Lab Chemicals: Storage Guide

1.       Purpose:

The overall purpose is to maintain control over the chemicals so that they can be safely stored and retrieved.

2.       Lab safety requirements:

Class D fire extinguisher

Protective eye glasses

Nitrile Gloves (chemical resistant)

Chemical Resistant Aprons

Lab Shoes

Vapour and chemical resistant mask

Emergency Shower and Eye wash

Chemical spill kit

3.       Storage

3.1     Chemical storage begins with buying the minimum amount of chemical necessary. Only have the quantities on hand that you can reasonably expect to use in the next year or less.

3.2     Minimized Inventories provide a safer workplace, minimize the risk from spills, exposure, accidents, and reduce disposal costs, and protect the environment.

3.3     An inventory control log should be maintained for each chemical stored in the laboratory. The inventory form shall contain the following information:

•           Chemical Name
•           Solid/Liquid/Gas
•           Date of purchase
•           Total no of container
•           Number of unopened containers
•           Number of open containers
•           Chemical shelf life
•           Lab code (Red, White, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Striped)

[Red: Fire hazard, Flammable; White: Contact Hazard/ Corrosive; Blue: Health Hazard/ Toxic/Poisonous; Orange: Moderate/ Slight Hazard; Striped: Exceptions within the same color code labels (example - yellow label chemicals are stored apart from striped yellow label chemicals)].

3.4     Package size shall be preferably smaller. Smaller package sizes provide the following advantages:

• ·         Reduced storage hazards
• ·         Reduced storage space
• ·         Safety in handling smaller quantities
• ·         Reduced losses due to out-of-date chemicals
• ·         Minimized cost of disposal of "leftovers

3.5     Since it is almost inevitable that a bottle will fall and hit other bottles, chemicals should be arranged so that no adverse reaction occurs between the chemicals.

3.6     Following are the basic principles of storing chemicals in a laboratory:

3.6.1            As a rule storage should be away from exits, heat (steam pipes, lab ovens), and direct sunlight.

3.6.2            Bulk quantities of chemicals (i.e., larger than one-gallon) must be stored in a separate storage area.

3.6.3           Chemicals must never be stored on the floor, not even temporarily! (exception: properly secured gas cylinders).

3.6.4           Gas cylinders must be segregated according to compatibility, stored away from heat sources, upright, and secured so that they will not fall over.

3.6.5           Chemicals must be stored at an appropriate temperature and humidity level.

3.6.6           Chemical storage areas need general ventilation.  Specific chemicals may require special ventilation.

3.6.7           Do not store incompatible chemicals in the same cabinet. Segregation should be completed using four cabinets and an area for general chemical storage, (Cabinets are required for oxidizing acids, other corrosive acids, bases, and flammables over ten gallons).

3.6.8           Substantial shelves or cabinets are required.  Shelves must be capable of supporting the chemical containers, resistant to the chemicals, and should have a lip.

3.6.9           Never allow the container to hang off the edge of the shelf!

3.6.10         Glass containers should not touch each other on the shelves. Secondary containers or trays should be used for chemical storage whenever possible to minimize the flow of material should a spill or rupture occurs. Round bottom flasks should always be supported properly in cork rings or by other means to keep them from tipping.

3.6.11         Packages > 1.5 kg or 1.5 L should not be stored on shelves higher than 1.5m.

3.6.12         Liquid or corrosive chemicals should never be stored on shelves above eye-level. Store large breakable containers, particularly of liquids on the lower shelves.

3.6.13         A proper step stool shall be used for retrieval of chemicals from higher shelves, if stored.

3.6.14         Flammables require an approved storage cabinet if more than 10 gallons are present at any one time. (Cabinets are recommended for all flammable liquids.)

3.6.15         Working volumes of flammable solvents (i.e. those kept on the bench) should not exceed 500 ml.

3.6.16         If refrigeration is required, then an approved refrigerator (special models for flammable or explosive storage) with proper signage needs to be provided. Flammable materials must never be stored in domestic-type refrigerators.

3.6.17         Restricted access is recommended for highly toxic chemicals to prevent unauthorized use.

3.6.18         Bench tops should not be used as chemical storage areas.

3.6.19         Fume hoods should not be used as general storage areas for chemicals. This may seriously impair the ventilating capacity of the hood.

3.6.20         Never carry a bottle containing chemicals by its top, for example always carry chemical bottles [Winchester bottles (2.5 litres)] in carriers or baskets that are capable of providing proper support, and support the base of the bottle in use.

3.6.21         To prevent leakage, odors, or reaction with air, tightly seal all containers of highly toxic, highly volatile, malodorous, carcinogenic or reactive chemicals. Caps may be sealed with tape or Parafilm as a further precaution. Additional protection can include wrapping the container in an absorbent paper, sealing it inside a plastic bag, and storing the bag inside a metal can with a friction-fitting lid.

4.       Storage Symbols

4.1     Most chemical manufacturers include chemical storage symbols on their labels. Many manufacturers use symbols that include a hazard ranking system, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 704) diamond symbol or t the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) colored rectangle. Picture glyphs are another common label element.

4.2     Recognizing the need for a universal method to identify potentially hazardous substances, the United Nations has created a worldwide Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for label elements and safety data sheets. Because of the numerous languages used by the worldwide research community, the GHS relies heavily on picture glyphs to convey the basic information.

Examples of different symbols are given below.

Inventory format for one year chemical log.

Sr.No

Chemical Name

Solid/ Liquid/ Gas

Date of purchase

Total no of container

Number of unopened containers

Number of open containers

Chemical shelf life (years)

Lab colour code

1

2

3

4

5

Inventory shall be updated quarterly/or when a new chemical is received.

Lab colour code:

• Red: Fire hazard, Flammable;
• White: Contact Hazard/ Corrosive;
• Blue: Health Hazard/ Toxic/Poisonous;
• Orange: Moderate/ Slight Hazard;
• Striped: Exceptions within the same color code labels (example - yellow label chemicals are stored apart from striped yellow label chemicals)

NFPA Diamond

EU Hazard Glyphs

Canada National Hazard Communication

Canada’s national hazard communication standard, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The implementation of GHS in Canada will take place over a three-stage transition period to allow provinces and territories to adapt their own regulations and to allow employers, workers, and suppliers time to adjust to the new system. Implementation is expected to be complete by Dec. 1, 2018.

 https://www.aiha.org/publications-and-resources/TheSynergist/Industry%20News/Pages/New-HazCom-Guidance-from-Health-Canada-Highlights-Differences-between-U.S.,-Canadian-Regulations.aspx

GHS Labels