Handling hazardous materials is a serious responsibility. A single misstep can lead to devastating consequences, including severe harm to personnel and hefty fines from regulatory bodies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Use this blog as a complete guide to chemical storage regulations, and explore the roles of OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Learn about chemical classification systems and practical steps for maintaining a compliant and safe storage area.
Who Regulates Chemical Storage?
In the US, several federal agencies establish rules for the safe handling and storage of hazardous chemicals. The two primary bodies most businesses must comply with are OSHA and the EPA. While their missions sometimes overlap, they focus on different aspects of safety.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA’s primary mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. Its regulations protect workers from a wide range of workplace hazards, including those posed by dangerous chemicals. OSHA’s main standard for chemical safety is the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) found in 29 CFR 1910.1200.
The HCS requires employers to identify and evaluate the chemical hazards in their workplace and communicate that information to their employees. Key components of the HCS include:
- Safety data sheets (SDS): Manufacturers and importers must provide an SDS for each hazardous chemical they produce. This 16-section document details the chemical’s properties, hazards, handling precautions, and emergency procedures.
- Chemical labels: All hazardous chemical containers must be clearly labeled with the product identifier, a signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”), hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and the name and address of the manufacturer.
- Employee training: Employers must train workers on the hazards of the chemicals they work with and what to do in an emergency.
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA’s focus is on protecting human health and the environment. While OSHA works to keep employees safe inside the workplace, the EPA works to prevent hazardous materials from harming the air, water, and soil outside of it. The EPA’s authority comes from several laws, most notably the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
RCRA governs the management of hazardous waste “from cradle to grave,” meaning from its generation to its final disposal. If your business generates, transports, treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste, you must comply with RCRA regulations.
Key EPA requirements include:
- Waste identification: Businesses must correctly identify and classify any hazardous waste they generate.
- Generator status: Companies are categorized as large quantity generators (LQGs), small quantity generators (SQGs), or very small quantity generators (VSQGs) based on the amount of hazardous waste they produce each month. Each category has different regulatory requirements.
- Emergency preparedness: Facilities must have an emergency plan in place to respond to fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous waste.
Local Fire Marshals and Building Authorities
Local codes often apply as well when you’re dealing with chemicals. Fire marshals may require specific types of storage cabinets, a certain spacing between containers, or a particular type of fire suppression system. Building codes can mandate the use of specific construction materials.
Hazard Classes
To store chemicals safely, you first need to understand what makes them hazardous. Both OSHA and the EPA have systems for classifying chemicals based on their specific risks.
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard evaluates chemicals for their physical and health hazards. Physical hazards are properties that can cause immediate harm, such as fires or explosions. Examples include:
- Flammable liquids, solids, and gases
- Explosives
- Oxidizers (chemicals that can fuel fires)
- Gases under pressure
Health hazards can cause acute or chronic health effects. Examples of these effects include acute toxicity, skin corrosion or irritation, and serious eye damage. The pictograms on chemical labels provide a quick visual reference to these hazards. For example, a flame pictogram indicates a fire hazard, while a skull and crossbones pictogram indicates acute toxicity.
Core Principles of Compliant Chemical Storage
Following these fundamental principles will help you create a safe and compliant chemical storage program.
Segregate Incompatible Chemicals
One of the most critical principles of chemical storage is segregation. Storing incompatible chemicals together can lead to violent reactions that produce toxic gases, fires, or explosions. Safety Data Sheets are the best resource for identifying incompatibilities. Section 7 of the SDS (“Handling and Storage”) provides specific guidance on which materials should be stored separately.
As a general rule, segregate chemicals by their hazard class. Store flammable liquids away from oxidizers, and keep acids separate from bases. Isolate water-reactive chemicals from any potential contact with moisture.
Implement Secondary Containment
Secondary containment is a crucial backup system designed to capture spills and leaks from primary containers. This can be a specially designed storage cabinet with a liquid-tight sump, a curb around a storage area, or a spill pallet. The EPA requires that a secondary containment system must be able to hold the entire volume of the largest container or 10% of the total volume of all containers stored in the area, whichever is greater.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation
Proper ventilation provides safety in areas where flammable or toxic vapors can accumulate. Good airflow helps disperse vapors, keeping their concentration below explosive limits and reducing inhalation exposure for employees. Depending on the chemicals you store, you may need either natural ventilation or a mechanical ventilation system. Flammable liquid storage rooms often require specialized exhaust systems that are explosion-proof.
Perform Regular Inspections
Establish a routine inspection schedule for all chemical storage areas. Look for signs of container damage, leaks, expired chemicals, and improper storage practices. Document these inspections and take prompt corrective action to address any issues you find. Regular inspections help you identify and fix problems before they escalate into major incidents.
Consider Renting a Storage Unit
A guide to chemical storage regulations wouldn’t be complete without discussing how to get the right storage containers. Permanent storage infrastructure may not always be feasible, especially for businesses with seasonal operations or temporary projects. In such cases, chemical storage rentals from companies such as American Hazmat Rentals provide a practical solution. These rentals meet regulatory requirements while offering flexibility and scalability. They allow companies to expand or reduce storage capacity as needed without long-term construction.
Chemical storage regulations affect every aspect of workplace safety, from protecting employees to preventing environmental damage. Meeting these standards requires attention to detail, but it also brings peace of mind by reducing risks and strengthening operational reliability.