Laboratory Safety

Chemical Storage

  • Violently
  • With evolution of substantial heat
  • To produce flammable products
  • To produce toxic products
  • In order to prevent these consequences, incompatible chemicals should always be handled, stored and packed so that they cannot accidentally come into contact with one another.

You should always remember to store chemicals or waste in secondary containment, in accordance with EPA and FDNY requirements, in order to contain spills that may occur.

How to store chemicals at a Satellite Accumulation Area:

If chemicals are being stored at the Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA), the following guidelines should be followed:

  • The SAA location must be clearly identified with a label-"Satellite Accumulation Area"
  • The SAA must be at the point of generation. It cannot be in another room nor have an intervening wall/door.
  • The area must be under the control and supervision of the individual(s) or process generating the waste.
  • All waste must be placed in containers that are compatible
  • All containers must be labeled and MUST be closed. A funnel over a bottle is NOT a closed container.
  • Secondary containers are recommended to contain spills that may occur.
  • Storage of more than a 55-gallon container is not allowed
  • All containers must be dated once filled and must be transferred to the Main Accumulation Area (MAA) within 3 days of being dated.
  • A fume hood should not be used as a SAA

Environmental Health and Safety (All)

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