Do you need to learn the proper way of storing and transporting chemicals?
Hazmat safety is a key step to ensure everything you do involving dangerous chemicals won’t result in a disaster.
In the guide below, we’ll discuss the steps you need to take if you plan to store or transport such chemicals.
What You Should Know About Hazardous Materials
Before we discuss chemical storage and transportation, here are some things to know. A substance is hazardous if it is one or more of the following:
- Flammable
- Corrosive
- Toxic
- Reactive
There are also various classifications of dangerous chemicals. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) categorizes them into 9 classes. We’re listing each class in order:
- Explosives
- Gases
- Liquid flammables
- Solid flammables
- Oxidizing substances
- Poisonous & infectious substances
- Radioactive materials
- Corrosive substances
- Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Those who handle these materials must have the proper training to handle these materials. Also, provide the proper protective gear and equipment.
Storing Chemicals
Consider chemical safety when designing the storage area for these chemicals. Make sure the location and the installation systems are safe. Separate incompatible substances to prevent them from interacting.
Place the proper labels and safety signage on the storage tanks and in the area. Create a spill containment plan and prepare cleanup systems. Always keep fire-fighting equipment in areas that are easy to access.
Always protect and maintain your storage tanks, and line them with high-performance coating. If an incident occurs, have an emergency plan to handle it.
For example, the recent chemical plant incident in Belle handled the massive explosion efficiently. It had minimal casualties and damage to the community and environment.
Transporting Chemicals
A key step in transporting chemicals is federal, state, and local regulatory compliance. Some international regulations also govern chemical transport via road, rail, sea, and air. Before transporting chemicals, understand and follow these regulations.
Transporting these dangerous goods places the risk on the driver and those on the road. It’s why the regulations concerning hazardous chemical transportation are so strict. You can minimize it by applying safety measures during chemical transportation.
Place the hazardous materials within the transport vehicle’s trunk or cargo bed. If they’re in the latter, secure and protect them from the weather. If you’re moving more than one type of chemical, keep the incompatible chemicals far from each other.
Label all the chemical containers, especially the most dangerous chemicals. If you’re transporting gas cylinders, screw the valve covers well. For cryogen transportation, use only approved storage vehicles.
Before the transport, minimize the travel time and distance of the transporter. Plan the route and destinations. Also, ensure that the driver has a copy of the material safety data sheet.
Practice Safe and Proper Handling of Hazardous Chemicals
These are the steps in storing and transporting chemicals. We hope you found this short guide on chemical storage and transportation informative.
If you want to read more about the ways of handling and managing dangerous goods, see our other guides now.
