classes, as it frees up floor space and provides protection against the hazards associated with incompatible chemicals and those that will react dangerously.
REMEMBER: Storing hazardous chemicals indoors? You can learn more about how safety cabinets provide segregation by reading our blog.
#7. What Type of Chemical Packages Are You Carrying?
Your stored chemicals must be correctly identified and assessed to ensure safety at your site. However, it's also important to make sure that the chemical storage cabinets or outdoor containers that you're selecting are suitable for the chemical packages that you intend to store.
Hazardous chemical products and dangerous goods come in a variety of packages, including (but not limited to):
- Chemical drums
- IBCs
- Bottles
- Spray bottles with lids
- Plastic containers
- Metal tins
- Jerry cans with secure lids
- Chemical bags
The maximum capacity for your storage cabinets or chemical containers is determined by litres or kilograms of chemicals. This capacity is clearly listed on the front of your equipment.
However, these figures can sometimes be deceiving, as your total amount of chemicals may meet the maximum capacity requirements - while the actual packages may be too bulky to fit in the store. By looking at your chemical type as well as your packages, you'll be able to determine the size of the equipment you'll actually require.
The Importance of Risk Assessments Before You Buy Chemical Storage Equipment
A risk assessment isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime task. In fact, regular risk assessments help you accurately identify any new hazards that may have arisen after you've introduced new controls. In addition to this, any new chemicals, work practices or other changes to your workplace can trigger the need for a new risk assessment.
To adequately identify and assess the level of risk in your workplace, we suggest conducting an onsite risk assessment. If you and your team don't have the experience or knowledge to conduct the risk assessment, get in touch with a qualified Dangerous Goods Consultant who can offer their expertise.
The risk assessment allows your workplace to look at all possible hazards including ignition sources, reactive substances, the potential for spills and other concerns. After you have conducted your risk assessment, you’ll then be armed with the knowledge of the chemical risks at your site. You can then move forward in reducing these risks through chemical storage and other controls.
We recommend conducting a risk assessment prior to purchase, so you can be sure that you’re controlling all chemical risks.
Without an in-depth assessment, you may have multiple hazards present in your storage and handling areas. Therefore, the risk assessment is a key tool in ensuring both safety and compliance for your entire workplace.
Guide to Storing Chemicals
Would you like to know more about the safe storage of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods? Our Ultimate Handbook details all the storage essentials that you may like to review when you’re considering chemical storage for your business. We cover a range of topics including the regulations and requirements, dangerous goods classes, indoor and outdoor chemical storage, training and more. Get your copy for just $6.99+GST. It’s a small price to pay for maximum safety at your site.
