Safety Checklist for Chemical Storeroom

Room: _____________ Inspector: _____________ Date: _____________ Area of Concern The storeroom is properly labelled. The storeroom can be locked and access restricted. Fire resistant cabinets for flammable liquids are available. All chemical refrigerators are explosion proof and labelled No Food. The shelving is secured to the wall or floor. The chemical shelving has raised edges to prevent accidents. Yes No Date Remedied

Ventilation is adequate.
Chemicals are stored according to their chemical properties. Acids are stored in corrosion-resistant cabinets. Leakproof containers are available for transporting corrosive chemicals. An annually updated inventory of chemicals is available. MSDS sheets are available for every chemical. Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene plan are available. Peroxide-forming chemicals are marked with the date opened and tested for peroxides every 6 months or disposed of. Gas cylinders are firmly secured. Waste-chemical and waste-solvent containers are capped and clearly labeled. All containers of chemicals are clearly labeled with the name of the chemical, appropriate hazard warning, and name of manufacturer. Reagent chemical labels contain the date mixed, name of chemical, and name of preparer. All containers are free of rust and corrosion. Explosion-proof lightening. Grounding and bonding wires are available for spark-free transfer of flammable liquids. Containers are dated when received and opened. New containers are marked to show the full level. Glass containers are stored in a manner to prevent breakage.

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Are Dangerous Goods used? Dangerous Goods used at the site may include explosives, flammable liquids such as petrol, kerosene, turps and flammable paints; corrosives such as hydrochloric acid; oxy/acetylene welding sets and LPG. Make sure there is a Material Safety Data Sheet for each Dangerous Good. Get these from the supplier or manufacturer of the substance. Provide correct personal protective equipment for chemical use. Ensure first aid provisions are suitable for Dangerous Goods on the site, including adequate eye wash. Make sure workers have been trained in the use of Dangerous Goods. Are flammable and combustible liquids used at the site? Store flammable liquids away from any ignition sources or sources of heat. Keep containers closed when not in use and secured when the site is unattended. Remove all combustible materials from areas where flammable liquids are stored, used or decanted. Transfer flammable liquids in a safe manner where a dry chemical fire extinguisher is available. Ensure nobody smokes near flammable or combustible substances and display NO SMOKING signs where these are stored. Oily rags can spontaneously combust in hot weather and should not be left in piles. . Is LPG used at the site? Keep LPG cylinders in an upright position at all times. Restrain them from falling and protect them from vehicle damage. Keep cylinder valves closed when not in use. Ensure LPG is not used near ignition sources or while smoking. Provide a dry chemical fire extinguisher. LPG cylinders are never to be turned upside down to freeze pipes. Ensure appliances are compatible and a regulator is to be used where necessary. Store cylinders in a well ventilated area away from combustible materials. Provide security for cylinders when the site is unattended. . Are welding sets used at the site? Ensure attached equipment is compatible and a regulator set is provided where necessary. Provide a flashback arrester. Keep cylinders upright and protected from impact. Provide personal protective equipment for welding. . Are Hazardous Substances used at the site? A hazardous substance can be identified by a warning such as "POISON", "DANGEROUS POISON" or "HAZARDOUS" on the label. Hazardous substances may include two-pack timber treatments, pesticides, fungicides, hydrochloric acid, glues, paints and thinners. Hazardous substances can also be Dangerous Goods. . Have you provided information and training? Provide Material Safety Data Sheets on all Hazardous Substances. Get these from the supplier or manufacturer. Check all containers are labelled when purchasing Hazardous substances and ensure that the label remains intact and is readable. Instruct and train workers on the safe use of substances. . Have you conducted a risk assessment? Determine if there is potential for harm associated with the use of the hazardous substance. Refer to the label and Material Safety Data Sheet. Reduce the risk by using a less toxic product, provide ventilation, reduce the number of people exposed and ensure worker use personal protective equipment and clothing. . 4. Are records kept? Keep a register of Hazardous Substances and Material Safety Data Sheets. Record results of risk assessments.

