Mia
To maintain a safe and fully compliant work environment, managing on-site chemical inventory is crucial. Proper storage, usage, tracking, and disposal of chemicals are all major contributors to effective management.
In turn, it will minimize risk for your workforce, customers, and the environment. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some best practices that will help establish a comprehensive chemical inventory management system.
1) Do Proper Assessments of Your Chemical Inventory
To start, conduct an in-depth assessment of your existing chemical inventory. Figure out all chemicals available in your facility, such as those in storage, active use, or awaiting disposal. This thorough assessment will assist you in grasping the scale and nature of your chemical inventory, ensuring they are well-managed and organized.
It’s advisable to upkeep accurate chemical inventories so you can guarantee regulatory compliance. If you are unaware of what you’ve on-site, you couldn’t have updated Safety Data Sheets (aka SDSs), hazard classifications, and much more. You can also streamline chemical compliance with advanced software solutions.
2) Make Categories and Add Labels to Chemicals
The next step is to categorize chemicals according to their hazard classification, better compatibility, and storage requirements. You must also implement a proper labeling system that clearly signifies the chemicals’ identity, hazards linked to them, and any particular handling instructions.
Be sure that all the container labels are visible, understandable, and adhere to relevant regulations, such as GHS labeling requirements. It is important that you have an SDS for every chemical and for all on-site chemicals.
SDSs provide the necessary information about the potential harm, appropriate handling procedures, treatment methods, and storage guidance for every chemical. Ensure SDSs are available in the workspace, close to chemicals used or stored within such space.
3) Store Chemicals More Safely
Properly, all chemicals must be stored in a designated place suitable for their properties and potential hazards. On the other hand, it is advised to separate materials that are not compatible with each other and cannot be mixed.
Label your storage areas, indicating what belongs where, and use storage containers (cabinets, shelves, or bins) on the tops to prevent spills, leaks, or contamination.
Using these strategies, together with regular cleaning and good ventilation of the stores, workers should be able to access diverse materials without safety issues.
4) Implement A Tracking System
Since the majority of chemicals are very dangerous, there is no room for error or inaccuracy in your inventory. Keeping a careful record of all of the chemicals in use onsite is the most reliable means to assess all the risks your workers are surrounded by. Your chemical inventory log must include several things;
- Chemical Purchase dates
- Daily/weekly usage of chemicals
- Quantities (both open & unopened)
Always reconcile inventory records with physical counts to determine the number of disparities or problems. This tracking system will ensure timely restocking and replenishment of lower thresholds of goods and help limit the risk of excess inventory and regulatory violations.
5) Keep Track of Expiration Dates and Safely Waste Disposal
Don’t forget to implement a system for tracking and implementing chemical expiration dates so that you can dispose of them before they become obsolete or hazardous. Be sure to rotate your stock when needed, leveraging a first-in, first-out (FIFO) approach to lessen the risk of using expired chemicals.
What’s more, establishing clear procedures for safe and hassle-free chemical disposals. Such procedures must adhere to local, state, and federal rules and regulations for dangerous waste disposal.
After that, you need to find authorized waste management vendors or facilities that can best handle and dispose of chemicals according to the application’s regulatory compliance.
