Chemical Transport On-Site Best Practices
The key to the minimization of chemical transportation on-site hazards is to ensure safe handling. Safe handling involves recognizing and observing the international regulations and directives that need to be followed while moving chemicals. By so doing, you’ll understand how to avoid risks and best practices for transporting chemicals on-site. If not well handled, the transportation of chemicals on-site can be disastrous and can bring substantial health-related, environmental, financial risks.
There are a set of international directives and regulations that govern the movement of dangerous substances by rail, road, air, and sea. For instance, the ADR, which is a European agreement, regulates the carriage of hazardous goods by road. The Convention Covering International Carriage, Appendix C, governs the movement of dangerous substances by rail. On the other hand, the International Air Transport Association –IATA is responsible for moving hazardous goods by air through various provisions like ICAO instructions. Knowing these legislative frameworks enables you to understand best practices for safe chemical transportation.
Similarly, knowing the precise risks associated with chemical transportation can help you learn what to do (and not to do) when moving chemicals on and off-site. There is a wide range of chemical transportation hazards that you may encounter while moving dangerous substances on-site. When moving gases, it’s crucial to note that hazardous gases can be toxic, which may cause poisoning or be flammable, thus can cause a fire. Similarly, transporting explosives substances pose a risk of explosion. You should also be aware of the risks involved in transporting oxidizing substances, which include speeding up the formation of fire and causing fire to combustible materials.
On the other hand, moving toxic chemicals can be infectious as well as toxic. The flammable solid substances can cause spontaneous combust or form combustible gas once they react with water. Similarly, the transportation of radioactive material can cause significant damage to people and the environment in case of spillage. For that matter, whether you’re moving your chemical substances from one room to the other or from one building to the next one, here are some of the best practices to ensure on-site safety.
- Chemicals can be highly reactive, so to prevent unnecessary reactions that may occur as a result of a spill or leakage, ensure you avoid placing incompatible chemicals in the same container during transportation.
- It’s also recommended to use secondary containment by using extra chemical containers such as jars or bottles on a carrier when transporting chemicals on-site.
- Another way to ensure the safe transportation of chemicals on-site is to avoid carrying trays containing dangerous chemical substances by hand. The best and appropriate carriage method is by using safe equipment like lab carts.
- Proper packaging of chemicals onboard can also prevent them from falling on a moving vehicle. Also, ensure you keep a proper record of all the chemicals you’re carrying for easier tracking.
- You should also have the necessary signs and make sure they are placed in the right place to help you stay organized.
- Whenever you’re moving chemicals on-site, remember to carry a spill management kit to help manage any accident.
- Any person involved in the transportation process of dangerous substances on-site should dress appropriately. Meaning that they need to wear personal protective gear made for the chemical they’re transporting.
- In case a spill happens on-site, and you’re not sure of how to clean it, or it feels unsafe, or you’re not sure of what chemical spilled, don’t clean alone but instead call for an assistant.
Chemical transportation poses a significant risk to the environment and people. These threats make the process of chemical transportation a concern. However, observing the best practices for on-site chemical transport can help minimize the risk of chemical accidents and other damages.