We’ve talked about transferring hazardous materials. Then how to store them. Let’s finish off by going over the rack/shelving types best suited for hazmat storage.

If you use dedicated rack for hazmat storage – Let this article remind you to give it a quick check. Just in case.

If your team doesn't store hazmat, or has it stored alongside other product – Share this article around as a reminder that hazmat can come in, and everyone should be familiar with its safe storage options.

Rack Wear & Tear Happens. When it Holds HazMat, Wear & Tear’s a Huge Risk.

The biggest concern for rack is always time. As time passes, vulnerabilities in rack become evident. A bad weld coming loose. A pallet slowly splitting.

This is a major concern for every storage facility. Now add hazmat's dangers on top!

In fact, the majority of hazmat accidents occur inside a storage facility. Just because a container's not moving doesn't mean it's safe.

To keep hazmat rack as stable as possible for as long as possible, we must all use extra caution. Say you're aware of a hazmat shipment coming in for storage. These are the questions to ask, and the best answers to choose.

First: What Kind of Rack to Use?

Standard pallet rack is often used for box & barrel containers. This will work in most situations as long as you take some precautions like the following.

1. Install a sump insert or containment berm below every rack space.
2. Use treated pallets. Some pallets can react to chemical leaks, corroding or cracking apart, if not treated.
   1. Check all pallets to make sure they’re rated for safe hazmat storage weight.
3. Add clear labeling of the material and where the safety items are.
4. Place a safety kit alongside the rack. We'll cover this again later.
5. Segregate different chemical types. More on this in the next section.

Specialized rack does exist for storing hazmat. It’s often all-steel racking with galvanized finish and chemical-resistant coating. It includes (or should include) sump inserts or trays and pre-treated pallets. If this is an option, by all means use it. It makes safety efforts much easier.

Either way, the rack protects the hazmat AND the team. Make sure it's up to the job.

Second: Where is the Rack?

The rack’s location affects hazmat in terms of temperature and reactivity. If you have temperature-sensitive materials, the rack must go in a temperature-controlled space.

Chemical storage must take into account which chemicals they are. Storing certain chemicals close to others is a recipe for disaster. Incompatible materials, if they combine via leaks or fumes, react to produce toxins—or explosions!

What if chlorine gas leaks into an area where people work? That’s potentially fatal. All it takes is one container, the wrong location, and time.

Third: What Safety Items Will You Need to Keep?

Depending on the hazmat, you may have to deal with: 

• Corrosive chemical spills
• Toxic fumes
• Weight on the rack causing support breaks
• Respiratory problems
• Violent reactions/explosions
• Fire

Accordingly, safety items should be stored on or beside the hazmat rack. Include spill kits, PPE, and extinguishers (type-dependent).

Here’s a rule of thumb: Even when the rack has spill protection, assume a spill will overflow onto the floor. Stock safety kits accordingly.

Fourth: How Will You Monitor the Rack?

Remember what we said about time? Most of our facilities use safety monitoring to keep an eye on our racks. This goes double for hazmat racks, especially if they’re integrated within a larger rack deployment.

In many cases, your typical monitoring tasks will address hazmat-related vulnerabilities. However, let’s add a few points to make sure nobody misses hazmat-specific warning signs.

• FIRST – Do regular rack inspections. Look for corroded spots, rust, or bending. Remove hazmat from the rack immediately if you see anything.
   
• SECOND – Check and re-check for chemical compatibility verifications. Are the containers still in the same place, or did someone move a container next to an incompatible chemical?  
   
• THIRD – Watch for red flags. Regardless of type, never store hazmat containers where any of these safety issues are present:
  • Rust on a beam
  • Bent joints or supports
  • Plain wooden pallets (not marked as hazmat-safe, which means they can react with some substances)
  • Missing/damaged anchor bolts
  • Bright discoloration (could indicate a leak)

Choose Strong Rack for HazMat, and Keep an Eye on It

This is the third and final article on safe hazmat transportation & storage. Like most product types, hazardous materials require their own standards for transport and monitoring. Starting with the proper rack type & safety precautions makes all other parts of that standard easier.

We hope your facility has everything it needs to move and keep hazmat safely! If not, please contact your local Forklifts Group to get the necessary equipment and/or training.

Until next month!
-The Forklifts Group Team

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