SECTION 4 CHEMICAL HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
A. DEFINITIONS AND WARNING LABELS.
1. Definition of chemical hazards.
a. Explosives-Chemicals that cause a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure,
gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature.
Example-fireworks, nitrogen triiodide, gunpowder
b. Flammable liquid-Any liquid having a flash point below 100F (38C). This class is
further subdivided into:
IA. Flash point below 73. (23C)
Boiling point below 100 (38C)
Example: pentane, Tetrahydrofuran, Ethyl ether,
Carbon disulfide
IB. Flash point below 73F (23C)
Boiling point at or above 100oF (38C)
Example: Acetone, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol, Triethylamine, Toluene.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
IC. Flash point 73F (23C) to 100F (38C)
Example: Xylene, Butanol, Turpentine
c. Combustible liquid:
Flash point 100F (38C) to 200F (93C)
Example: acetic acid, Kerosene
d. Flammable solid: solid other than an explosive that is liable to cause fire through
absorption of moisture or chemical change, or which can easily be ignited and burns
vigorously and persistently.
Example: Benzoyl Peroxide, Calcium Carbide, Picric acid
e. Toxic Chemical: Any chemical that has been shown to cause acute toxic or severe
chronic health effects in exposed workers. This would include acute toxins, suspect
carcinogens, and mutagens.
Example: Bromine, Hydrofluoric Acid, Phosgene, and Nicotine
f. Select Carcinogen: Any chemical which is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen, or listed
under "Known Carcinogen" by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), or is listed
under
human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Example: Asbestos, Vinyl Chloride, Benzidine
g. Cryogen: Liquefied gases that condense oxygen from the air, create an oxygen rich
atmosphere and increase the potential for fire if flammable or combustible materials and a
source of ignition are present.
h. Etiologic Agent: A viable microorganism or toxin, which causes or may cause
human disease.
i. Radioactive Material: Any material or combination of material which
spontaneously emits ionizing radiation having specific activity greater than 0.002
microcuries per gram.
Example: Uranium 235
j. Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs): The average amount of any chemical vapor that
workers can be exposed to during an eight hour day. Example: the PEL for Benzene is 30
mg/cubic meter.
k. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs): The time weighted average concentrations for a
normal eight hour workday and a 40 hour work week, to which nearly all workers may be
repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effects.
2. LABELS
a. All chemicals will have their manufacturer's original container warning label about hazards.
b. Storage containers that do not have a manufacturer's label will be labeled by the Chemistry
Department with a computer label.
c. For smaller working amounts of chemicals that are transferred to secondary containers, those
containers must be properly labeled including any health hazards. The container must be
labeled with:
-The contents of the container i.e. the common name of the chemical. Chemical
formulas and structural formulas are not acceptable except for small quantities of
compounds synthesized in the laboratory.
-Physical and health hazards
This labeling requirement does not apply to portable containers intended for the
immediate use by the employee or student performing the transfer and to students assigned
unknown chemicals for analysis. However, hazard information should be provided with all
unlabeled chemicals in student labs.
d. DOT labeling system
There are also Department of Transportation (DOT) labels that are used on external
packaging of all shipments of chemicals and thus should be understood by all employees.
DOT labels use color-coded diamonds with picture and word warnings to convey their
messages. They are largely self-explanatory.
B. PROCUREMENT AND RECEIPT OF CHEMICALS
1. Incoming chemicals: Requisitions for chemicals are initiated by faculty members or the lab manager.
Chemicals are delivered to the supply room or to the chemical storage building.
2. Check-out and labeling: When a shipment arrives, the lab manager will inspect the shipment to ensure
that it is in fact the material ordered, is in good working condition, and that a MSDS is provided. Each
container will be marked with the date of receipt and with an appropriate warning
label.
C. GENERAL HANDLING AND STORAGE CONDITIONS
1. No smoking or flames of any kind in chemical storerooms.
2. A nonbreakable, secured secondary container should be used for transporting any hazardous
chemical.
3. All storage rooms shall have continuoes ventilation and must be checked if any buildup of odors is
noticed.
4. Annual inspections of all containers for seal, label integrity, warning labels, quantity on
hand, and any signs of decomposition.
5. Storage of chemicals in hoods and on lab benches is discouraged and all such containers shall
be returned to the appropriate storage area whenever the experiment is complete.
