Almost all businesses handle some sort of dangerous or hazardous goods. But many of them underestimate the potential threats these pose and the cautionary practices they should use to minimize any possible danger. Simple things such as using proper aerosol can storage arrangements and taking care with other seemingly innocuous things around the home and workplace including cleaning products medicines and batteries that are often stored inappropriately is important.
The failure of many people to use and store dangerous goods properly can have serious ramifications and leave business owners open to litigation and even criminal liabilities in the case of accidents or injury.
Workplaces that use any type of aerosol can need to conduct safety and awareness programs to ensure all employees are aware of the dangers of using aerosol cans near heat sources such as stoves and ovens in kitchens, welding and grinding machinery in workshops, heavy machinery in manufacturing and sunlight in outdoor workplaces, as well as on the farm, mining operations or earthworks where lubricants and paints in aerosol cans are often used.
- Explosives
Need to be kept in sheet metal containers of at least 1.1mm thickness that are lined with wood, have a close fitting lid with strong hinges, locks and lifting handles
- Gases
Gasses should where possible be stored outside in a noncombustible container with outward opening doors, if inside with adequate natural ventilation
The gas bottles must be protected with restraining bars and chains to prevent them from falling over
- Flammable Liquids
Must be stored in double walled metal cabinets (40mm gap), have self closing doors, with the inner base forming a 150mm deep containment sump. Cabinets with more than a 250lit capacity need a sump to hold 25% of the total capacity.
A natural ventilation system and signs to want of dangers and risks
- Flammable Solids
Must be stored in similar metal cabinets to flammable liquids with doors that can release if the internal pressures build up and fitted with a containment sump large enough to contain the contents of the largest packets stored inside
- Oxidising Agents
Must be kept in similar metal cabinets to flammable liquids
- Organic Peroxides
Must be kept in similar cabinets to the above
- Toxic Substances
Must be kept in similar cabinets to the above
- Corrosive Substances
Must be kept in a cabinet that is capable of withstanding the corrosive effect of the substance they contain, have self closing outward closing doors and have a sump capable of holding 25% of the capacity of the cabinet
Hazardous or flammable substances contained in aerosol cans need storage in proper fire resistant cabinets that contain suitable drip trays or containment sumps and should be in a room or storage area that is rated for fire resistance. The area needs to have adequate natural ventilation and be well away from any type of ignition source. Danger and no smoking signs must be displayed in conspicuous places around any areas dedicated for aerosol can storage.