Guideline: How To Have Safe Chemical Storage Along The Supply Chain

There has been an increase in the number of incidents involving chemical products throughout the years and this factor has made it very important to know how to handle and transport chemical products. International commercial exchanges and receiving merchandise from abroad has also prodded service providers to be familiar with the safety measures that have to be in place when dealing with chemical products. This is also mandatory even with small companies that have no plans of exporting products – there still needs to be responses and structures implemented in order to avoid or minimize the risks of accidents.

There are several factors to keep in mind when handling, storing or transporting chemical products. Here are five tips that can get you started down the right direction:

Types of chemicals

The first and most important step to take is to create different classes for your products. Dangerous goods are divided into the following nine classes:

  • Flammable liquids
  • Gases
  • Explosives
  • Radioactive substances
  • Miscellaneous
  • Flammable solids
  • Oxidizing agents
  • Organic peroxides
  • Corrosive substances

For example, an explosive product should not be placed near a flammable solid because should the two chemicals come into contact, it would result in a highly dangerous reaction. It is very crucial that you take note of such specifications when organizing your stocks in the warehouse. Organizing your storage by chemical class will also assist you to quickly get your bearings around your stock and your facility as you will know where each type of products is stored.

Storing requirements

Not all products are able to be stored in the same conditions. You find that some products have to be stored at a low temperature; some in a ventilated place, a dry container or away from combustible material; while some need to be kept wet. For your employees to work in good and safe conditions, all these requirements have to be fulfilled. A lot of times a guideline that states the risks and safety measures related to the use and the handling of a given chemical is found on its label. Make it a point to be aware of this label’s instructions and information before storing the product.

Labels

Another way to keep your chemical storage safe along the supply chain is to label every single product properly. Ensure that each label contains relevant information such as the chemical name; the risks and safety measures; and the manufacturer’s name and contact details. You need to constantly check as well that the labels are still updated and clear.

Inventory

After taking the above steps, you will then be able to now start storing these products. Keeping a clear inventory of these goods in your warehouse will help maximize your performance. It will enable you to save time when looking for certain chemicals and allow you to keep track of the inputs and outputs – a step that will assist you in managing your products much easier.

Safety measures

Lastly, confirm that you and your employees know the facility’s safety measures properly and are clear on what steps to take in case of an emergency. These rules and guidelines need to be reiterated constantly until everybody knows the fine details perfectly. As an employer or manager, you also need to provide personal protective equipment that will help your employees work and handle the chemicals safety.

The above-mentioned tips are a guideline in terms of what companies should be aware of when dealing with chemicals. They do not however, replace an expert assessment and warehouses that do not meet the requirements listed should hire the services of a specialized company.

Now that you know how to handle chemical storages safely, find out about the Challenges With Cold Storage Warehouse Management!

Source: allthingssupplychain