Specific chemicals

Hazardous substances and laboratories

Consider the following when using hazardous substances in laboratories:

The manufacturer or supplier of the material to be stored should be able to provide information about any specific storage requirements at the time of purchase.
Each substance should be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications as outlined in the material safety data sheet (MSDS).
MSDS must be available for all hazardous substances stored.
Hazardous substances used in laboratories should be appropriately labelled.
Fume cupboards should not be used for storing hazardous chemicals.
Most laboratories are now designed with controlled temperature and humidity and often with air conditioning. In most situations, this should provide adequate ventilation to deal with the necessary storage of chemicals in a laboratory, or in the event of leakage or minor spills of hazardous chemicals. In the event of major spills of volatile or highly toxic chemicals outside a fume cupboard, emergency procedures must be put in place, including evacuation as necessary and the isolation of the air conditioning in any shared system and clean up procedures. Chemical storage facilities (usually not air conditioned) should be fitted with either some forced dilution ventilation or have adequate natural ventilation suitable to deal with any case of leakage and minor or major spills as determined by a risk assessment.
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.
Where incompatible materials have to be stored in laboratories, the chemicals should be correctly segregated.
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.
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 their obligations under the dangerous goods legislation to determine if the laboratory in conjunction with the laboratory storage facility is classed as a Dangerous Goods Location or a Large Dangerous Goods Location.

Dangerous practices with hazardous substances

Extending diesel fuel

Diesel users need to be aware of the practice of extending diesel fuel.

When diesel is mixed with a blending agent such as kerosene or light crude oil, the flashpoint of the fuel is altered and can increase the risk of fire or explosion. The practice may be an offence under the Trade Measurement Act 1990 (PDF, 451 KB) administered by the Queensland Office of Fair Trading.

Using flammable refrigerant gas in car air conditioners

Motor vehicle personnel, emergency service workers and the public need to be aware of the practice that some car air conditioning systems are being 'regassed' with a flammable hydrocarbon refrigerant without labels specifying the flammable nature of the gas.

Even small quantities of gas in the system can result in a severe explosion and/or fire within the vehicle if there is a leak and an ignition source.

This matter is regulated by Queensland Mining and Safety.

Top