In 2023, the OECD released the third version of its guiding principles for chemical accident prevention. One of its key messages is both common sense but also striking: it says, “Chemical accidents continue to happen that have great similarity to past events, which indicates that the necessary learning is not taking place.”

At Safety Storage Systems, our consultants work with businesses of all types with the same goal: to design a chemical storage solution that fits their unique operational needs. To do that, we need to ensure it supports them in meeting the best practices for the handling and transport of hazardous chemicals.

In this post, we’ll run through a quick overview of those best practices, including insight gathered from decades of serving clients.

Safe Chemical Handling Protocols: The Must Do’s

Inadequate or improper chemical handling causes far more incidents than we prefer to think. We get a hint of this from the OECD guidelines and reviews of chemical accidents: one review from 2015-2021 in Korea found 62.5% of 1,380 accidents were the result of inadequate handling. A review of your own incident and near miss reporting might surprise you.

Every best practice is important, but there are two areas that we see slip in all types of business. We tell our clients to ensure they:

• Store chemicals properly: Chemicals should be in the correct container with the right label, in the correct storage area, and segregated as required. The containers should never be overfilled, and defective containers should be reported and removed from rotation. “Store chemicals properly” is a simple rule that requires a lot of dedication to practise. At the same time, the importance of storing chemicals correctly can’t be overstated: you’re mitigating many of the huge risks that come with handling and the transport of hazardous chemicals.
• Be strict with management about PPE compliance: PPE is the last line of defence against any hazard and in any risk management programme. More importantly, its importance and compliance are often under-appreciated, particularly by management. PPE compliance needs to be modelled and enforced by line management and senior management. Without their buy-in in providing PPE that’s easy to wear and creating a culture where it gets worn, PPE compliance rarely moves in a positive direction.

If you can make headway on these two practices, you’re going to set yourself up for much more success and a lower recordable injury rate.

Transport of Hazardous Chemicals: Tips to Use

We’ve already written extensively on transporting chemicals and the regulations associated with moving hazardous materials. There’s compliance, and there’s practice. Here are some best practices that can get lost in the process, particularly during peak periods.

Preparing for Transport: Chemical Loading Tips

Here are some strategies for loading chemicals for transport to minimise the potential for a spill:

• If moving chemicals over-the-road, ensure you’re working with an ADR-compliant carrier and design a risk management process that ensures all chemicals are identified, classified, and packaged correctly before loading.
• Check the SDS to determine incompatibilities before combining a load. Don’t just segregate chemicals: position incompatible chemicals on different levels (not directly above or below) and/or with a barrier in between them.
• Use the correct cart, trolly, dolly, and clamps to keep containers upright and stable as you move them.
• Never move without the appropriate secondary container (tray, bucket, bottle carrier, etc.) to contain any potential spills.
• Never move more than one container at a time if moving chemicals by hand.

Transporting Chemicals

What are some strategies to reduce the likelihood spills and avoid exposure while on the move? You should always:

• Avoid moving chemicals during periods where foot traffic is high, such as shift changes or during lunch breaks.
• Design transportation routes to avoid high traffic areas.
• Ensure spill kits and emergency equipment is available along main routes and at end points.
• Remove gloves when pressing lift buttons or other surfaces during chemical transport.

Training Employees for Proper Chemical Management

Too often, chemical safety and risk management lives in a drawer that’s opened for in time inventory, audits, and risk management plan updates. Frontline training and attempts to improve training engagement often slip down the to-do list until inspection time, and comprehensive training is easier said than done. However, there are a few strategies that can help improve communication and reinforce learning:

• Engage with your safety committee: Your safety committee knows the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’. They should always be your first port of call when looking at behavioural changes.
• Shadow a worker: Again, best practices must be applied to your local context. Shadow a worker and find out where your compliance issues are and what the next best option is.
• Provide regular toolbox talks: Whether virtual through your safety management system or in person for 10 minutes, toolbox talks are excellent tools for refreshing the basics in chemical safety training and reinforcing new changes (like newly introduced hazards). Repetition is key in any form of learning, and you can’t underestimate the value of positive face time on the subject of safety.
• Run through in-depth emergency simulations: Hands-on learning is the most impactful form of learning. It not only prepares workers with skill reinforcement, but it is a good refresher of the risks and impact of chemical spills and other accidents.

Learn How Chemical Storage Improves Site Safety

To build safe and compliant chemical storage, your expertise needs to extend beyond COSHH cabinet sizes and storage requirements. With over 20 years of storage expertise, the Safety Storage technical teams design custom chemical storage solutions that meet your inventory and operational needs and support your safety culture.

Are you ready to learn more? Get in touch to talk to one of our experts.