Storage of GHS Labelled Hazardous Chemicals
Currently hazardous substances are stored in their Dangerous Goods Class, with Flammables, Dangerous When Wet, Oxidisers, Spontaneously Combustibles and
Corrosives stored in the correct segregated storage zones. When GHS labels replace DGC labels it will be more difficult to tell where some chemicals should be stored. The
following information will help until a Code of Practice is written for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.
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All hazardous chemicals should be stored in a well-ventilated secure area, with restricted access
Only the minimum quantity required to maintain the curriculum, should be stored
Substances that fall into the following categories MUST be stored in the correct segregated storage zones (see details below):
o Flammable Liquids
o Flammable Solids
o Flammable Aerosols
o Pyrophoric Liquids
o Pyrophoric Solids
o Self-Heating Substances
o Self-Reactive Substances & Mixtures
o Substances and Mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases
o Oxidising Liquids
o Oxidising Solids
o Skin Corrosion
o Corrosive to metals
Where possible, solids should be stored above liquids.
Incompatible substances MUST NEVER be stored together.
Storage cupboards should be labeled to identify the contents
Dangerous Goods
Class & Pictograms
Pictograms, GHS Classification & GHS
Hazard Statement
Storage
Explosive materials should not be stored in schools.
Explosives
DGC:1
Explosives
H200: Unstable explosive
H201: Explosive; mass explosion hazard
H202: Explosive; severe projection hazard
H203: Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard
H204: Fire or projection hazard
H205: May mass explode in fire
Gas Cylinders
All gas cylinders MUST be:
•
stored in a well-ventilated secure location away from excessive heat;
•
securely supported using suitable racks, straps, chains or stands;
•
transported and strapped to a cylinder cart;
•
stored away from incompatible classes of gases.
FLAMMABLE
GAS
2
Flammable Gas
DGC: 2.1
Flammable Gases
H220 Extremely flammable gas
NON-FLAMMABLE
NON-TOXIC
GAS
2
Non-Flammable NonToxic Gas
DGC: 2.2
Toxic Gas
DGC: 2.3
Gases under Pressure
 Compressed gas
 Liquefied Gas
 Dissolved Gas
 Refrigerated Liquefied Gas
H280 Contains gas under pressure; may explode if
heated
H281: Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic
burns or injury
OXIDIZING
GAS
2
Oxidising Gas
DGC: 2.4
Oxidising Gases
H270 May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser
Flammable liquids MUST be stored in a flammables cabinet that is compliant with
AS1940. The flammables cupboard must be:
 vented to the outside,
 be located away from heat sources
 not have substances stored in the drip trays
FLAMMABLE
LIQUID
3
Flammable Liquids
DGC: 3
Flammable Liquids
H224 Extremely flammable liquid and vapour.
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.
H227 Combustible liquid.
Flammable solids MUST be stored in a flammables cabinet that is compliant with
AS1940 or in a separate segregated compartment lined with flameproof material
such as Hardiflex.
FLAMMABLE
SOLID
4
Flammable Solids
DGC: 4.1
Flammable Solids
H228 Flammable solid
The flammables cupboard must be:
 vented to the outside,
 be located away from heat sources
 not have substances stored in the drip trays
Pyrophoric Liquids, Pyrophoric Solids & Self Heating Substances MUST be stored
on shelves or within compartments lined with flameproof material such as
Hardiflex.
SPONTANEOUSLY
COMBUSTIBLE
They must be stored away from Flammables and Oxidising Agents.
4
Spontanously
Combustible
DGC: 4.2
Pyrophoric Liquids, Pyrophoric Solids &
Self Heating Substances
H250 Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air
H251 Self-heating; may catch fire
H252 Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire
Substances and Mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases
MUST in a flammables cabinet that is compliant with AS1940 OR in a separate
segregated compartment lined with flameproof material such as Hardiflex.
DANGEROUS
WHEN WET
4
Dangerous When Wet
DGC: 4.3
Substances and Mixtures which in contact with
water emit flammable gases
The flammables cupboard must be:
 vented to the outside,
 be located away from heat sources
 not have substances stored in the drip trays
H260 In contact with water releases flammable gases,
which may ignite spontaneously
H261 In contact with water releases flammable gases
Oxidising Liquids and Oxidising Solids MUST be stored on shelves or within
compartments lined with flameproof materials. Storage zones MUST be labelled
appropriately. Store solids above liquids.
