There are, unsurprisingly, a number of regulations one must adhere to if their work requires them to store hazardous chemicals.
The first step to chemical drum storage safety is, you guessed it, selecting the appropriate container. It is imperative that you select a container designed to hold that specific chemical so as to avoid any risks of the chemical reacting with the container itself, e.g. corrosion or flammability.
A 55 gallon steel hazmat drum is the most common size and material for storing flammable or high-temperature materials, for example.
Much of the EPA, OSHA and other regulating bodies rules surrounding chemical drum storage come back to this idea of compatibility and avoiding potentially dangerous chemical reactions.
A few examples of some such regulations include:
- Keeping incompatible chemicals separate (e.g. keep acids separate from bases, oxidizers away from flammable materials, etc)
- Keeping storage areas clean and free from potential reactive hazards like clutter and debris
- Storing containers at least 10 feet away from exterior walls, so that if there is a reaction it does not risk the structural integrity of the storage facility
- Avoiding stacking containers above eye level or in any way that may risk imbalance
- Maintaining proper temperature control and ventilation
- Using secondary containment systems to mitigate further danger if containers should fail or leak
While there are a number of requirements unique to chemical storage based on the properties of the chemicals themselves and the appropriate storage container and location, the high-level best practices should look familiar to anyone storing or transporting dangerous goods: choose the right container, label properly, inspect regularly, and implement employee safety training.