Chemical Drum Storage & Containment

In modern industrial settings, proper chemical storage and containment is a vital step to preventing exposure to humans, animals and the environment. Storing chemicals in large drums and ensuring they remain contained is not something to be undertaken lightly. Always follow the highest standards of safety and risk prevention.

Understanding Risks

• To ensure that spills or leaks never occur, learn all relevant information about the chemical you will be dealing with. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are fact sheets composed for every chemical used in industry, even chemicals sold in stores. Using an MSDS will help you understand the basic properties of a chemical such as corrosiveness, flammability or toxicity. Reviewing an MSDS before working with a chemical will also provide you information on how that chemical should be safely stored.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Always equip yourself with the proper range of personal protective equipment (PPE) before handling chemicals. At a minimum, you should be wearing neoprene gloves, goggles, close-toed shoes (no sandals) and long pants. Anything you can put between yourself and a hazardous substance can make a difference, but be aware of the specific hazards of a chemical. Volatile substances or chemicals with noxious fumes call for the use of a respirator or face mask. Chemicals that may splash should be handled using a face mask and lab coat or apron. If you think the PPE you have is insufficient, it probably is. Better to be overprepared than risk a caustic burn or inhalation of noxious fumes.

Safety First

• Never settle on "good enough" when storing a potentially hazardous substance. Always follow the safety and risk information outlined in the MSDS for the chemical or chemicals you are using. Oftentimes being safe just means following common sense. For instance, if a chemical has a high flammability rating, you must extinguish any sources of open flame. However, some risks are not as obvious. Extremely flammable substances can be ignited from something as simple as a static shock from your own body. For this reason, using best practices would not only include extinguishing any flame but also discharging any possible static buildup by touching grounded metal.

Storage

• Remember, even if you have done everything right in handling and storing a chemical, you must also inspect your holding facility periodically to make sure no leaks have occurred over time. Even modern chemical storage drums can develop leaks. If a leak does occur, it is important that it is discovered as soon as possible. Many chemicals can corrode or leach into building materials, causing contamination and damage that can be costly to repair.

Disposal

• At some point you will have either used up the chemical you have been storing or you simply won't have a use for it anymore. Either way, now is not a time to cut corners. Disposing of the remainder is just as important as storing it safely in the first place. Look up local toxic or hazardous waste disposal facilities. Most facilities will take up to 55 gallons of waste for free from non-commercial or industrial generators. In other words, if you have old pesticides, motor oil, bleach or other chemicals, you can likely dispose of them properly at no cost. If you are having trouble finding a disposal facility, try contacting your city's sanitation department or fire department--they will likely know of the nearest hazardous waste disposal facility.