OXIDIZING
AGENT
5.1
Oxidising Substances
DGC: 5.1
Oxidising Solids and Oxidising Liquids
H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.
H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser.
Organic Peroxides should not be stored in schools.
Organic Peroxides
Oxidising Peroxides
DGC: 5.2
& / or
H240 Heating may cause an explosion
H241: Heating may cause a fire or explosion
H242: Heating may cause a fire
Chemicals of Acute Toxicity MUST be kept in a locked cupboard or locked room.
Otherwise they do not require segregation or any special storage arrangements.
TOXIC
6
Toxic
DGC 6.1
Acute Toxicity – oral, dermal or inhalation
H300: Fatal if swallowed
H301: Toxic if swallowed
H310: Fatal in contact with skin
H311: Toxic in contact with skin
H330: Fatal if inhaled
H331: Toxic if inhaled
Not covered within the scope of workplace hazardous
chemicals requirements
Not covered within the scope of workplace hazardous chemicals requirements
Not covered within the scope of workplace hazardous
chemicals requirements
Storage and use of radioactive sources MUST be in accordance with the
requirements of the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Ionizing Radiation in
Secondary Schools, National Health and Medical Research Council 1986 http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rhs/rhs19.pdf
Or to a better standard eg Use of Radiation in Schools Pt 1: Ionizing Radiation
(RPS No 18) http://www.arpansa.gov.au/Publications/codes/rps.cfm
INFECTIOUS
SUBSTANCE
6
Corrosive substances should be stored according to AS 3780 - The storage and
handling of corrosive substances.
CORROSIVE
8
Corrosive
DGC: 8
Skin Corrosion
Corrosive to metals
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H318 Causes serious eye damage.
H290 May be corrosive to metal.
Chemicals classified as Skin Corrosion or Corrosive to metal MUST be stored in a
ventilated, lockable cabinet constructed from corrosive resistant materials. The
cabinet should (ideally) have two separate compartments to enable the
segregation of acids and alkalis
Corrosive substances MUST be stored away from flammables and oxidising
agents.
No equivalent hazard pictogram
Storage will depend on the specific chemical.
MISCELLANEOUS
DANGEROUS
GOODS
9
These substances should not be stored in schools
No equivalent
& / or
Self Reactive Substances & Mixtures -Type A & B
H240 Heating may cause an explosion
H241 Heating may cause a fire or explosion
No equivalent
Store with Spontaneously Combustibles
Self Reactive Substances & Mixtures– Type C-F
H242 Heating may cause a fire
No equivalent
Store with Flammable Liquids
Flammable Aerosols
H222 Extremely flammable aerosol.
H223 Flammable aerosol.
No equivalent
Chemicals with other health hazards should be kept in a locked cupboard or
locked room. Otherwise they do not require segregation or any special storage
arrangements.
Various Classifications and hazard statements
No equivalent
Chemicals with other health hazards should be kept in a locked cupboard or
locked room. Otherwise they do not require segregation or any special storage
arrangements.
Various Classifications and hazard statements
No equivalent
Not covered within the scope of workplace hazardous chemical requirements
Aquatic Toxicity
THE ABOVE SPECIFICALLY RELATES TO SA. (Other states may have similar requirements)
 The Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Ionizing Radiation in Secondary Schools is an Approved Code of Practise under the Radiation
protection & Control (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2000.

“The Use of Radiation in Schools Pt 1: Ionizing Radiation” is an update of the above Code of Practise & as such can be followed as it
provided better health & safety outcomes than the currently approved code.

AS1940 “The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids” & AS3780 “The storage and handling of corrosive substances”
are mentioned in the GHS “Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace” as good guidance material,
therefore should be followed.
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Contact information:
Sheryl Hoffmann
Phone: +61 8 8291 9325
Fax: +61 8 8272 1463
Email: shoffmann@conconcordia.sa.edu.a