Following OSHA Hazardous Chemical Storage protocol protects employees while ensuring proper product inventorying and management. More than 32 million American workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals in worksites nationwide. While many everyday workplace chemicals might appear superficially harmless, inadvertent and direct chemical exposure leads to chronic, irreparable health conditions. Awareness, vigilance, open channels of communication, and proper chemical storage standards mitigate most insidious effects while handling dangerous chemicals. Our fire-rated chemical storage solutions can protect vulnerable employees and personnel without interrupting daily operations.
What are Some Common Products that Induce Illness?
Dangerous chemical compounds abound the workplace. Although industrial manufacturers effectively communicate known product hazards, complacency and failure in reading the “small print” and disclaimers concoct hazmat emergencies. Industrial cleaning products, including disinfectants, floor strippers, bleach, ammonia, and solvents contain hazardous ingredients. Ongoing or inadvertent chemical exposure increase reproductive disorder and cancer risks. Short-term chemical interactions also pose immediate side effects, including skin and eye irritation, nervous system impairment, and inhalation hazards. Inadvertent and direct chemical exposure through spills or incompatible mixing require immediate medical attention.
How Do Dangerous Chemicals Enter the Body?
OSHA Hazardous Chemical Storage Saves Lives, Preserves Inventory
Chemical dangers persist in every industry. No industrial manufacturer is above federal regulations. Failure to follow prudent and considerate chemical storage regulations results in hefty civil fines and penalties. More 650,000 hazardous chemicals are used in jobsites nationwide. Although memorizing every safety standard for each hazardous classification is impossible, becoming well-versed and knowledgeable of chemicals unique to your service industry is expected. Moreover, following OSHA’s evolving and changing Hazard Communication Standards is paramount.
What is a OSHA Hazard Communication Standard?
OSHA hazard communication standards are rules and regulations for workplace safety. While OSHA’s federal safety requirements are exhaustive, quantitative, and exacting, these standards are industry benchmarks for compliance. Common examples of OSHA standards include fall protection requirements, hazard communications, machine guarding, respiratory protection, and powered industrial truck operation protocol. An OSHA hazard communication standard provides regulations for chemical safety, including written information about related hazards, training, proper chemical labeling, hazard statements, and labeling.
Chemical Labeling
Proper chemical labeling engenders organization, inventorying, and protects workers. All workplace chemicals should have legible labeling. Products without labeling should be immediately discarded if supervisors cannot verify point of origin. While each industrial chemical presents special workplace hazards, necessitating special storage accommodations, no hazard classification is the same. Chemical labeling provides important hazard identification information and known risks. Moreover, chemical labeling provides safety and handling instructions, as well as emergency response numbers. Labels reduce workplace accidents while raising employee awareness. Proper chemical labeling also reduces operating costs through astute inventory management and timely procurement.
Material Safety Data Sheets
Material safety data sheets provide detailed written information for organic and inorganic chemical compounds. Each MSDS is separate and distinct from other chemical data sheets. For example, the MSDS for chlorine should not be conflated with the ammonia safety data sheet. There exists a standard SDS for every known industrial chemical compound. Safety data sheets include physical and chemical properties for each hazardous product. Furthermore, these sheets also enumerate health and environmental hazards, safety precautions, handling and storage guidelines, and fire suppression information. OSHA requires all chemical manufacturers to provide safety data sheets for all chemicals. Employers should make safety data sheets readily available to all employees.
Chemical Storage Solutions for OSHA Hazardous Requirements
There exists a chemical storage solution for every hazmat dilemma. Our two-hour and four-hour fire-rated storage buildings can safely segregate and protect flammable materials, corrosives, liquids, and combustibles in steel drums, totes, or palletized systems. Optional fire suppression, climate control, and mechanical ventilation enhance workplace safety while preserving chemical consistency. We also provide non fire-rated chemical storage solutions. These storage containers ensure lasting OSHA hazardous chemical storage compliance while adhering to EPA storage standards. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!
For Further Reading….
OSHA Hazardous Chemical Storage PDF
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/Chemical%20Hazards.pdf