6. Aisles in storage rooms will not be blocked.
7. Keep chemicals away from heaters and sunlight.
8. Ensure storerooms do not have floor drains in order to prevent contamination of water
supplies.
9. A storeroom shall be clearly posted for the type of hazards inside.
10. All refrigerators used for the storage of potentially explosive materials must be explosion proof.
Clearly label all materials placed in refrigerators. All refrigerators must be labeled to indicate its
general use. For example: Chemical storage only. Do Not Store Food In This Refrigerator.
Additionally, all non-explosion proof refrigerators will be labeled. Such as Do Not
Store
Flammable Materials In This Refrigerator.
D. FLAMMABLE CHEMICAL STORAGE
1. Containers of chemicals with flashpoints less than 200 F and one gallon or larger containers shall
be stored in the flammable storage room of the chemical storage building.
2. All containers of chemicals with flash points less than 100 F shall be stored in a flammable storage
cabinet. The size and number of such containers will be kept to a minimum.
3. Large amounts of flammable chemicals should be used only in vented hoods and away from sources
of ignition.
4. Smaller working amounts of flammable chemicals should be used in vented hoods whenever
possible and away from sources of ignition.
5. The quantities of flammable chemicals stored in the laboratories should be kept to minimum unless
they are stored in a flammable storage cabinet.
6. Flammables should not be stored in areas exposed to direct sun light.
7. Heat flammable substances in steam, water, oil, hot air baths or heating mantles only.
8. Isolate all flammables from:
9. Appropriate fire extinguishers and/or sprinkler systems and spill control materials will be available
in all areas where flammable chemicals are stored.
10. All chemical storage rooms will have a raised area in the doorway to contain spills.
E.
1.
2.
3.
PEROXIDE-FORMING CHEMICALS
Date all peroxidizableles upon receipt and upon opening.
Store away from heat and light sources.
Potential peroxide formers such as ethyl ether, cyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran will not be allowed
to evaporate to dryness.
4. After the recommended disposal date, test the chemical for peroxide or dispose of properly.
5. Ethyl ether will not be kept for more than two years in any case.
E. CORROSIVE CHEMICALS
1. Inorganic corrosives will be stored in acid room of the chemical storage building by themselves in a
clearly labeled area.
2. Organic corrosives will be stored in a separate area of the organic storeroom and clearly labeled as
such.
3. Keep storage areas dry, well ventilated and cool, but not cold as acetic acid freezes at 60F (16C)
4. Isolate corrosives from all other nearby chemicals.
5. Whenever possible store corrosives in their original shipping containers.
6. Acid spill control material will be readily available.
7. Store corrosives four feet or less above the floor.
8. Recognize that some acids, such as Perchloric and fuming Nitric, must be treated as strong oxidizers
rather than acids.
9. Separate corrosives that will react with other corrosives.
G. WATER REACTIVE CHEMICAL STORAGE
1. Isolate from other chemicals and label clearly.
2. Store in a dry place.
H. COMPRESSED GAS STORAGE
1. All extra gas cylinders will be located in the chemical storage building. They will be secured
at
all times. Caps will remain on until in use.
2. Paper tags will be used on all cylinders to indicate the state of the tank as: Full, In Use, or
Empty.
3. Cylinders will be transported on gas cylinder carts, with caps in place.
4. All cylinders outside the storage area must be securely attached to walls or benches with
chains or straps.
I. TOXIC CHEMICAL STORAGE
All toxic chemicals will be stored in a separate area with appropriate warning signs.
J. SELECT CARCINOGENIC CHEMICAL STORAGE
1. Isolate from all other chemicals and label the area clearly for the hazard involved.
2. Store close to the ventilation intake to minimize vapor
hazards.
3. Dispose of as soon as possible.
4. See complete list in Appendix
.
K. CRYOGEN STORAGE
1. Always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when handling. Gloves should be
impervious and sufficiently large to be readily thrown off should a cryogen spill.
2. Watches, rings, and other jewelry should not be worn
3. Containers and systems containing cryogens should have pressure relief mechanisms.
4. Containers and systems should be capable of withstanding extreme cold without becoming
brittle.
L. WASTE DISPOSAL
if
1. Label all waste using a waste label that includes the name of the chemical, the concentration
possible, the date collected, and the lab instructor’s name or the course where the waste came
from.
2. Waste containers shall be transported the waste collection site in the chemical storage
building.
3. Waste chemicals shall not be stored or left in hallways for future pickup.