Exposure to toxic chemicals during storage, transportation and disposal can result in injury or illness. If spills occur, containers leak, labels are removed or if untrained employees have access to materials, the risk of injury or illness is even greater. To prevent unnecessary injury or illness from hazardous exposure to toxic chemicals, consider the following safety recommendations.

Proper Toxic Chemical Handling Techniques 

Storage

• Store chemicals in well-ventilated, well-lit areas with a locked entrance. Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) regarding the proper storage procedures for each chemical on-site.
• Store chemicals away from personal protective equipment (PPE), especially respirators.
• Know what chemicals are incompatible, and keep them away from each other.
• Be mindful that some chemicals contain solvents that can escape into the air and release harmful vapors unless their containers are properly sealed.
• Store chemicals only in their original manufactured containers with the original labels. If a chemical’s label should come off, replace it immediately.
• Place clean-up tools close to the chemical storage facility, including water, soil, absorbent pillows and sand.
• Keep pesticides separate from animal feed, fertilizer, seeds, water and incompatible chemicals.

Transport

• Do not transport chemicals with animal feed, food, water or incompatible chemicals.
• Secure chemicals in their proper containers on the vehicle before proceeding so they cannot move, fall or break.
• Keep a detailed record of the chemicals you are transporting.
• While transporting hazardous substances, bring the appropriate PPE for handling purposes.

Disposal

• Before dumping any chemical, read through the SDS and the manufacturer’s label regarding toxicity to animals and plants. Also, note the proper way to dispose of any leftover substances and the container.
• Rinse the container at least three times to remove all traces of the substance. Then, crush the empty container.
• Empty hazardous waste containers require special handling. Familiarize yourself and follow our hazardous waste recycling procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.

Your Safety is Important

Toxic chemicals must be stored, transported and disposed of in a safe manner at . If you have any questions or concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals and your safety, contact your supervisor.

Contact us today at 703-683-6601 to learn more.