Products with hazardous substances and properties: how to store them safely?

Storing hazardous products requires your attention: a safe storage location and correct storage method are crucial to avoid serious consequences. Sometimes products are less dangerous on their own, but when combined with other materials, they present a greater risk. In this article you can read about the hazardous properties of different products and how to reduce risks safely.

Dangerous substances

By hazardous substances we mean all substances that are harmful to people, animals, materials and the environment. The reactions can be both chemical and physical. Examples are: explosions, ignitions, poisoning, radioactivity or rust formation. A good storage location must take into account that some substances must be stored apart from each other at all times. Tip: it is also necessary to take into account the legal provisions for maximum storage of goods. 

Below you will find the identification labels and the degree of danger in a row:

• T+-: very toxic
• T-: toxic
• E: explosive
• O: flammable
• R14, R15, 29: dangerous in contact with water
• F+-: highly flammable
• F-: Highly flammable
• C-: corrosive
• N-: dangerous for the environment
• Xi: irritating
• Xn: harmful

Check all products against these labels and make sure that in combination with other products they do not pose a hazard. Consult the table below to find out whether certain products can be stored in the same room.

Hazardous substances	Flammable or highly inflammable	Flammable	Toxic/Very toxic	Irritating/Harmful
Flammable or highly inflammable	+	-	-	+
Flammable	-	+	-	0
Toxic/Very toxic	-	-	+	+
Irritating/Harmful	+	0	+	+

_{-: do not store these products together
+: these products are stored together safely
0: these products are safe to store together when the conditions are met}

Packaging

Besides the storage location and the risk of storing certain materials in one room, the quality of the packaging and containers is very important. Sometimes materials are sensitive to cold, moisture or heat: it is therefore important to regularly check the conditions in a warehouse or distribution centre. Guidelines have been drawn up by the RIVM with regard to the packaging of dangerous substances.

Safety first

When storing and packaging hazardous substances and products, a safe working environment is of great importance: that is why it is compulsory to have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home. This goes beyond your home, as heat, smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors are also compulsory in workshops and storage areas. Here you will find Kramp's latest comprehensive range of detectors and fire extinguishers.

Suitable equipment and a suitable working environment are also essential. Chemical-resistant gloves, safety shoes and other personal protective equipment are compulsory for your employees. Make sure the area is equipped with drip trays, ventilation, safety pictograms and other safety equipment.

Limited Quantities or LQ’s – 

Limited quantity refers to any hazardous goods shipped in small containers and packed in boxes. Transporting dangerous materials in smaller quantities generally means less risk. While there's a chance regular dangerous goods labels won't be necessary, the goods still need to be identified with a limited quantity label. 

For road (ADR) transport, all packaging group 1 dangerous goods are forbidden. Smaller quantities of packaging groups 2 and 3 substances can be transported as LQ. 

  

Labelling 

When it comes to transporting dangerous goods, there are several ADR regulations and signs that drivers need to take into consideration. One of the most frequently used signs is the limited quantity label. 

As well as the requirements specific to their transportation, suppliers of dangerous goods are required by law to label their hazardous products and packaged chemicals with hazard symbols, warnings, and safety advice. A range of internationally recognized symbols has been developed so that people handling the goods know the nature of the hazard present. Suppliers must provide material safety data sheets for dangerous products used in the workplace. 

  

Transportation 

Packaging (other than for limited and excepted quantities) has to be designed and constructed to UN specification standards and must pass practical transport related tests such as being dropped, held in a stack, and subjected to pressure demands. It must also meet the needs of the substance it is to contain. Packaging’s must be certified by a national competent authority. UN approved packaging is marked with the prefix ‘UN’ and followed by codes that are listed in the relevant regulations relating to the national and international carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, air and sea. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) Dangerous Goods Office has responsibility for the certification of dangerous goods packaging within the UK. 

  

Damaged containers and packaging 

ADR SHOULD not BE TRANSPORTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES if the integrity of the packaging or the actual item has been compromised. E.G., if Kramp send a tin of paint that is in perfect condition, and it arrives at the customer damaged, the customer SHOULD NOT return the damaged item back to Kramp. 

Any other questions?

Would you like to know more about the risks of different products? Please contact a Kramp product specialist or contact us at knowledgecenter@kramp.com.