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS Are combustible scrap, debris and waste materials (oily rags, etc.) stored in covered metal receptacles and removed from the worksite promptly? Is proper storage practiced to minimize the risk of fire including spontaneous combustion? Are approved containers and tanks used for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids? Are all connections on drums and combustible liquid piping vapour and liquid tight? Are all flammable liquids kept in closed containers when not in use (e.g. parts cleaning tanks, pans, etc.)? Are bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded and bonded to containers during dispensing? Do storage rooms for flammable and combustible liquids have explosion-proof lights? Do storage room for flammable and combustible liquids have mechanical or gravity ventilation? Is liquefied petroleum gas stored, handled, and used in accordance with safe practices and standards? Are "NO SMOKING" signs posted on liquefied petroleum gas tanks? Are liquefied petroleum storage tanks guarded to prevent damage from vehicles? Are all solvent wastes and flammable liquids kept in fire-resistant, covered containers until they are removed from the worksite? Is vacuuming used whenever possible rather than blowing or sweeping combustible dust? Are firm separators placed between containers of combustibles or flammables, when stacked one upon another, to assure their support and stability? Are fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders separated by distance, fire resistant barriers, etc. while in storage? Are fire extinguishers selected and provided for the types of materials in areas where they are to be used? Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted within 75 feet of outside areas containing flammable liquids, and within 10 feet of any inside storage area for such materials? Are extinguishers free from obstructions or blockage? Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained and tagged at intervals not to exceed one year? Are all extinguishers fully charged and in their designated places? Where sprinkler systems are permanently installed, are the nozzle heads so directed or arranged that water will not be sprayed into operating electrical switch boards and equipment?

Yes No Date Remedied

Are "NO SMOKING" signs posted where appropriate, in areas where flammable or combustible materials are used or stored? Are safety cans used for dispensing flammable or combustible liquids at a point of use? Are all spills of flammable or combustible liquids cleaned up promptly? Are storage tanks adequately vented to prevent the development of excessive vacuum or pressure as a result of filling, emptying, or atmosphere temperature changes? Are storage tanks equipped with emergency venting that will relieve excessive internal pressure caused by fire exposure? Are "NO SMOKING" rules enforced in areas involving storage and use of hazardous materials? HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE Are employees trained in the safe handling practices of hazardous chemicals such as acids, caustics, etc.? Are employees aware of the potential hazards involving various chemicals stored or used in the workplace such as acids, bases, caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.? Is employee exposure to chemicals kept within acceptable levels? Are eye wash fountains and safety showers provided in areas where corrosive chemicals are handled? Are all containers such as vats, storage tanks, etc., labelled as to their contents, e.g., "CAUSTICS"? Are employees required to use personal protective clothing and equipment when handling chemicals (gloves, eye protection, respirators, etc.)? Are flammable or toxic chemicals kept in closed containers when not in use? Are chemical piping systems clearly marked as to their content? Where corrosive liquids are frequently handled in open containers or drawn from storage vessels or pipe lines, are adequate means readily available for neutralizing or disposing of spills or overflows properly and safely? Have standard operating procedures been established and are they being followed when cleaning up chemical spills? Where needed for emergency use, are respirators stored in a convenient, clean, and sanitary location? Are respirators intended for emergency use adequate for the various uses for which they may be needed? Are employees prohibited from eating in areas where hazardous chemicals are present? Is personal protective equipment provided, used and maintained whenever necessary? Are there written standard operating procedures for the selection and use of respirators where needed? If you have a respirator protection program, are your employees instructed on the correct usage and limitations of the respirators? Are the respirators approved for this particular application? Are they regularly inspected and cleaned, sanitized and maintained?

the correct usage and limitations of the respirators? Are the respirators approved for this particular application? Are they regularly inspected and cleaned, sanitized and maintained? If hazardous substances are used in your processes, do you have a medical or biological monitoring system in operation? Are all employees familiar with the Threshold Limit Values or Permissible Exposure Limits of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in the workplace? Have control procedures been instituted for hazardous materials, where appropriate, such as respirators, ventilation systems, handling practices, etc.? Whenever possible are hazardous substances handled in properly designed and exhausted booths or similar locations? Do you use general dilution or local exhaust ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors, gases, fumes, smoke, solvents or mists which may be generated in your workplace? Is ventilation equipment provided for removal of contaminants from such operations as: production grinding, buffing, spray painting, and/or vapor degreasing, and is it operating properly? Do employees complain about dizziness, headaches, nausea, irritation, or other factors of discomfort when they use solvents or other chemicals? Is there a dermatitis problem? Do employees complain about dryness, irritation, or sensitization of the skin? Have you considered the use of an industrial hygienist or environmental health specialist to evaluate your operation? If internal combustion engines are used, is carbon monoxide kept within acceptable levels? Is vacuuming used rather than blowing or sweeping dusts whenever possible for clean-up? Are materials which give off toxic asphyxiate, suffocating or anaesthetic fumes, stored in remote or isolated locations when not in use?