3.9 Storage and Compatibility of Chemical Products
57
(1) It can be locked
(2) The ventilation must be adapted depending on circumstances.
Some recommendations can be displayed here:
(1) High and low natural ventilation is sufficient if needed.
(2) The room must be flameproof and have mechanical ventilation if one or more of
stored chemicals belong to old E, F
+ , or O categories. However, if the quantities
are low, products may be stored in dedicated cupboards. Anyway, holding tanks
have to be available and ventilated.
(3) Liquid products must be placed on a holding tank with volumetric capacity
corresponding to at least stored volumes.
(4) A fire extinguisher must be located near the room as well as a water point.
Shelves must be metallic. Absorbent materials must be present in the room. In
addition, smoking will not be allowed in the room.
Moreover:
(1) Storage must separate chemical bottles from other utensils: rags, brushes,
sponges, etc.
(2) A periodical removal of expired products, unused or no-longer-needed chemicals, containers without label (or damaged/unreadable labels), containers of
residues and hazardous waste accumulated over time.
An important recommendation concerns phytosanitary products. These substances must be stored separately from other products in a specific and ventilated
room and be kept in their original packaging until they are used (packaging used
for handling purposes must have the same guarantees as original packaging). In this
room, utensils reserved for the use of products have to be always available.
3.10 Chemical Safety
First of all, it should be noted that there is no harmless chemical. The nuisance
potential of a chemical is a function of the type of risk presented by it (health,
environment, safety), and it depends on stored and used quantities, frequency of use,
etc. As a result, staff exposed to this risk factor must benefit from special medical
supervision and appropriate training.
Chemical safety is based on two essential principles (ILO 1993; OSHA 2016; UN
2019):
(1) Limitation of exposure to harmful chemicals for employees and the environment
using appropriate equipment and methods
(2) Knowledge of actions, containment measures, and best protection practices
during accidental exposition to these chemicals.
57
(1) It can be locked
(2) The ventilation must be adapted depending on circumstances.
Some recommendations can be displayed here:
(1) High and low natural ventilation is sufficient if needed.
(2) The room must be flameproof and have mechanical ventilation if one or more of
stored chemicals belong to old E, F
+ , or O categories. However, if the quantities
are low, products may be stored in dedicated cupboards. Anyway, holding tanks
have to be available and ventilated.
(3) Liquid products must be placed on a holding tank with volumetric capacity
corresponding to at least stored volumes.
(4) A fire extinguisher must be located near the room as well as a water point.
Shelves must be metallic. Absorbent materials must be present in the room. In
addition, smoking will not be allowed in the room.
Moreover:
(1) Storage must separate chemical bottles from other utensils: rags, brushes,
sponges, etc.
(2) A periodical removal of expired products, unused or no-longer-needed chemicals, containers without label (or damaged/unreadable labels), containers of
residues and hazardous waste accumulated over time.
An important recommendation concerns phytosanitary products. These substances must be stored separately from other products in a specific and ventilated
room and be kept in their original packaging until they are used (packaging used
for handling purposes must have the same guarantees as original packaging). In this
room, utensils reserved for the use of products have to be always available.
3.10 Chemical Safety
First of all, it should be noted that there is no harmless chemical. The nuisance
potential of a chemical is a function of the type of risk presented by it (health,
environment, safety), and it depends on stored and used quantities, frequency of use,
etc. As a result, staff exposed to this risk factor must benefit from special medical
supervision and appropriate training.
Chemical safety is based on two essential principles (ILO 1993; OSHA 2016; UN
2019):
(1) Limitation of exposure to harmful chemicals for employees and the environment
using appropriate equipment and methods
(2) Knowledge of actions, containment measures, and best protection practices
during accidental exposition to these chemicals.