Article Index:
Introduction
This blog post provides a simplified guide to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document titled 'Storing Chemical SR24 Products (small scale)'. The original document offers comprehensive information on how employers, self-employed individuals, and franchisees can comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) to protect workers' health.
Key Guidelines for Safe Storage of Chemicals
- Ensure that only trained workers have access to stored chemical products. The storage area should be kept locked.
- Provide good washing facilities.
- Maintain good ventilation in the storage area, with 5-10 air changes per hour and a through draught.
- Keep a spill clean-up kit nearby.
- Segregate chemicals that might react together and contain spills from burst containers.
- Never decant concentrate into an unlabelled container. Never re-use a concentrate container. Dispose of it safely or return it to the supplier.
- Don’t store more than 50 litres of flammable liquid indoors. Use a flammables store.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Follow the instructions on product labels.
- You may need respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in case of a spill. Seek advice from your RPE supplier.
- Provide protective gloves. Single-use nitrile gloves are acceptable. If you must use latex gloves, use only ‘low-protein, powder-free’ gloves.
- Discard single-use gloves every time they are taken off.
Procedures
- Store products containing chemicals securely in a cool, dry, dark place, capable of keeping in spills. Don’t store far more than you need.
- Store containers so their labels face forwards.
- Store heavier items and corrosive chemicals on lower shelves.
- Ensure that containers are easy to pour from, don’t dribble, and don’t trap liquid in a rim.
Cleaning and Housekeeping
- Keep the storage area clean and well organised.
- Clear up spills immediately. Absorb liquids in granules. Scoop solids or absorbed liquids into a marked secure container.
- Dispose of hazardous waste through a specialist contractor.
Training and Supervision
- Tell workers about the risks of using the product.
- If products can cause skin or eye damage, plan how to give first aid.
- Train and supervise workers to work in the right way and use the controls correctly for exposure control.
Conclusion
This blog post is a simplified guide to the HSE document 'Storing Chemical SR24 Products (small scale)'. The document provides guidelines for safe storage and handling of chemicals to comply with COSHH regulations. By following these guidelines, employers and self-employed individuals can ensure a safe working environment and limit exposure to hazardous substances.
