Why It's Important To Store Dangerous Goods Properly

When you’re handling dangerous goods, you must store these properly; they’re labeled as hazardous for a reason.

While accidents are often unavoidable, there are ways for you to minimize the risks of these accidents from happening. Regulatory requirements usually cover the proper handling and storage of the 9 classes of dangerous goods, and it’s a must that you follow them at all times.

That said, here are some of the reasons why it’s of paramount importance for you to store your dangerous goods properly:

1. You Can Avoid Contamination

When you’re storing dangerous goods in a warehouse or a laboratory, be sure that you abide by the proper storage instructions at all times. Some chemicals might react differently when placed next to each other. Or, when unsealed, it can lead to contamination, which can also be fatal.

For instance, when you leave these dangerous goods unsealed, you don’t know that the chemicals may have already reacted to the open air. Or, what microorganisms may have already gone inside. At the time you intend to use it in the workplace, it already ceases to be effective. Worse, it can even emit a chemical reaction that’s dangerous.

2. You Can Prevent Fires

Fires can happen because flammable chemicals or goods are mistakenly placed close to ignition sources. Fires in these situations aren't usually small. If you're lucky enough, no fatalities or human lives will get affected. But, if it happens during work hours, that’s a lot of lives that are potentially put to danger

When these kinds of fires happen, it usually creates explosives that are difficult to control and manage. Apart from the physical damage, the smoke from the chemicals can also affect the surrounding atmosphere, which can even damage the neighborhood community.

In whatever you do in business, always remember your corporate social responsibility.

3. You Can Avoid Confusion Or Mistakes In The Workplace

A simple mistake or lapse in the labeling can provide different dangerous outcomes.

To avoid confusion or mistakes in the workplace, along with proper storage, also comes in proper labeling. As much as you can, correctly label all chemicals and dangerous goods. To go the extra safety mile a little bit, you can also stick photos. This makes it easier for everyone in the workplace to identify and to properly store the dangerous goods in their proper place.

4. You Can Avoid Chemical Wastage

Proper storage of dangerous or hazardous goods and materials doesn’t only affect the health and safety of those surrounding the laboratories. It also has to do with your efficiency as a company, whether you’re in a permanent business, such as the creation of batteries, or on more temporary ones, such as mining, and whatnot.

No company or warehouse should have a lab full of hazardous waste, as the danger is greater. You have to comply with the proper standards or limits set by law. But, it can be tough to monitor this if there isn't a proper system in place. Proper storage can help you quickly determine what chemicals are almost expiring or needs to be replaced. Hence, you’re more efficient with your inventory system in the company. Else, you might be using a chemical that has long gone beyond its shelf life.

5. You Are In Compliance With The Law

This last section is one of the most important reasons why you should practice proper storage and handling of dangerous goods. You need to comply with what the laws have set out for businesses that have hazardous goods on their premises.

Else, you’re only going to fall into serious trouble with the law. Because the consequences of mishandling are grave, various laws of states and nations globally also have severe fines and penalties for any incompliance. This is to encourage all businesses and laboratories to conform to the standards set by the law.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an employee or an employer, the responsibility is the same: you both have to abide by the rules on proper safety and storage of dangerous goods. Dangerous accidents, which can also be potentially fatal, happen simply because of your negligence.

Even more so, you might get into trouble with the law. Hence, despite the added work that it might entail for you to perform, it’s best to be on the safe side and just to practice proper safety hazards.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.