asecos Main catalogue - Working safely with hazardous substances

15 CAN DIFFERENT CHEMICALS BE STORED TOGETHER? Hazardous materials may only be stored together if there is no increase in the risks involved. This may possible, for example, because of the risk assessment or the limitation of quantities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance for segregation through HSG71 and offers very detailed guidance for the storage of chemical groups, see Table 1. The chemical groups are used to determine the possibilities for joint storage and this formal classification serves to control the joint storage of different hazardous materials. The table assists in defining where chemical groups: ››› May not require segregation (white) ››› Should be segregated (red) ››› Should be kept apart (black) ››› Should be isolated (red on white) The segregation of chemicals provides very distinct advantages to the user or provider of hazardous materials as it: ››› Allows clear definition of the materials present ››› Ensures more adequate management of chemicals at the site ››› Contributes towards positive management of storage and procurement ››› Prevents potential chemical reactions which could lead to accidents ››› Prevents exposure of staff to harmful substances ››› Puts you in control of all harmful substance Using HSG71 Table 2 as the guide, with the GHS symbols superimposed, it becomes clear that GHS symbols are not the best way to segregate substances. For example, the following chemicals: Flammable liquids, Flammable solids, Flammables dangerous when wet, Flammables spontaneously combustible; all share the same GHS symbol. However, they cannot be stored in the same cabinet at the same time. HSG71 should be used in conjunction with the safety data sheet (SDS), which clearly defines how compatible one substance is to another. For example, Section 10 of the SDS may advise that flammable liquids should not be stored with strong corrosives. The SDS also defines how to assess co-located storage. Flammable liquids may not be stored in safety storage cabinets together with hazardous materials that may lead to the occurrence of fires (e.g. pyrophoric materials). Due to the risk of corrosion, it is basically recommended not to store mineral acids and alkalis together in one safety storage cabinet, but in a separate acid or alkali cabinet respectively. Non-flammable toxic and highly toxic materials must be kept in a separate, locked chemical storage cabinet. PLEASE NOTE Please observe local legislation and regulations.

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