Most companies have hazardous materials lurking around (and no, I'm not referring to the day old coffee in the break room.) According to the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, hazardous material is, "any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors." This broad definition covers many materials used in any workplace.

Some of the more common hazardous materials are cleaning supplies. Small quantities of these materials may not be considered hazardous, and can be stored as any other materials. When stored in bulk they become a serious hazard, and are regulated. Some businesses, depending on what industry they are in, use and store more hazardous materials than others. Many materials that are used in common household tasks become a regulated hazard when bought and stored in bulk. So how does a company know what materials are considered hazardous?

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, and six organizations on the international level (including; the FAO, UNIDO, OECD, the World Heath Organization, the United Nations Environmental Program and the International Labour Organization) participate in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC). These organizations place regulations on how certain chemical (along with biological and physical) agents must be labeled. This helps a company determine if a material is hazardous. A general rule of thumb is, if the material has a hazard warning (inhalation, contact, etc.) treat it as a hazardous material.

Companies that sell materials that are considered hazardous are required to send a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with the product when shipped. Sometimes this must be requested when buying small quantities. This lists the properties of the material, what it reacts with, precautions, first aid instructions, and other vital information. These must be kept in an easily accessible place where employees can access them. This is a vital part of a company's Hazard Communication plan. Any employee who works with a hazardous material must have access to the MSDS's and should be briefed on the material as well.

When hazardous materials, used in day to day operations, are stored in small quantities in the workplace they should be labeled with the material name and any corresponding precautions. They should be placed in their proper storage locations after use and containers should be inspected for leaks before use and before storage. These small amounts are considered safe to store in the work area, when labeled properly, if they do not present an inhalation or contact hazard when stored. The containers must be sealed and should not be stored near food or drink and away from open flames. They should not be stored in a break room or other area where employees will be spending time without proper precautionary measures (masks, goggles, protective clothing, etc.)

Larger quantities of hazardous materials must be stored in storage areas designated for the material. These areas should be properly vented, allowing the passage of fresh air, but the air-flow should, of course, not vent back into the workplace. The area should be marked clearly with the material name and the specific hazard that is present. These materials should not be stored in the immediate work area and should be away from all major heat sources and any open flames. All precautions should be taken to avoid spills. Any container in storage must be sealed and should be resealed after use. Never store hazardous materials without a cover.

Materials with reactive properties should never be stored together, even if sealed in their own containers. A small leak of acetone that seeps into the storage container of sulfuric acid could have an explosive result. Chemicals that are reactive with water should be kept away from water sources and areas with excess moisture in the air. This may require a dehumidifying system. Some chemicals react with air and can combust spontaneously. These must be kept in air tight containers. Those compounds that react to shock must be stored in secure containers away from the possibility of accidental jarring or bumping.

It is important to research the properties of chemicals before setting up a storage space for them. Knowing the hazards of a chemical and its reactive properties, can help with the decision making process. The MSDS on a particular material is a good place to start. Even before that, it might be possible to get information from the company producing or shipping it. Mark the storage areas clearly and educate employees on the company's Hazard Communication plan (an OSHA regulation.) Keep all chemicals, and other hazardous materials, sealed when not in use and store them in their proper location. Have a plan in place for the unfortunate occasion that a spill occurs. These steps will ensure that the hazardous materials in the workplace will be contained and the employees will be safe.