Promoting Resource Efficiency in Small & Medium size ... - UNEP

• Separate storage of substances that can be extinguished with
water and substances that cannot be extinguished with water
Chemicals that can be extinguished with water should be
separated from chemicals that must not be extinguished with
water. Wherever possible, store these two groups of substances
in different rooms.
• No storage of chemicals at the workplace
Often large amounts of hazardous substances are (temporarily)
stored at the workplace (e.g. solvent containers under worktops).
In case of an accident these substances are a major source of
danger. Do not keep more than one day’s requirement of any
hazardous substance at the workplace. Refill daily from the
central storage point.
• Keeping storage records
At each storage point, the company must keep a storage list.
The list should include the type, quantity and risk potential of
the stored substance. If an accident occurs, the fire brigade will
know how to fight the fire due to the information provided by the
storage list.
• Substitution of high risk substances
The best way of avoiding risks associated with the storage of
chemicals is to eliminate high-risk substances altogether from
the company and replace them by less dangerous alternatives.
In particular, substances with a high potential to cause a fire or
damage to human health or the environment (e.g. chlorinated
hydrocarbons, products containing heavy metals and watersoluble
substances that will not readily degrade, such as nondegradable
surfactants) should be substituted.
8.4 CHECKLIST: chemical management
The following checklists provide a list of options to reduce the
consumption of chemicals in the domestic area, offices, for the storage
of chemicals as well as guidelines for the substitution of commonly
used hazardous process chemicals. These options can also be taken
as generic approaches to look for opportunities to reduce the hazards
associated with chemicals in production sites.
8.4.1 Domestic chemicals
• Automate detergent dispensing to avoid accidental manual overdosing
• Empty chemical dosing drums completely, drain any residue
into the new drum
• Use of low-temperature detergents reduces energy costs, may
rinse more easily, reduce the risk of colour run and retain better
colour brightness
• Check dispensing instructions and measure detergents
• Set chemical dosing pumps for low, medium and high dip
washes
• Check in-use detergent strengths, where possible
8.4.2 Office chemicals
• Reduce the number and volume of chemical products in use,
especially for cleaning
• Inquire as to an updated safety data sheets (SDS) with each reorder
and file updated SDS with the security administrator or
purchasing department
• Return the SDS to the supplier or ask for a new one if:
- The product identification does not correspond to the product
- The SDS or parts of it are illegible
- Date, manufacturer, distributor or product name are missing
on the SDS
- The information on the SDS does not correspond to the
product identification
- The SDS is not subdivided into the required 16 chapters
• Contact the supplier if:
- The SDS is not up-to-date
- The classification according to the chemical’s regulation is
missing, incomplete or incorrect
- Part of the information is missing (e.g. environmental
properties, disposal details)
• Substitute high-risk hazardous substances with less dangerous
alternatives
• Eliminate CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic)
substances as much as possible
• Use automated systems to apply hazardous chemical
substances
• Segregate combustible and flammable hazardous chemical
substances from each other
• Measure and monitor concentrations of hazardous chemical
substances
• Install appropriate collective protection equipment
• Distribute necessary personal protective equipment to the
workers
• Continuous local exhaust ventilation at all workplaces where the
concentration of chemical substances exceeds the maximum
admissible concentration
• Regular technical checks of the equipment used with chemicals
• Inspect and clean exhaust ventilation systems on a regular basis
to maintain maximum efficiency
• Regular medical examinations for workers exposed to hazardous
chemical substances, especially to CMR substances and
substances with a biological limit value
• Use of ventilation and monitoring of concentrations
• Prevention or elimination of ignition sources
• Separation of substances that can form explosive mixtures with
air from open flames, electrical equipment, sparks, etc.
• Avoid contamination of original containers caused by pouring
back into them the products they contained
• Clearly mark explosive areas
• Clearly indicate escape and rescue routes and keep those routes
free of obstacles
8.4.3 Storage of chemicals
The following strategies are re-printed from “Guidelines for the safe
storage of chemicals” 2007 (University of Queensland, Australia):
The quantities of hazardous chemicals should be kept to a minimum,
commensurate with their usage and shelf life. Some chemicals degrade
in storage and can become more hazardous, e.g. chloroform can
produce phosgene from prolonged storage. Such chemicals should
be identified and managed appropriately. Schools are encouraged to
develop centralised chemical purchasing policies and monitoring
systems to minimise stockholding.
Ensure chemical containers and their seals or stoppers are appropriate
for the type and quantity of chemical stored. As far as is practicable,
chemicals should be stored in the containers in which they are supplied.
If you repack chemicals make sure the new containers are labelled
properly. All packages in storage should be labelled to allow
unmistakable identification of the contents and all labels should comply
with the relevant regulations. Labels should be reattached or replaced,
as necessary, to clearly identify the contents of the package.
Containers that have held hazardous chemicals should be treated as
full, unless the receptacle or package has been rendered free from
hazardous chemicals. Do not give away empty containers to workers,
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