ZOYET Safety Alert: Compliance in Hazardous Chemical Storage from the Perspective of Violation Cases

Case Review

At the end of 2023, a chemical reagent company was fined 140,000 RMB for irregularities in hazardous chemical storage, a case that once again sounds the alarm for the industry.

As a professional provider of hazardous chemical storage solutions, ZOYET is fully aware that any negligence in storage details may become the fuse of major safety accidents.

Case Replay: Illegal Acts and Potential Risks

The two violations identified in the company expose typical storage risks in the industry:

Violation 1: Lack of Specialized Warehouses

• Stored 30% hydrogen peroxide solution and 64% hydrazine hydrate in non-specialized warehouses
• In violation of Paragraph 1, Article 24 of the Regulations on the Safety Administration of Hazardous Chemicals
• Risk Analysis: Hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidant, is unstable and prone to decomposition, which may cause fires and explosions; hydrazine hydrate is toxic and flammable, which can enter the human body through the skin and respiration and damage internal organs.

Violation 2: Failure to Isolate Incompatible Materials

• Stored glacial acetic acid and hydrochloric acid without cut-off storage measures

In violation of Paragraph 2, Article 24 of the Regulations on the Safety Administration of Hazardous Chemicals

Risk Analysis: Mixed storage of different corrosive chemicals may trigger chemical reactions and release toxic gases.

Core Compliance Requirements for Hazardous Chemical Storage

1. Compliance of Storage Premises as the Foundation

Hazardous chemicals must be stored in specialized warehouses that meet the following requirements:

The establishment of warehouses must be approved by public security departments; unauthorized storage sites are strictly prohibited.

Keep away from densely populated areas such as canteens and meeting rooms.

Must not be located in underground or semi-underground structures.

Employee dormitories and rest rooms are strictly forbidden inside the warehouses.

2. Classified Storage as the Key

In accordance with the General Rules for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals in Warehouses (GB 15603-2022), hazardous chemicals must be managed by classification based on their hazard characteristics.

Three core storage methods:

Segregated storage: Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter between different materials in the same room or area.

Cut-off storage: Separate incompatible materials with partitions or walls in the same building or area.

Detached storage: Store materials in separate buildings or external areas far away from all structures.

Prohibited mixed storage of common incompatible material combinations:

Explosives and flammable liquids

Oxidants and reducing agents

Acids and alkalis

Flammable gases with oxidizing/ highly toxic gases

3. Quantity Control Cannot Be Ignored

Storage volume shall not exceed the maximum capacity approved by the safety facility design.

The storage capacity of intermediate warehouses should not exceed the one-day demand.

Highly toxic and explosive-precursor hazardous chemicals must be stored separately in specialized warehouses.

Implement the system of double persons for receiving/dispatching and custody.

ZOYET's Professional Recommendations for Enterprise Compliance Storage

1. Compliance Renovation of Storage Premises

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing storage premises to ensure they meet the standards of specialized warehouses. Immediately cease the use of areas that fail to meet the requirements and transfer hazardous chemicals to qualified locations.

2. Scientific Classification and Layout

Establish a complete list of hazardous chemicals, and formulate a scientific classified storage plan based on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and safety technical specifications. Adopt a clear identification system to ensure each type of chemical has a fixed and appropriate storage location.

3. Establish an Information Management System

• Implement a hazardous chemical storage information management system.
• Record inbound, outbound and inventory data in real time.
• Retain data for no less than 1 year.
• Realize inventory early warning and validity period management.

4. Standardize Daily Operation Procedures

• Strictly verify the product name, specification and quantity upon warehousing.
• Inspect the integrity of packaging and safety labels.
• Standardize stacking requirements: the width of the main passage is no less than 2 meters, and the distance between materials and walls is no less than 0.5 meters.
• All chemicals shall be elevated by no less than 10 centimeters except for those with special packaging specifications.

5. Special Management for Specific Chemical Categories

• Explosives: Store separately with segregation and quantity limits, and maintain a safe distance.
• Toxic/ corrosive chemicals: Store in a cool, ventilated and dry place with tight packaging.
• Compressed/ liquefied gases: Adopt segregated storage and conduct regular inspections of pressure vessels.
• Flammable chemicals: Strictly prohibit mixed storage with oxidants.

ZOYET's Professional Service Support

As a professional service provider in the field of hazardous chemical storage, ZOYET offers the following services for enterprises:

Compliance in hazardous chemical storage is not only a legal requirement but also a reflection of corporate social responsibility. Behind every violation case lies the risk of irreversible damage to personnel and the environment.

ZOYET advises enterprises: Do not regard storage compliance as a "cost", but as an "investment" to ensure the sustainable development of the enterprise.

Compliant Storage for Safe Development - ZOYET works with you to guard every safety line in hazardous chemical storage.