Down-Pouring & Repackaging Chemicals
A common practice among industries is to buy chemicals in bulk, then down-pour, or re-package, it into smaller, more manageable containers. And although this sounds like a very simple task, it does need to be done properly, and with care.
Know Your Chemical:
Before handling any chemical, make sure you read and understand the label. What level of Personal Protective Equipment do you need? Is the chemical flammable? How do you clean it up if you spill? All these questions and more can be answered by following the manufacturer's suggestions as written on the label.
Secondary Containers:
When choosing a smaller, secondary container to down-pour your chemical into, make sure it is clean, dry, and free of debris. If you are not sure if the container has been previously used for a different chemical, clean it and dry it thoroughly. You do not want to accidentally mix two incompatible chemicals, as doing so could have dangerous consequences.
Location:
Any time you are working with chemicals, make sure you do so in a safe, clear, and well-ventilated area, preferably a place designated and marked for handling chemicals.
Preparation:
Now that you've read the label, have a clean secondary container, and are in a safe location, you want to make sure you have all the tools necessary, such as funnels, hand pumps, or other transferring equipment that is suitable for both the bulk, and smaller, containers. This will not only make the job easier, but minimize accidental spills and cleanup.
Down-Pouring:
Once you are fully prepared with all your tools, and you are in a safe location wearing your proper PPE, it's time to downpour. Go slow, be safe, and continue to follow all the manufacturer's suggestions, as you read on the bulk container's label.
Clean-Up:
Once you have successfully transferred the chemical, make sure to properly close and seal both the bulk and secondary containers. Label the secondary container properly, preferably with a manufacturer-provided secondary label, as well as the date of the downpour, the quantity of chemical, the batch code, and the expiration date of the chemical.
If you have down poured into an open-lid container, such as a bucket, take proper care to make sure no debris or other chemicals can accidentally contaminate the contents, or that moving the container around could cause a spill.
Lastly, clean up any tools you might have used, or any spills that may have occurred.
Conclusion:
Buying chemicals in bulk can be cost-effective, but down-pouring and repackaging should not be overlooked when training employees. And, as always, it is important to follow all local, state, and federal regulations while handling chemicals.
Mixing Chemicals
Mixing cleaning agents can be very dangerous, and can have serious consequences, from an unexpected explosion to creating life-threatening fumes. While it is easy to think that mixing two really good products together will make a super product that cleans in half the time, and saves you money, you could be putting yourself, and everyone around you, in danger.
Mixing Can Damage Equipment:
Muriatic acid can remove rust. Chlorine can disinfect. But if you combine them together, you're not making a super, rust-removing disinfectant for your processing line; but instead, a highly corrosive compound that could permanently damage your equipment. Not to mention a cloud of lethal fumes that could permanently damage you.
Training:
Janitorial and Sanitation crews might look for ways to cut costs or speed up the cleaning process. It is important to properly train all personnel on the safe usage and handling of chemicals in the workplace, including the dangers of mixing chemicals.
Simple Green products are specifically designed for all janitorial and sanitation needs. There's no need to enhance Simple Green products; however, you can safely mix them with water to create custom cleaning solutions, and thereby cut the costs of the cleaning process.
Conclusion:
When it comes to mixing chemicals, a good rule of thumb is, don't. And posting highly-visible signs in all chemical storage areas might discourage all personnel from thinking, "Just this one time, it might be OK." Because just this one time, it might not.
Storing Chemicals
Know Your Chemicals:
Before using or storing a product, you should become familiar with the product's chemicals and properties. The product's label will inform you of any hazards associated with it, as well as any safety precautions you should follow while using it. The label will also list the manufacturer's recommendations for storing and disposing of the chemical safely.
Segregate Your Chemicals:
The best practice for chemical storage is to separate chemicals by type to prevent dangerous interactions or safety issues if they leak or spill. For example, don't store flammable chemicals next to explosive chemicals.
Other chemicals that should never be stored together are Corrosives with Oxidizers, or Acids with Bases.
One way to ensure you segregate your chemicals properly is to dedicate special areas for each chemical type. For example, you might put explosive chemicals in a non-flammable cabinet, while storing flammable chemicals in a separate, non-flammable cabinet.
Use Proper Containers:
If possible, chemicals should be stored in their original containers, along with their original labels. If the container leaks, or the cap doesn't close properly, you should transfer the chemical to an appropriate, clean, and properly labeled secondary container that's in good condition.
Ventilation:
Chemicals should always be stored, and used, in well-ventilated areas to prevent fume build-up and vapors that can be narcotic, toxic, or in some cases, explosive. Proper ventilation and air circulation should never be ignored.
Temperature Control:
Chemicals may require a temperature-controlled environment to avoid potentially hazardous situations, or to maintain efficacy. This may include exposure to direct sunlight, freezing temperatures, etc. Again, read the product's label for further instructions from the manufacturer.
Access Control:
Chemicals and products should always be stored in locations only accessible by trained personnel.
Inventory Control:
Chemicals may have expiration dates, or possibly a "best used by" date, which can be found stamped or printed on the original packaging. It is important to have a process for monitoring and rotating chemicals to ensure their efficacy, especially when dealing with sanitizers or disinfectants. Once a chemical is expired, dispose of it properly according to the manufacturer's suggestions, as found on the label.
If you find the need to store a chemical in a new, secondary container, make sure to write the expiration date on that container so it can be placed in the proper rotation.
Employee Safety:
All chemicals should always be used with at least a bare minimum of Personal Protective Equipment, such as neoprene gloves, lab coats, safety goggles, and proper ventilation. The label will tell you if further precautions are needed, such as wearing a respirator.
One way to ensure employee safety is to post highly visible signs or infographics in all chemical storage areas, along with the necessary PPE, and Safety Data Sheets.
Waste Treatment and Disposal:
Using cleaning and sanitation products means you will generate residue, mostly the dirty water that comes after wash-down. It is important to know and follow any local, state, or federal regulations pertaining to the treatment, and disposal of, these residues.
Training:
When introducing a chemical into the workplace, it is important to properly train all personnel on the proper storing and handling of the chemical. Conversely, training is just as important when introducing a new employee to the chemicals in the workplace.
Simple Green Can Help:
Segregating chemicals, employee safety, and waste disposal all add to the hidden cost of cleaning. Using Simple Green products can help lower these hidden costs because they are engineered to be non-reactive, non-flammable, require minimum safety training, require only basic PPE, and could cut the cost of waste treatment disposal.
The proper storage and handling of chemicals is not something to take lightly. While chemicals can be our friends, handling them incorrectly can be dangerous, if not deadly. Remember to always read and understand product labels, store them properly, use them safely, and dispose of them according to law.
