What is a hazardous materials storage facility?
A hazardous materials storage facility is used to store hazardous substances and must meet certain requirements. These depend on the type, quantity and classification of the hazardous substances to be stored. In any case, hazardous substances must be stored in such a way that the safety and health of employees is guaranteed. In addition, the environment must be protected from negative influences. Only limited quantities of hazardous substances may be stored at the workplace. Their quantity depends on the volume required for the continuation of activities.
It must be possible to adequately illuminate and ventilate hazardous substance storage areas. The floor must be impermeable and resistant to hazardous substances. It must not be absorbent. Last but not least, extinguishing equipment must be available (fire extinguisher, sprinkler system, extinguishing sand, binding agent). The warehouse must also be cleaned regularly.
The shelves in a hazardous materials warehouse must have collision protection, protect the goods from falling out, be stable and have sufficient static load-bearing capacity.
The warehouse keeper must keep a list of hazardous substances containing the following information: Designation of the hazardous substances and their classification including hazardous properties, quantities stored and storage locations. The hazardous substances register lists all hazardous substances present in the company.
Section 2 of TRGS 510 (Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances) regulates the places where hazardous substances may be stored:
- Buildings
- Areas or rooms in buildings
- Outdoor areas
- containers
- cabinets
However, the following locations are not suitable for storing hazardous substances:
- Traffic routes (e.g. escape and rescue routes, passages, thoroughfares)
- Break rooms, first-aid rooms or sanitary facilities
- Work rooms (hazardous substances must be stored separately here, for example in special safety cabinets)
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