OSHA Regulations Regarding Chemical Storage Area

In association with the United States Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was founded with an aim to avoid and control work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths in the 1970s. This organization develops and enforces standards for safety and health in offices. In order to avoid potential exposure to harmful chemical exposure and injuries, OSHA has laid several regulations.

Location

Several regulations are there about the location to set chemical storage cabinet and wall storage cabinet. Make sure the location is not supposed to flood where you have to store chemical. Make sure to have about 100 feet of distance from area of chemical storage and surface water. Related to usual prevailing winds, make sure it can be downwind in the area. Don’t store chemicals in hallway or stairway.

Temperature Lights and Ventilation

Workers need proper amount of artificial or natural lighting in order to have proper storage safety and work safety. Make sure to have the light of 20 foot-candles in all the areas. Set up the ventilation in a way to avoid all contaminations in the atmosphere. Or they should be less than 25% below the permissible exposure levels (PEL) and lower explosive limit (LEL). Make sure to have temperature moderate enough that chemicals cannot freeze.

Material Safety Datasheets

The Material Safety Datasheets or MSDS require chemicals to be stored in the area as per the properties set in it. It also includes division of chemicals which are likely to cause reaction when they stored in near proximity. Each chemical should have legible MSDS and have unidentifiable chemical which is likely to break various government regulations. Hence, chemicals are required to be stored in containers of their own, instead of other containers like containers for orange juice or other potable liquids. 

Chemical Levels

Don’t store chemicals larger than eye level. Don’t store chemicals on top shelf. Make sure to avoid cluttering in chemical shelves and island bench. OSHA doesn’t permit storing chemicals on floor. Also don’t place chemicals in the area which can be exposed to direct sunlight as it can cause damage to chemicals.