Proper chemical storage and handling can help protect you, your workers and your family.  Learn how to set up your chemical shed to minimise the risks of an accident, which records to keep and how to prepare for an emergency.  Depending on which chemicals and fuels you have, you may need to know about approved handlers, tracking or fuel tank regulations under HSNO.  You should also contact ERMA on 0800 376 234 for HSNO compliance information.

Your chemical shed

Location

It is important that your chemical store is in an area with good access and an easy exit.  The storage area should be sited away from:

• Drains.
• Watercourses.
• Wells and boreholes.
• Areas prone to flooding or low-lying land.
• Areas that present a fire risk such as haybarns and wood stacks.
• Living and working areas.

Construction

• Lockable.
• Preferably made of non-combustible materials and protected from direct light.
• Large enough to allow for the separation of incompatible chemicals.
• Fitted with shelves made of non-absorbent materials that are easily cleaned (e.g. steel shelves, sheet metal or mesh).
• Well ventilated.
• Equipped with flameproof electrical equipment (or the electrical service removed as a cheaper alternative) if flammable materials are stored.

Containment

Your chemical store should include some form of secondary spill containment, such as a concrete floor with a lip at the edges or a wall of pre-formed blocks.  Small volumes can be contained by putting the containers in a cut down drum.
You should make sure the chemicals you are storing will not react or eat through the materials of your secondary containment.

Other ways to contain spills include:

• Placing small bottles of chemicals in plastic bags.
• Storing small containers in cut-down plastic or steel drums.
• Using a sheet metal tray, with or without a liner
• Placing a tray under taps and nozzles to catch any drips or overflows.

Signage

Make sure your chemical storage areas are clearly labelled.  An agrichemical store should have an orange HAZCHEM 2WE Agrichemical sign, while fuel tanks and stores for flammables or explosives should be appropriately labelled (check your requirements with the ERMA hazardous substances compliance line 0800 376 234).  You can get these signs from your local rural supply store or look in the yellow pages under ‘safety equipment suppliers’.

Chemicals and chemical information

Chemical containers

If containers are sealed and in good condition, the chemicals inside pose little risk. Regularly check all containers so that any leaking or deteriorating containers are identified as soon as possible.

Leaking containers should be placed in an oversized container (ideally of the same material). Do not use soft drink bottles or containers usually used for storing food.

All containers should be fitted with lids to minimise the risk of spills.

Positioning of chemicals

Where you place chemicals in the store can reduce the risk of spills and accidents.

You should store:

• Chemicals on shelves rather than on the ground.
• Powder above liquids.
• Glass containers at low levels.

Make sure that reactive chemicals are stored separately, for example keep fertilisers away from weed killers. Do not store any oxidising or reducing agents such as pool chlorine with agrichemicals or fuels as they can react together. Your chemical supplier should provide you with information on chemical compatibility.

Labelling

It is common for the labels on old chemical containers to deteriorate. It is important that all chemicals, whether used or not, are labelled with the correct contents because unlabelled / unknown chemicals are harder to manage and will cost more to dispose of properly.

There are a number of ways that you can label containers. The important thing to remember is that it should be as permanent as possible.

You can do any of the following:

• Use a permanent marker or paint on the container. 
• Make a metal tag (from a drink can etc.) and write on it with a sharp metal object like a nail.
• Wire on a plastic tag and mark it with a felt pen.
• These identifying marks can then refer to detailed information held in your log book.

Record maintenance

It is a good idea to keep a log book of all the chemicals you have.  The easiest way to do this is to keep a copy of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all your chemicals in a folder.  Your chemical supplier should supply you with a copy of the SDS for each of your chemicals, and this should be free.  If you need another copy of your SDS, you can contact your chemical supplier, rep, phone the chemical company who make the chemical or download a copy from their website. 

SDS contain important information on:

• First aid
• Safety warnings
• Spill management
• Fire fighting
• Active and key ingredients

Prepare for an emergency

Equipment

There should be easy access to emergency equipment. For a small store this should include:

• A shovel.
• A broom.
• A fire extinguisher.
• Absorbent material such as dry sand, sawdust, vermiculite, or commercial absorbent materials.
• Protective clothing such as boots, gloves, respirator and eye protection
• A copy of your Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• A list of key people / phone numbers to contact in an emergency, such as 111, poison centre (24/7) 0800 764 766 (0800 poison), local doctor, vet, farm manager, neighbour or home number get help

Training

Environment Canterbury recommends that all agrichemical users attain as a minimum the Growsafe Introductory Certificate.

Further information on the use, storage and disposal of agrichemicals can be obtained from Growsafe™ and "Agrichemical User's Code of Practice" (New Zealand Standard 8409:2004).