Canadian Lab Equipment Safety Guidelines & Chemical Storage

Safety Guidelines

• Laboratory space should be physically separate from personal desk space, meeting space and eating areas.
• Workers should not have to go through a laboratory space where hazardous materials are used in order to exit from non- lab space for instance with different flooring.
• Cabinets for chemical storage should be of solid, sturdy construction. Hardwood or metal shelving is preferred. Some may require ventilation.
• Materials of construction should be carefully considered where corrosive materials will be stored, e.g., corrosive-resistant liners or trays on shelves, location away from copper fittings, etc.
• Allow space within the building for any central chemical and biological or radioactive waste storage needs.
• Wall shelving should have heavy-duty brackets and standards and should be attached to studs or solid blocking. For office spaces, bookcases are preferable to wall-mounted shelving.
• Flammable liquid storage needs should be defined in advance so that the laboratory may have space for a suitable number of flammable storage cabinets. Per the Uniform Fire Code, quantities greater than 10 gallons of flammable liquids must be stored in a flammable liquid storage cabinet, unless safety cans are used. No more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids in safety cans may be stored outside a flammable liquid storage cabinet.

• Flammable liquid storage is not allowed below grade or near a means of egress, per the Uniform Fire Code.

• Flammable storage cabinets should not be vented unless there is a significant odor or vapor control concern.
• Laboratories using corrosive liquids should have ample storage space low to the floor, preferably in low cabinets, such as under fume hoods.
• Allow space for the variety of waste collection containers needed. Depending on the laboratory, these may include laboratory trash, broken glass, sharps, recyclable containers, used oil, medical waste, and/or radioactive waste.
• Laboratories using compressed gases should have recessed areas for cylinder storage and be equipped with devices to secure cylinders in place.
• All laboratories should have storage space for supplies and combustible materials, e.g., boxes of gloves, spill kits, boxes of centrifuge tubes, etc.