56
3 The Durable Management of Chemicals in the Food Industry …
3.9 Storage and Compatibility of Chemical Products
Some products may react violently with each other, so they should not be stored
in the same place (Fig. 3.4). Basically, this precaution is well known in chemical laboratories, but food-related environments are likely ‘crowded’ enough when
speaking of food operators and stored (or moving…) commodities. Consequently,
this recommendation should be repeated ad libitum…
When a product has more than one of risk classes previously defined, hazardous
products have to be stored carefully (Ross and Godin 2016). The best strategy is
the separation of incompatible products in order to limit the impact of an accidental
spill and to reduce the risk of fires or violent reactions. A malfunction among these
incompatible chemicals can cause them to come into contact. They can react with
each other, sometimes causing explosions, fires, spatter, or dangerous gas emissions.
Therefore, incompatible products should never be stored side by side but should be
physically separated (Fig. 3.4). An example of avoidable accidents is the ‘normal’
reaction between an acid (citric acid…) and an alkali agent (sodium hydroxide) into
storage areas because of sudden reaction (the real cause is generally the excessive
closeness!).
Incompatibilities between chemicals have to be identified! Generally, safety data
sheets accompanying any dangerous chemical are used for this preliminary evaluation
(searching for specific incompatibilities to the product or chemical family). For more
security, the storage room should meet the following criteria (ILO 1993):
Oxidising
Toxic
Corrosives
Corrosives
Oxidising
Corrosives
Could be stored together
ON CONDITION THAT
Several dispositions are implemented
(example: small amounts…)
Fig. 3.4 Incompatibility of chemicals. Three examples can be displayed here showing that certain
chemicals must be physically separated when speaking of storage, or they must not be stored together
unless certain special provisions are applied (e.g., small quantities)
3 The Durable Management of Chemicals in the Food Industry …
3.9 Storage and Compatibility of Chemical Products
Some products may react violently with each other, so they should not be stored
in the same place (Fig. 3.4). Basically, this precaution is well known in chemical laboratories, but food-related environments are likely ‘crowded’ enough when
speaking of food operators and stored (or moving…) commodities. Consequently,
this recommendation should be repeated ad libitum…
When a product has more than one of risk classes previously defined, hazardous
products have to be stored carefully (Ross and Godin 2016). The best strategy is
the separation of incompatible products in order to limit the impact of an accidental
spill and to reduce the risk of fires or violent reactions. A malfunction among these
incompatible chemicals can cause them to come into contact. They can react with
each other, sometimes causing explosions, fires, spatter, or dangerous gas emissions.
Therefore, incompatible products should never be stored side by side but should be
physically separated (Fig. 3.4). An example of avoidable accidents is the ‘normal’
reaction between an acid (citric acid…) and an alkali agent (sodium hydroxide) into
storage areas because of sudden reaction (the real cause is generally the excessive
closeness!).
Incompatibilities between chemicals have to be identified! Generally, safety data
sheets accompanying any dangerous chemical are used for this preliminary evaluation
(searching for specific incompatibilities to the product or chemical family). For more
security, the storage room should meet the following criteria (ILO 1993):
Oxidising
Toxic
Corrosives
Corrosives
Oxidising
Corrosives
Could be stored together
ON CONDITION THAT
Several dispositions are implemented
(example: small amounts…)
Fig. 3.4 Incompatibility of chemicals. Three examples can be displayed here showing that certain
chemicals must be physically separated when speaking of storage, or they must not be stored together
unless certain special provisions are applied (e.g., small quantities)