Businesses that uses, transports, stores, and handles corrosive substances are required by Australian laws to abide by AS 3780-2008 – The Storage and Handling of Corrosive Substances.
This Australian Standard, passed into law in 2008, sets the minimum safety requirements for any business entities using such substances, guidelines in which they may store corrosive chemicals.
Under the Australian Dangerous (ADG) Code, corrosive substances are defined as Class 8 Dangerous Goods.
Class 8 dangerous goods cannot be stored in any ordinary cabinet or closet, more so, just leave them in a corner. They should be stored in specially designed corrosive cabinets that meet Australian standards for this purpose.
We, at Wholesale Safety Storage Australia (WSSA), supplies a range of Corrosive|Chemical Storage Cabinets that meet the stringent requirement of AS 3780-2008 and keep you, your employees, customers, and facility safe.
Storage of Corrosive Chemicals
Corrosive substances should be stored in separate storage areas and away from other materials. These separate storage areas should be designed to reduce any repercussions and damages that may be caused by leaks, spillages, and/or fire.
If you do not have the facility to store corrosive substances completely separate, ensure that you only store them alongside compatible materials for safety. Review the corrosive substance’s safety data sheet to be sure you are not storing them next to incompatible substances/materials.
Storing incompatible materials together risks causing violent reactions, which may form heat and produce toxic gases.
Corrosive substances should be stored in areas which are:
- Corrosive resistant – Flooring, walls, and shelving should be able to withstand any corrosive attacks and its flooring should at best be impenetrable. Containers with corrosive substances must be stored in corrosive resistant trays or special corrosive storage cabinets.
- Well ventilated – Corrosive chemicals in storage rooms or storage cabinets, must be well-ventilated. This ensures the dissipation of any fumes, in the event they occur, quickly and prevent such fumes to accumulate to dangerous levels.
- Store below eye level – Corrosive chemicals should be stored below eye level to limit or reduce hazards in the event of vessel spill, leak, or rupture.
- Appropriate firefighting or prevention equipment – Not all fires caused by corrosive chemicals require the same firefighting equipment. To cite an example, there are chemicals that react violently with water, which makes the fire it generates even worse. It is pertinent to have the appropriate firefighting equipment for all chemicals that you store in your facility.
- Suitable clean-up equipment for spills – Similar to firefighting equipment, chemical spills need spill kits that are specifically made to handle and clean up hazardous chemical spills, such as WSSA Hazchem Spill Kits.
- Warning signs – Appropriate warning signs should be placed strategically on areas where corrosive substances are stored. This is t ensure that no guesswork is needed to ensure careful handling of these chemicals if they are to be transported or handled.
- Appropriate temperature – Store all chemicals at their appropriate temperature. Note that the appropriate storage temperature is not the same for all corrosive substances. Consider each substance’s boiling and melting points that you intend to put in storage. Improper temperatures in storage could result in increase in vapours and build-up of pressure in their containers. Too much cold is also a concern, as when liquids freeze, they expand and may damage the integrity of the container.
- In proper chemical vessels – All chemicals should be stored sealed, and remain sealed unless when they are in use. Suitable receptacles that are resistant to corrosive substances should be used when decanting any chemicals.
Tips in the Handling of Class 8 Chemical Corrosives
Keep in mind that corrosive chemicals are dangerous; they can easily cause injury that burn or destroy human tissue. It is therefore mandatory to handle containers and substances diligently and carefully.
-
-
- There is a need to periodically vent certain chemicals to reduce the build-up of pressure caused by vapours inside their vessels. This should be done periodically to prevent rupture. The corrosive chemical’s safety data sheet for an associated chemical should provide the information on how often you should carry out venting procedures.
- Make it a standard practice to store a volume of chemicals that you need. Never overstock on chemicals, as this practice will only increase the repercussions of an accident that might happen much worse.
- Ensure to have your personnel read and understand the information in safety data sheets for every chemical you have on site. The information they provide is something you may not find on the container label, and this also helps on how to safely arrange your storage system to reduce hazards.
- Prior to moving containers containing corrosive chemicals, ensure that their containers are not damaged in any way. Leaking, rusted, or degraded containers should be dealt with carefully and appropriately.
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be used when handling corrosive substances. Similarly, they should also be used when venting containers t be protected from fumes.
-
Disposal of Corrosive Chemicals
Waste corrosive substances, including their empty containers, should be handled safely and carefully. Even if these used chemicals appear clean, they may still be contaminated and could still cause adverse reactions.
Never pour corrosive chemicals down the sink or drain so as not to affect the environment. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s instructions noted in the MSDS on how to properly dispose of these chemicals in a safe and legal manner.
Find the Right Storage for Corrosive Chemicals
The protection of your establishment and your employees handling chemicals should never take a backseat when running your business.
At WSSA, we supply Corrosive | Chemical Storage Cabinets that are made in Australia, built for Australian conditions, and more importantly complies with national safety standards. Furthermore, we have a range of chemical storage cabinets your business needs every day. Get in touch with us today, and we will walk you through our range of safety products.