OSHA is the boogieman on many jobsites. Hearing horror stories from colleagues of hefty civil fines and penalties, industrial manufacturers and colleagues do the bare minimum to stay off the government agency’s radar unless they see their operations bankrupt for unsafe, negligent working conditions. While federal meddling is never well-received, OSHA’s rules and regulations help keep workers safe, allowing employers to improve productivity and efficiency instead of constantly running around putting out fires. But OSHA isn’t out to get you. OSHA is the federal agency that protects workers from hazardous conditions while promoting safe and healthy work practices. In addition to setting enforceable safety standards, OSHA also regulates hazardous chemical storage. Industrial accidents from noncompliant chemical storage continue to affect workforces nationwide. Investing in compliant chemical protection can protect your operation and employees.
Fundamentals of Hazardous Chemical Storage
Most OSHA hazardous chemical storage regulations are commonsense. Unfortunately, thousands of companies nationwide ignore these practices, resulting in undue damage and harm. OSHA safety standards require all employers to keep storage areas free of hazards, debris, clutter, and other materials that could lead to fire. Furthermore, OSHA recommends placing all hazardous materials at least 10 feet from exterior walls. Most importantly, employers must never store noncompatible materials together or in areas subject to rapid temperature fluctuations. OSHA also advises against stacking hazardous materials above eye level or in configurations that exceed a specific gravity of 1.5.
While not federally required, OSHA recommends industrial manufacturers adopt an employee safety training program to encourage vigilance and precautions in dealing with dangerous chemicals. OSHA also says that no more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids can be stored in a single room outside an approved safety cabinet. OSHA 1926.152 requires all portable tanks, not exceeding 660 gallons, shall be provided with emergency venting and other devices, as required by chapters III and IV of NFPA 30-1969, The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Furthermore, OSHA requires at least one portable fire extinguisher, having a rating of not less than 20-B units, shall be located outside of, but not more than 10 feet from, the door opening into any room used for storage of more than 60 gallons of flammable liquids.
How Do You Properly Store Hazardous Materials?
Hazardous materials can be stored in chemical totes and drums, which are then stored in safety cabinets or storage lockers. OSHA says manufacturers should never store chemical containers in egresses, areas of high foot traffic, window ledges, or uneven surfaces. All chemical containers should be kept closed when not in use or for dispensing. OSHA has also developed regulations for federally compliant chemical safety cabinet construction. All hazardous materials and dangerous chemicals should be stored in a safety cabinet comprised of No. 18 gauge steel sheeting with a three-latch door arrangement. The chemical storage locker’s joints must be riveted, welded, or made tight by some other method. While ventilation is not federally required, mechanical ventilation can prevent the toxic buildup of flammable gases and vapors that lead to flashover events.
What Are Some Examples of Common Hazardous Chemicals?
Understanding hazardous materials classification encourages safe chemical storage. Below is a list of the most common hazardous chemicals found on the jobsite. Larger quantities of hazardous materials must be stored in compliant fire-rated storage. U.S. Hazmat Storage offers fire-rated protection for all quantities and workflow processes.
- Flammable liquids (acetone, ethanol, gasoline, hand sanitizer, Diethyl ether)
- Combustible solids (powdered metals, matches, metallic sodium and potassium, oily rags)
- Gases (carbon dioxide, benzene, ammonia, and chlorine)
- Explosives
- Petroleum products and ethanol
- Oxidizing agents
- Corrosive substances
- Fertilizers
- Biological materials
OSHA’s Safety Data Sheet Requirements Encourage Workplace Safety
Safety Data Sheets are detailed documents outlining important hazardous information related to a specific chemical. Each SDS is separate and unique. The SDS for ethanol, for example, is different than the safety data sheet for ammonia. A SDS offers a wealth of information pertaining to a chemical’s physical properties, chemical composition, reactivity, incompatible materials, firefighting measures, and storage guidelines. Each manufacturer should keep readily available safety data sheets for each chemical found on the jobsite. All employees should review the SDS for each chemical they come in contact with.
Spill Sump Containment
In addition to safeguarding workers, OSHA and the EPA have also developed storage guidelines for environmental protection. OSHA requires all chemical storage buildings with fire sprinklers must have sumps that are at least four inches deep. Sumps are affixed to the bottom of storage lockers to collect flammable liquids during spills. Furthermore, EPA 40 CFR 264.175(b)5 requires all sumps must be able to contain at least 10 percent of the total volume of the primary containers or 100 percent of the largest container’s volume, whichever is greater. All U.S. Hazmat Storage’s chemical storage lockers are equipped with a spill sump containment system to prevent spills from breaching the environment and contaminating vulnerable equipment and personnel. Our chemical storage lockers can meet all OSHA requirements for hazardous chemical storage regardless of size and application. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation.