Instigate workplace control measures for the safe storage of hazardous chemicals
Employers should make sure that hazardous chemicals are stored in accordance with established criteria, under conditions specific to their inherent properties and characteristics to ensure safety. 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
Relevant tools
Below is a list of tools relevant for implementing this topic :
- ILO: Safety and health in the use of agrochemicals - A guide (2011)
- ILO: Code of practice - Safety in the use of chemicals at work (1993)
- ILO: All you need to know - ILO Chemicals Convention No. 170 and its Recommendation No. 177 (2020)
- ILO: Code of practice - Prevention of major industrial accidents (1991)
- ILO: Major Industrial Accidents Convention (No. 174) and Recommendation (No. 181), 1993
- ILO: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) (2022)
- WHO/ILO: International chemical safety cards (ICSCs)