Chemical Compatibility and Storage Guidance for proper storage of hazardous laboratory chemicals

1. Chemicals stored in the laboratory shall be for the purpose of the work performed and location-specific.
2. When purchasing chemicals, keep aware of the lab’s ability to provide adequate proper storage, and anticipate chemical expiration dates and subsequent disposals required. 
3. Store chemicals in compatible containers in cool, well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight, paths of egress, or sources of heat.
4. Use sturdy, level shelving, compatible with the chemicals stored (i.e.  Oxidizers should not be stored on wood shelving).
5. Liquid chemicals shall not be stored above eye level or placed within 3 inches of a shelf edge.
6. Chemicals shall not be stored in the chemical fume hood when not in active use.
7. Chemicals shall not be stored un-binned or unprotected on the floor. Storage of chemicals on the floor is discouraged.
8. Chemicals shall be stored by compatibility and not alphabetically.
9. Household refrigerators shall not be used to store reactive, explosive, or flammable materials. Flammable Materials Refrigerators/Freezers shall only be used for these materials.  Some exemptions to this restriction may be allowed for very small quantities of these materials.  Contact labsafety@uky.edu for more information.
10. All chemical containers shall be free from evidence of spills, cracking, or deterioration, with a visible and legible label identifying the chemical’s full name in English or using a previously defined abbreviation (The abbreviation list is to be posted in the laboratory).
11. Best practices stipulate that laboratory chemical containers shall be marked with the date the container was originally received and the date it was initially opened.  Certain time-sensitive chemicals also require the addition of an expiration date, if the manufacturer's chemical does not provide one.

Chemicals demonstrating any of the characteristics listed below shall be evaluated for disposal:
 

• Containers showing evidence of decomposition, disintegration, corrosion, or other damage
• Containers with unidentifiable contents, or the labels are illegible or defaced
• Containers showing evidence of pressure buildup
• Liquids with cloudiness or change in color
• Caking or crystallization
• Change in state (e.g., solids with liquid, or liquid with evidence of solids or crystals)

Promptly dispose of expired chemicals by submitting a waste ticket in E-Trax. Chemicals that have surpassed the container's listed expiration date,if not promptly disposed, shall be documented as regularly tested (e.g., ethanol-stabilized chloroform over 5 years old). Testing logs must include the date of testing, the manufacturer and lot of the chemical, the chemical inventory ID number or barcode, the method of testing, and the outcome. Contact labsafety@uky.edu for more information.

Secondary containment enhances the safe storage of hazardous materials by the following:

1. Localize and contain spillage from defective or broken chemical containers.
2. Prevent incompatible materials from mixing.
3. Minimize spread of contamination from high health hazardous materials.

Ensure that secondary containment is large enough to contain the full volume of the contents of the inner containers should they break. In general, open-topped plastic secondary containment is satisfactory for hazardous material storage but lab personnel should ensure the containers material cannot be compromised or degraded by the chemicals they contain.  Materials exhibiting acute toxicity or reactive properties must be store in closed secondary containers..