EH-91-2 Safe Chemical Storage
                        ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH

                                   BULLETIN

Assistant Secretary for                              U.S. Department of Energy
Environment, Safety & Health                         Washington, D.C. 20585

DOE/EH-0168                     Issue No. 91-2                   February 1991

SAFE CHEMICAL STORAGE

BACKGROUND

Fire and explosion are only two of the many hazards that may result from
improper storage of chemicals.  Over 500 chemical-storage incidents were
reported at DOE facilities over the past 5 years.  These incidents occurred
due to unsafe chemical storage practices.  A review and analysis of the
storage-related incidents identified the following principal causes:

1. Improper or non-existent labeling of chemicals in storage.

2. Storage of chemicals beyond the recommended shelf-life.

3. Degradation of chemical storage containers. (See Safety Note, "Polyethylene
   Bottles Containing Corrosive Chemicals May Deteriorate With Prolonged Use,"
   Issue No. 89-1, DOE/EH-0094, August 1989).

The following incidents illustrate the first two types of poor storage
practices.

IMPROPER LABELING

Small amounts of "left-over" chemicals had accumulated over several years in
the laboratory of a DOE facility.  The chemicals were prepared for recycling
or disposal by removing the chemicals from their individual containers and
putting them into a plastic bucket.  Powder that was thought to be a base
material was poured from an unlabeled jar into the bucket, resulting in
spontaneous ignition. The building then had to be evacuated, and the fire
department was summoned to put out the fire.  Analysis performed by the
laboratory later revealed that the powder was maleic anhydride, not the less
reactive base it was assumed to be.  Proper labeling of the chemical would
likely have prevented the incident.

EXTENDED TIME IN STORAGE

During a site-wide Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) label
audit by the Health Protection Department at another DOE facility, industrial
hygienists found a total of 21 containers of ether which had been stored for
over 2 years.  Eighteen containers were found in one lab, and the remaining
three were distributed across the site.  Unrefrigerated ether cannot be stored
safely for over 6 months because peroxides, which are shock-sensitive, can
form and cause an explosion.  The building that housed the 18 ether containers
had to be evacuated, and barricades had to be assembled to protect flammable
inventory.  The peroxides were then neutralized with ferrous sulphate, and all
21 containers were removed.  Periodic inspection and removal of outdated
chemicals in storage would have prevented the incident.

APPLICABLE REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES

All work environments involving hazardous chemicals are regulated by OSHA via
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 29, Parts 1910 and 1926.  DOE also
voluntarily complies with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
guidelines on storage, labeling, and handling of chemicals.  These are NFPA
Vol. 2, Title 45, "Standards on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using
Chemicals," Chapter 7, Part 7-2, and Chapter 10, Part 10-3; and NFPA Vol. 9,
Title 49, "Hazardous Chemicals Data."  Other guides for safely storing
chemicals include the following:

1. Improving Safety in the Chemical Laboratory: A Practical Guide, ed. Jay A.
   Young, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1987.

2. Safe Storage of Laboratory Chemicals, ed. David A. Pipitone,
   Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1984.

3. Safety and Accident Prevention in Chemical Operations, Howard H. Fawcett
   and William S. Wood, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1982.

4. Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Vol. 2, ed. Norman Steere, American
   Chemical Society, Pennsylvania, 1971.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To maintain a safe and healthful working environment, the following practices
should be followed wherever chemicals are stored.  These practices are based
on regulations, rules, and guidelines designed to reduce or eliminate
hazardous incidents associated with the improper storage of chemicals.

1. Adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations for each chemical stored,
   noting any precautions on the label.  NFPA 704 describes a diamond-shaped
   diagram to be used for identifying the health, flammability, and reactivity
   (instability) hazards of chemicals.  These precautions also should be
   evident on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

2. Label all chemicals.  Refer to CFR, Title 29, Part 1910, Section 1200,
   Subsection 6, Items (f), (g), and (h).  The name and address of the
   manufacturer or other responsible party must be listed on the label.  Also
   see NFPA 45, Chapter 10.  Chemicals with a shelf life should be labeled
   with the date received.

3. Store chemicals in the locations recommended (i.e., where the temperature
   range, vibration, or the amount of light does not exceed the manufacturer's
   recommendations).  Make sure that chemicals that are stored together are
   compatible.  NFPA 45, Chapter 7-2.3, defines storage container types and
   capacities, and NFPA 30 defines standards for the storage of flammable and
   combustible materials.

4. Inspect annually all chemicals in stock and storage.  Hazardous chemicals
   should be inspected every 6 months.  Some hazardous chemicals may require
   more frequent inspections.  Any outdated materials should be properly
   disposed of or replaced if necessary.

5. Ensure that provisions are made for liaison with local planning committees,
   the State emergency planning commission, and local fire departments in the
   event of a chemical emergency.

6. Keep only enough inventory necessary for uninterrupted operation.  Chemical
   inventory should be maintained at a minimum to reduce fire, exposure, and
   disposal hazards.

7. Rotate new shipments of chemicals with existing stock so that the oldest
   stock is available first.



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This Safety Bulletin is one in a series of publications issued by EH to share
occupational safety and health information throughout the DOE complex.  For
more information, contact Eleanor Crampton, Performance Assessment Division,
Office of Environment, Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Energy,
Washington, DC 20545; Telephone FTS 233-3732, Commercial 301- 353-3732.
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U.S. G.P.C. 1991-281-714:40054
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