The transportation and storage of bulk chemicals require a specific methodology for handling as regulated by varied authoritative agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA and OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These mean ensuring optimum safety for the environment, the employees, plus neighboring communities.
There are specific companies like STT systems entrusted with bulk chemical responsibilities. Many industries, including the agricultural sector, take advantage of those services to ensure they remain in compliance with the rules.
That’s specifically regarding receipt and storage of the many hazardous materials incorporated into their daily schedules. Let’s check out a few tips on how industries can keep themselves in compliance.
Tips On Transportation & Storage Of Bulk Chemicals
The chemical industry is seeing incredible growth in worldwide sales, with projections for that to increase steadily. That means there will be a significant need for these materials to reach their destinations safely and in a compliant manner.
Guidelines stipulate the mode of transportation and ultimate storage location needs to be sufficient to ensure the hazardous material is secure to avoid danger to the environment, neighboring communities, and employees who will be in contact with the substances.
Go here for guidance on storing chemical compounds. Some tips for assuring compliance include:
● The chemical materials need identifying
It may seem like an easy step, but it can prove to be challenging. OSHA guidelines stipulate that harmful chemical substances are anything with the capacity to cause a safety issue to physical well-being. That can include a peril like a fire or, worse, an explosion. Also, some can create a health hazard like a burn to the skin or irritant, perhaps a cancer-causing agent, or another type of disease.
There are many possibilities with the indication that the EPA and the DOT (U.S.) have lists upon lists, as does each state. Ideally, you will work from these lists to validate the substances along with the customer and supplier to determine the overall characteristics of the material so it can be handled within compliance.
● Chemicals need labeling accurately and with care.
There are precise guidelines from DOT (U.S.) and OSHA on labeling requirements for every substance and individual class. Each needs accurate labeling not only for safety but to control overall liability.
Fines and penalties are substantial for each incident, according to the EPA, going as high as $250,000. For those who intentionally violate the “federal hazardous material law,” you will receive a $75,000 penalty.
Safety is a primary concern, but aside from this factor, it is wise from a business standpoint to follow compliance guidelines.
● Provide adequate training
The safety of employees relies on adequate training, as does that of the neighboring communities. Every staff member should have a sufficient level of proper chemical handling etiquette for all materials on the premises and any transported by the company.
Training sessions should be thorough and complete, including first-aid, proper handling methodology, and emergency protocol. There should also be guidance on how and when to wear protective equipment/clothing that the company should provide.
Training should extend to those who only rarely or even those who will never interact with the materials for optimum safety and, again, compliance.
● Proper packaging is imperative.
Hazardous materials need storing in the correct containers without fail. Companies will justify moving small quantities of chemicals in unapproved packaging or keeping them in such because of the lesser amount.
Even a tiny amount of hazardous material can be dangerous, causing severe injury with the potential for a fatality. The packaging designed for specific materials prevents these types of incidents due to leakage or the possibility for a fire or worse.
You don’t want to put yourself or anyone around you in a dangerous situation by going against mandatory regulations.
Final Thought
Specific facilities, like STT systems, stay current on the authoritative guidelines as mandated by the EPA, OSHA, DOT (U.S.). Plus, they ensure each person, whether directly responsible for transporting, mixing, slake, transfer, storing, or not, is trained at least in first-aid and emergency protocol. Hence, there is an overall sense of safety and compliance within the organization.
Trusted companies like these help industries that deal in hazardous materials remain compliant, keep their environments, employees, and neighboring communities safe, and protect their businesses from peril. That is due to the chemicals being stored correctly, securely, and without the potential for mixing. Learn safety tips for individuals that store, transport, and handle specific substances at https://www.wateronline.com/doc/safety-considerations-for-anyone-storing-handling-or-transporting-substances-0001/
The chemical industry is growing steadily, with the projections that it will continue to increase exponentially with each passing year. There’s a need for reliable, experienced, trained companies who can handle these materials without posing a threat to the planet.
Industries have to take advantage of this knowledge instead of attempting to handle a hazard on their own, for which they could cause harm to not only themselves but so many surrounding them.
