Why is it important to store chemicals correctly?
If history has taught us anything, it is that chemicals can have disastrous effects when stored or mismanaged.
If history has taught us anything, it is that chemicals can have disastrous effects when stored or mismanaged. From personal safety to long-term damage to ecosystems, chemical workers need to understand the importance of proper storage of chemicals. Continue to read to understand the importance of proper storage of chemicals.
Product life
Proper storage of chemicals means that the product is properly preserved. Although the shelf life of many chemicals is often long, deteriorating chemicals can lead to unnecessary environmental waste, reduce the effectiveness of chemicals that affect their quality, and may lead to the manufacture of unsafe products and huge economic losses. Think about the food at home, and chemicals are no exception, which can lead to serious health and safety problems if they are not stored properly.
Safety
Chemicals pose great risks to the safety of the people they work with and those around them, and the storage of chemicals is also important. What is often overlooked are the types of direct and indirect risks that affect people's health. Exposure to chemicals can lead to short-and long-term health problems, from burns to lifelong breathing problems and other physical reactions that can be minor or even fatal.
Environment
Despite our rules and regulations on the way chemicals are stored, accidents still occur. Pollution usually occurs when chemicals enter the environment. Once the chemical has been exposed to the environment, it becomes very difficult to remove the substance. The most common example is that the soil is contaminated, and over time, the soil is mixed with drinking water for humans, animals and plants.
The importance of correct storage and products
Awareness of the potential hazards of chemicals ultimately means that the absolute best preventive measure is the storage of chemicals. Here are a few reasons why proper storage is critical.
â— Prevent overflow.
â— Avoid deterioration.
â— Separate incompatible substances and avoid chemical reactions, that is, fires, explosions, toxic gases.
â— Prevent pollution.
â— Prevent exposure to toxic substances.
â— Protect individuals.
The importance of correct storage lies in human intervention, and some important matters need to be considered when storing harmful substances:
â— Make sure the correct signage is displayed.
â— Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
â— Facilities comply with specifications, such as well-designed shelves, emergency cleaning stations, prevention of unauthorized access to chemicals.
â— Cleaning, spill kits and fire fighting equipment are easy to use.
â— Personnel are trained in emergency procedures.
â— The right tank is used for the right substance, that is, certain chemicals will corrode certain materials.
With improvements in chemical storage technology and research, the materials used become not only more reliable and durable, but also more environmentally friendly, and companies like RUNTO are making world-class fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks and putting ecosystems at the forefront of innovation.
Chemicals are not necessarily dangerous, it is mishandling that makes them dangerous, and knowing the procedures and benefits of proper storage can easily minimize damage and allow individuals and organizations to devote more time to their operations.
Seek advice on how to properly store chemicals? Contact the RUNTO team to learn what you can do today to create a better storage facility for your chemicals.