CHEMICAL STORAGE AND HANDLING

 

Regulations contain specific handling and storage requirements for chemicals depending upon their hazards.

 

Click on any of the following links for detailed information.

 

·       CONTAINERS

·       STORAGE PRACTICES

·       EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

·       COMPRESSED GASES

·       FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

Ø    Procedures

Ø    Cleaning

Ø    Contaminated clothing and skin

·       TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS

 

CONTAINERS

The employer must ensure that harmful substances or their containers are clearly identified. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 27)

 

STORAGE PRACTICES

The employer must ensure that harmful substances are stored in such a way that the storage is not a hazard to workers. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 27)

 

EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SHOWERS

The employer must provide emergency baths, showers, eyewash equipment appropriate for the potential level of exposure in a work site where chemicals harmful to the skin or eyes are used.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 24)

 

COMPRESSED GASES

The employer must ensure that compressed or liquified gas containers are used, stored and transported in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, cylinders are secured and cannot fall or roll, cylinders and fittings are protected from damage during handling, filling, transportation and storage, cylinders are equipped with a valve protection cap and oxygen cylinders are kept free of oil and grease.

 

The employer must ensure that cylinders are not exposed to heat sources that may result in the failure or explosion of the contents or exceed the maximum exposure temperatures specified by the manufacturer.

 

The employer must ensure that on each hose of an oxygen-fuel system, a flashback device is installed at the regulator end and a back-flow prevention device is installed at either the torch end or regulator end. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 171)

 

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

A person must not enter or work at a work area if more than 20 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) is present, except a competent worker to respond to an emergency.

 

A person must not smoke or use an open flame in a work area where a flammable substance is stored, handled or processed. A person must not use a flammable or combustible liquid at a temperature at or above its flash point in an open vessel if a potential source of ignition is in the immediate vicinity.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 162)

 

Procedures

The employer must develop procedures and precautionary measures to prevent flammable substances from igniting unintentionally.

 

The employer must ensure that the quantity and application of the flammable substance will not be sufficient to produce an explosive atmosphere, flammable substances are not stored in the immediate vicinity of a ventilation system or the fire box of a furnace, portable quantities are stored only in containers approved to CSA standard B376-M1980 Portable Containers for Gasoline and Other Petroleum Fuels  and contaminated rags used to wipe up flammable liquids are stored in a covered container with a label that clearly indicates it is to be used for the storage of contaminated rags. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 163)

 

Cleaning

A person must not use a flammable or combustible liquid at a temperature above its flash point in a cleaning operation unless the cleaning equipment is specifically designed for the use of the liquid. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 162)

 

Contaminated clothing and skin

 If a worker’s clothing is contaminated with a flammable or combustible liquid, the worker must avoid any activity where a spark may be created, remove the clothing at the earliest possible time and ensure the clothing is decontaminated before it is used again.

 

If a worker’s skin is contaminated with a flammable or combustible liquid, the worker must wash the skin at the earliest possible time. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 164)

 

 

TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS (TDG)

Employees who ship or receive dangerous goods, or directly supervise a person who ships or receives dangerous goods must have a TDG training certificate and must show it to an inspector immediately on request. (Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation, 6.8)

 

For more information about transporting dangerous goods, refer to the waste management section.

 

 

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