Did you know one of the leading causes of industrial fires is the improper storage and handling of flammable liquids and chemicals? Storing flammable chemicals in approved chemical storage cabinets, also known as safety cabinets, reduces the risk of fire and protects your workplace.
On April 8, 2005, two students accepted delivery of chemical supplies and placed them in storage at a university lab in Ohio State University. They packed 10 to 12 bottles of hexane in a solvent storage cabinet. The shelf collapsed. A bottle of hexane smashed and one student suffered cuts on his arm. The students immediately vacated the area due to the overpowering hexane vapors.
Transporting and dispensing flammable liquids are high risk activities. Flammable liquids release vapors. Mixing these vapors with oxygen creates a potential fire risk. Safety cans meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) criteria and keep flammable liquids safe in volumes up to 5 gallons (19 liters).
Companies transport, store and dispense many different flammable liquids using 55-gallon drums. Any one of these routine activities has the potential to create an explosive situation.
Safety storage cabinets provide peace of mind by protecting hazardous and flammable chemicals from fire. They also control access to authorized users. Important considerations when selecting a chemical storage cabinet include...
