By Ethan Davis
Storage
(a) Do not store materials on the floor
(b) Separately store organic and inorganic chemicals.
(c) No above eye level chemical shelf storage should be permitted.
(d) Shelf assemblies should be firmly secured to walls.
(e) Store acids, poisons, and flammable liquids in separate dedicated cabinets.
Purchasing, Use, and Disposal
(a) If possible, purchase chemicals in class-size quantities only. Label all chemicals accurately with date of receipt, or preparation, initialed by the person responsible, and pertinent precautionary information on handling.
(b) Follow all directions for disposing of residues and unused chemicals.
(c) Properly store flammable liquids in small quantities in containers with a provision for bonding to re-ceiving vessels when the liquid is transferred.
(d) Have a Material Safety Data Sheet on hand before using a chemical.
(e) Prepare a complete list of chemicals of which you wish to dispose.
(f) Classify each of the chemicals on the disposal list into a hazardous or non-hazardous waste chemi-cal. (Check with the local environmental agency office for details.)
Substitutions
(a) Reduce risk by diluting substances instead of using concentrates.
(b) When conducting training involving chemical handling, use handouts, films, videotapes, and other methods rather than experiments involving hazardous substances.
(c) Undertake all substitutions with extreme caution.