5 Considerations for Transferring Harsh Chemicals Safely

If your business deals with harsh chemicals, you understand the importance of taking every necessary precaution when moving substances. Here are five points to consider to increase the safety of your employees and the continuous operation of your business.

Labels prevent mix-ups

Labelling containers prevents confusion, especially when similar-looking fluids are involved. If something undesirable happens, accurate labelling helps medical professionals identify the substance, and respond quickly and appropriately.

It is imperative that manufacturers and suppliers label every drum, barrel, and other chemical containers clearly. These details help shorten search time for relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Account for Fluid Temperature

Chemicals react differently to temperature changes. Some are more volatile than others in high temperatures. Before moving fluids from location to another, particularly over long distances, check that the fluid temperature is below 10°C (50°F). Use a heat exchanger or external cooling to prevent temperature increase during transfer.

For more information on temperature requirements, consult your chemical manufacturer or distributor.

Check Chemical Concentrations Before Handling

Watch out for chemical concentrations to mitigate disastrous reactions or exposure. Knowing safe chemical concentration levels helps increase the chances of a safe transfer.

• Solution Concentration – titration or other analytical techniques help determine how concentrated a solution is.
• Airborne Concentration – check for parts per million (ppm).
• Skin Concentration – use regulated controlled patch tests.

Example: Cosmetics commonly have a concentration of 0.5% (50 ppm). This is equivalent to 1 gram of the chemical substance dissolved in 1 litre of water. It would yield a concentration of 50ppm.

Constantly Monitor Fluid Temperature for Safe Handling

Fluid temperature affects substance properties such as viscosity and vapour pressure. Failing to monitor temperature consistency can lead to leaks, breaks, or worse, explosions.

• Viscosity: the cooler the fluid, the more viscous it gets, resulting to a slower flow.
• Vapour Pressure: pressure is directly proportional to temperature. High pressure causes high temperature and can lead to disastrous events.

Know how Flammable Chemicals are

Flash point is the temperature where a substance can ignite. The lower the flash point, the more dangerous it is. Here are some examples of substances and their flammability:

• Propane:
  • Boiling point: -42°C
  • Autoignition temperature: ~470°C
  • Flammable Range: 2.1% to 9.5% in air
• Petrol: flash point around -43°C to -45°C

Store and handle low flash point chemicals with care. Implement safety and counter measures to prevent any major incidents, whether during storage or transfer.