Hazardous materials storage - regulations, best practices

How should hazardous materials be stored?

Following the law, hazardous materials should be stored in single-story buildings made of non-combustible materials with the required fire resistance class. Protection in the form of exhaust vents facing outwards from the building also plays an important role.

In addition, the warehouse should be equipped with a system for detecting and alarming possible dangers (e.g. leakage of toxic substances). Also important are the personal and collective protection equipment that employees are required to use. These include:

• First aid kits, 
• Fire extinguishers, 
• Neutralising substances (e.g. sorbents to quickly neutralise uncontrolled spills).

The floor should have sufficient load bearing capacity, durability against wear and tear and easy maintenance. Draining pits for the disposal of water and storage cleaning agents or the elimination of dirt will also certainly be useful.

If windows are provided in the construction, they should also be made of non-combustible or flame-retardant material. It should also be possible to open windows to ensure adequate ventilation of the rooms.

When doing so, it is worth paying attention to the additional protection against the risk of solar heating of hazardous materials.

And while we're at the temperature, some substances require cooling. This is why industrial chillers are used in some buildings.

Last but not least, the storage area should be appropriately labelled and protected from access by third parties. In addition, all stored substances and mixtures should be labelled with warning symbols and labels providing information on storage requirements and interaction with other substances.

What are the regulations for the storage of hazardous materials?

Regulations for the storage of hazardous materials are not standardised across Europe, so the legal basis here is national.

In the UK, these are primarily:

• Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH);
• Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 (CHIP); 
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

These oblige the employer or warehouse manager to be aware of health and safety regulations, fire safety regulations and the proper handling of hazardous materials. They also make him responsible for organising employee training and oblige him to equip the warehouse with fire safety equipment, ensure that materials are properly labelled, carry out regular inspections or supervise during renovation work.

Employees, on the other hand, are obliged to report and rectify defects in the warehouse immediately and to use personal and collective protective equipment as intended.

What are good practices for storing hazardous materials?

Good practices for storing hazardous materials are as follows:

1. Use appropriate containers;
2. Clearly label containers; 
3. Store compatible materials together; 
4. Store goods in a suitable location; 
5. Ensure safety; 
6. Store away from food and drink; 
7. Store heavy items at the bottom; 
8. Store containers in an upright position; 9. Train employees.

1. Use appropriate containers

Tanks, vessels and other packaging used to store hazardous materials should be:

• Made of a material that does not react chemically with and is not damaged by the substance stored; ● Durable and resistant to external damage; 
• Airtight and protected against the escape of hazardous contents or the entry of other substances. In addition, when storing liquids, containers should be: 
• Filled with sufficient free space to accommodate the thermal expansion of the liquid under conditions of storage, transport and use; 
• Secured against spillage and spreading of contents in the event of damage; 
• Compatible with a device to safely measure the amount of liquid contained in the container.

2. Clearly label containers

Tanks, vessels and other packaging used to store hazardous materials should be labelled with:

• The name of the chemical, 
• The hazard classification, 
• Any additional warnings that are necessary.

In addition, hazardous material storage areas should be marked with the appropriate pictograms according to the GHS (Globally Harmonised System), which was developed to standardise the classification and labelling of chemical products used worldwide.

3. Store compatible materials together

Hazardous materials should be stored together on a compatible basis. Substances should not be stored together that present additional hazards due to their interaction.

You can use the division used for the transport of hazardous materials to determine the materials' belonging to the appropriate storage groups.

This point, together with the previous two, will help you to set up an efficient storage system.

4. Store goods in a suitable location

Store hazardous materials in a designated area, away from sources of heat, sparks and flames. This area should also be easily accessible to authorised personnel.

In addition, proper storage of hazardous materials is characterised by:

• Temperature, humidity and protection from sunlight according to the type of hazardous materials and their properties; 
• Respecting restrictions on joint storage and use; 
• Limiting the amount of materials stored at one time to that permitted for the material and the room; 
• Respecting the rotation rules with respect to the permissible storage time for individual materials;
• Respecting additional requirements specific to the storage of materials and their use; 
• Arranging materials in such a way as to allow inspection.

5. Ensure safety

Hazardous materials should be stored in a secure area locked or otherwise inaccessible to unauthorised personnel.

6. Store away from food and drink

Store hazardous materials away from food and drink to prevent contamination. Eating in their storage area should also be prohibited.

7. Store heavy items at the bottom

If you are stacking or shelving containers, place the heaviest items at the very bottom. This will prevent them from falling and getting damaged.

8. Store containers in an upright position

Store containers with hazardous materials in an upright position (or as recommended on the packaging) to prevent leaks or spills.

9. Train employees

All employees working with hazardous materials should receive appropriate training in storage procedures, including emergency response and spill control.

A chemical warehouse worker may be a person who:

• Has at least a vocational or general education and has been familiarised with the materials in the storage rooms and their storage methods;
• Is familiar with the types of chemical substances and mixtures stored in the warehouse and the principles of handling these chemicals and how to administer first aid in case of poisoning, burns, cuts, etc; 
• Has received induction training in occupational health and safety, whereby he/she is familiar with the occupational risk assessment for the specific position and the management of emergency situations; 
• Has a current medical certificate with no contraindications to the above work; ● Has been provided with working clothes and protective equipment selected according to the level of hazards.

The employer should have all these issues recorded in the personnel file.

What are the risks of improper storage of hazardous materials?

Improper storage of hazardous materials can lead to health risks, fires, or even explosions. The most popular consequences of improper storage of hazardous materials are:

• Health risks - If hazardous materials are not stored properly, they pose a serious threat to human health. Overexposure to a hazardous substance can result in minor inconveniences, such as headaches and skin rashes, and much more serious health problems. 
• Fires and explosions - Improper storage practices increase the risks associated with some chemicals, especially those that are flammable, corrosive or reactive. 
• Environmental contamination - Improper storage of hazardous materials can lead to leaks and spills, contaminating the soil, water and air. This can have long-term effects on the environment and wildlife, and harm human health. 
• Regulatory violations - If hazardous materials are not stored following regulations established by governing authorities, companies can face fines, legal penalties, and other consequences. 
• Barriers for emergency services - Improper storage of hazardous materials can make it difficult for the services to access and contain spills or other accidents, making it difficult and risky for rescuers to work.

Summary

You already know how hazardous materials should be stored and what good practices to follow to ensure adequate protection for people and the environment. Not only will this have a positive impact on working conditions in the storage facilities, but it will also save your company from unnecessary penalties.