Develop policies and control measures for the storage of hazardous chemicals

Governments should ensure that criteria are established on measures which provide for safety of workers in the storage of hazardous chemicals. Hazardous chemicals should be stored under conditions specific to their inherent properties and characteristics to ensure safety and in accordance with established criteria. Chemicals known to have carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic health effects should be kept under strict control.

Control measures to provide protection against chemical accidents and adverse events include:

• Segregation of chemicals
• Limitations on quantities stored
• Security to storage areas
• Safe siting of storage areas
• Appropriate storage containers
• Safe loading and unloading of containers
• Precautions against accidental release, fire, explosion and spillage
• Temperature, humidity and ventilation requirements
• Labelling requirements
• Emergency procedures
• Requirements relating to possible physical and chemical changes in stored chemicals
• Surveillance systems