An Overview of Hazardous Chemicals
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An Overview of Hazardous Chemicals
Introduction
Handling hazardous chemicals requires careful planning and adherence to regulations to ensure safety for people, property, and the environment. This guide outlines key considerations for managing these materials, including obtaining necessary permits and implementing safety controls.
Regulatory Compliance
Before acquiring hazardous materials such as toxic gases, explosives, water-reactive, or pyrophoric substances, ensure all permits and safety measures are in place. Compliance with regulations, such as the Uniform Fire Code, is essential for safe storage and use.
Permits and Storage Requirements
Permits are mandatory for any quantity of highly hazardous materials and moderate amounts of other substances. For instance, any amount of highly toxic material or over five gallons of flammable liquids in a building requires a permit. Contact the Fire Department or the EH&S Facility Safety office at 206.543.0465 for guidance.
Rooms storing hazardous materials beyond certain thresholds must display a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond sign on doors. Contact the EH&S Facility Safety office at 543-0465 for assistance.
Specific Material Guidelines
- Flammable Liquids: Laboratories should not store more than 10 gallons of flammable liquids outside an approved cabinet. All 10 gallons must be secured in proper containers when not in use.
- Peroxide Forming Chemicals: Organic compounds capable of forming peroxides can lead to serious incidents. Peroxides can act as low-power explosives triggered by shock or sparks. Regularly mark and check expiration dates on containers, and dispose of them accordingly. Ether is one example.
- Pyrophoric Materials: These materials ignite spontaneously in air and are only allowed in fire sprinkler protected labs in small quantities (4 pounds per zone). Potassium metal is a typical example, requiring extreme caution during handling.
- Highly Toxic Materials: Permitted in small amounts in university buildings (up to 10 pounds per zone). Highly toxic gases like Arsine need engineering controls and a special permit from the Seattle Fire Department, regardless of quantity.
- Incompatible Materials: Materials that react dangerously when combined must be stored separately. For more than 5 pounds or 1/2 gallon, maintain a distance of at least 20 feet, or use approved cabinets or noncombustible partitions. Even smaller quantities should be isolated when possible. A common mistake is storing flammable liquids with oxidizers.
Storage Restrictions: Flammable Liquids and Basements
The International Fire Code generally prohibits flammable liquids storage in basements. Exceptions include:
- Existing grandfathered Class H Occupancy rooms for bulk storage of flammable liquids.
- New Class H occupancy rooms are not permitted in basements.
Disposal and Waste Management
Waste may take two to four weeks to be collected. Plan accordingly and ensure waste is tracked from generation to disposal. Chemicals classified as corrosive, flammable, toxic, or explosive are legally deemed hazardous. Additional substances may also be treated as hazardous waste if they're carcinogenic, persistent, or restricted from regular trash disposal.
Improperly accumulated waste will not be collected until corrected. Routine collection requests typically experience faster processing due to pre-prepared paperwork.
Safety Training
New employees or those needing a refresher should undertake safety training covering waste management basics, labeling, storage, and disposal. This training includes a short quiz and takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Successful participants can obtain a certificate for their records, applicable at any job.
By following these guidelines and utilizing available resources, you can ensure the safe and responsible handling of hazardous chemicals.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: An Overview of Hazardous Chemicals.
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