Chemical Safety
Answer reviewed 2 March 2023
This is a very good question as it is vital that chemicals should be segregated from incompatible chemicals within the chemical store. There are a number of sources of information that we can recommend that will provide a good foundation for safe storage of chemicals in school science laboratory chemical stores.
Segregation of incompatible chemicals can be based upon the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) Classification for road transport.1 However, it is important to be aware that there can be incompatibilities within a Dangerous Goods Class and where a chemical falls into more than one class.
If a school uses a commercially available chemical management system for compiling their chemical register, the system may indicate if a chemical is being stored with an incompatible chemical.
Chemical management policies and procedures which have been developed in specific jurisdictions can also provide excellent general guidance information.2,3
Guidance on the storage of specific chemicals can be found in our Chemical Management Handbook.4 We have also answered a number of questions regarding chemical storage.5-8
References:
1 National Transport Commission, 2023, The Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous by Road and Rail, Edition 7.8, NTC website, https://www.ntc.gov.au/codes-and-guidelines/australian-dangerous-goods-code
2 Victoria Department of Education, Chemical Management, Victoria Department of Education website, https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/safetyhw/Pages/chemicalmgt.aspx
3 Queensland Department of Education, Chemicals and hazardous substances, Qld Department of Education website, https://education.qld.gov.au/initiatives-and-strategies/health-and-wellbeing/workplaces/safety/hazards
4 Science ASSIST, 2018, Chemical Management Handbook for Australian Schools – Edition 3, Science ASSIST website, https://assist.asta.edu.au/resource/4193/chemical-management-handbook-australian-schools-edition-3
5 Science ASSIST, 2016, Question: Chemical storage, Science ASSIST website, Chemical storage | ASSIST (asta.edu.au)
6 Science ASSIST, 2023, Question: Chemical Storage Timeframes, Science ASSIST website, Chemical Storage Timeframes | ASSIST (asta.edu.au)
7 Science ASSIST, 2015, Question: Chemical stores - legislation and requirements, Science ASSIST website, Chemical stores legislations and requirements | ASSIST (asta.edu.au)
8 Science ASSIST, 2023, Question: Storing magnesium ribbon, Science ASSIST website, Storing magnesium ribbon | ASSIST (asta.edu.au)