Hazardous substances and laboratories
The following should be considered when using hazardous substances in laboratories:
- The manufacturer or supplier of the material to be stored should be able to provide information in relation to any specific requirements about its storage. Seek this information at the time of acquisition of the material.
- Storage arrangements for each substance, usually outlined on the material safety data sheet (MSDS), should be in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
- MSDS's must be available for all hazardous substances stored.
- Unless there is a specific requirement for controlled temperature and humidity, good natural ventilation should provide storage conditions and a suitable work environment in case of leakage or minor spills.
- Spill control measures should be in place where any liquid is stored. A bund, designed as part of the building, is generally the most convenient form of spill control.
- Where corrosive or reactive materials are stored, the store should be constructed of materials of an inert nature, or where this is not practicable, the building should be designed so component replacement is possible.
- Buildings are required to be built of non-flammable material where flammable liquids are stored. All stores containing substances that will burn but are outside of Class 3 (primary or subsidiary risk within the Australian Dangerous Goods Code) should also be constructed of non-flammable material. For stores where amounts of particular substances are in excess of prescribed limits, appropriate Dangerous Goods licences must be held.
- Electrical work should be in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) (non-Queensland Government link). This may necessitate the installation of such devices as flameproof switches.
- All materials in the store should be properly labelled.
Operators of laboratories should also be familiar with dangerous goods.
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