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The Necessary Storage and Transport Solutions for Handling Hazardous Materials

If you own or work at a manufacturing facility, machine shop, or even a petrol station, then you understand how dangerous some of the materials and substances at these locations can be, and you’re aware of the importance of containment and spillage control. Undoubtedly, you also understand that it only takes a single instance of improper storage or movement to trigger an event that can have tragic consequences.

Awareness, best practices, and having the correct material management equipment aren’t just crucial to minimising the likelihood of such an occurrence, they’re absolutely vital to the ability to contain a potential spill in the event it happens. 

From a regulatory standpoint, Australian Standards (AS) 1940-2004, 3780-1994, 3833-2007 and 4332-2004 prescribe the organisational guidance for safety and compliance that all warehouses and manufacturers should adhere to. And to do so, you will need the proper storage solutions. On that note, let’s examine the kind of units that should be in use, ensuring that safety’s also at the forefront. 

chemical material handling
source: fleetchem.com

Material Safety Comes First

Wherever compressed gases, flammable liquids, or corrosive substances are in use, it’s essential for safety to be the first priority. Safety shouldn’t have to be an inconvenience – it does, however, need to be thorough. That’s why commonly used dangerous goods should be stored with proper material handling equipment that can provide adequate substance partition and protection, and is convenient enough for everyday usage.

Storage Units for Hazardous Substances

There’s a broad range of heavy-duty cabinet, cage, and bin options available for storing dangerous goods that are effective, relocatable, and fully AS-compliant. When built-in storage units aren’t expressly mandated, these are perfect containment solutions that can be located precisely where they’re needed and can be secured on the spot. This minimises the risks associated with excessive handling and allows for maximum separation between dissimilar materials in small spaces.

So let’s look at a few of the components that are designed to satisfy those goals. You’d want to make sure that this is the material handling equipment your company’s using, and is appropriately colour-coded and signed.        

Flammable liquids cabinets

Ideal for indoor use with keylocks, these multi-shelved units are designed and constructed to satisfy the requirements of AS1940 Minor Storage guidelines. To be spill and stain-resistant, they’re manufactured from sheet steel, zinc plated and yellow powder-coated. Due to this specific build, they can accommodate flammable liquids, toxic substances, oxidising agents and organic peroxides. These cabinets range in capacities from a modest 30L to a very significant 250L.

material handling equipment
source: baylogistics.com

Corrosive goods cabinets

These heavy-duty, blue powder-coated safety cabinets differ from their flammable liquids counterpart in their double skinned, 11mm steel construction. They come with a 40mm thermal insulation gap for corrosive substances. Designed to meet AS3780 standards for storage of acids and bases, their three-point self-latching doors are superior for segregating materials that can cause severe injury on contact.

Drum Pallets

In their basic configuration, drum racks and bunded pallets in 2 and 4 pallet capacities are made of polyethylene and are optimal corrosion-resistant solutions for either indoor or outdoor storage of drums, canisters, and containers. With a bunded capacity of 230L, these AS43780 standard pallets contain removable grating, and can be fitted with galvanised frames and PVC pallet covers for outdoor storage. Hard-covered and stackable dispensing solutions are also available, making these drum storage units completely modular.

LPG and Aerosol Cages

LPG bottles and aerosol cages both feature heavy-duty steel construction and are powder-coated green. Depending on their respective designs and purposes, these cages can hold up to 12 LPG bottles or 432 standard-sized aerosol cans. The aerosol cages should abide by the AS4332 standards for harmful gases and AS3833 standards for mixed hazardous storage. These storage containers all have lockable doors and can be bolted to the floor for added stability.

Gas cylinder storage

Gas cylinder racks and storage cages are suitable for all hazardous and non-hazardous gases covered under AS4332 standards. Although these zinc-plated stores are rust-proof and suitable for outdoor storage (as would be the case with BBQ gas bottles), they’re best suited for covered use, and are forklift and crane hoistable. 

Transport Solutions

For replenishing any of these semi-permanent stores, or for removing or repositioning dangerous goods, an equally tough array of portable trolleys and transport cages are available. You can move these by using a forklift or pallet jack. 

Unlike standard lifting or hoisting equipment, these industrial handlers are designed with non-conductive solid rubber wheels, tilting mechanisms, securing chains and binders, and fully opening ramps and gates that reduce the danger of lifting unsafe items like gas cylinders.

In short, these are mobile handling solutions that are as capable of moving material as they are of providing spillage control. And when combined with other handling gear like spill kits, and spill and drip bins, they ensure complete safety compliance.  

material handling equipment
source: hklaw.com

To Sum Up

While the purpose of this handling equipment is intended to allow businesses to move their materials through the various manufacturing, warehousing and storage phases, safety can’t be dismissed when hazardous or dangerous substances are involved in the process.

Regulatory requirements notwithstanding, it’s clearly not difficult to incorporate critical aspects of safety into the material handling function when dangerous substances are used in the work environment.

If you’re a business owner or a safety officer, take the time to double-check that your practices are indeed the best when it comes to safety. If your material management equipment needs revisiting, today’s the day to do it.

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