Storage of agricultural and veterinary chemicals PDF (170 kb)

Introduction

Many agricultural and veterinary chemicals have hazardous attributes such as toxicity, corrosiveness or flammability. Consequently, they must be handled, stored and used with care. Correct storage of agricultural and veterinary chemicals is required to protect people, animals and the environment. Correct and secure storage also prevents theft and prolongs the shelf life of products.

The Australian Standard for the Storage and Handling of Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (AS 2507-1998) gives practical guidance for chemical storage. It can be ordered online from Standards Australia Limited at www.standards.org.au .

Storage of Class 6 and Class 8 Dangerous Goods

SafeWork SA administers the Dangerous Substances Act 1979 and Regulations 2002. Some agricultural and veterinary chemicals are classified under this legislation as Dangerous Goods because they are toxic, corrosive or flammable. Look for a dangerous goods class diamond on the product label.

This Dangerous Substances legislation regulates the storage of Class 6 (toxic) and Class 8 (corrosive) Dangerous Goods in SA. Requirements are specified for weather protection, security, segregation from other goods, containment of spillage, and signage. These requirements are good practice for storage of all agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

The SafeWork SA website www.safework.sa.gov.au provides further details about dangerous substance legislation.

Requirements for Chemical Storage

These will depend on the types and amounts of chemicals being stored. Commercial primary producers are likely to have different needs to home gardeners.

Location

For larger quantities of agricultural and veterinary chemicals, the preferred storage option is an isolated, stand-alone building only containing chemicals. (This is a requirement for a “flammables” store). There is less risk of contamination if any spills or accidents occur. A separate building also provides easier access for loading, unloading and dealing with an incident such as fire or a major spillage.

It is acceptable, though less preferred, to store chemicals in a partitioned section of a multipurpose building that is not used for human or animal habitation, eg farm shed. Small quantities of chemicals may be stored in a steel cupboard within a multipurpose building that is not used for human or animal habitation, eg garden shed. DO NOT keep agricultural or veterinary chemicals in the house.

Security

All chemical containers should be kept in storage when they are not being used. The chemical store should be locked when it is not attended. A storage area that is part of an enclosed multipurpose building, or a storage cupboard within such a building, should all be separately secure to prevent unauthorised access even when the rest of the building is open.

Weather Protection

The storage facility should fully protect chemicals from the weather. Chemical containers and their contents can be damaged by exposure to moisture, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Ventilation

There must be adequate ventilation to allow vapours to escape readily. Always aim for maximum ventilation whilst not compromising weather protection and security.

Containment

The storage facility should be located and constructed so that environmental damage is unlikely to occur. Spillage or leakage of agricultural and veterinary chemicals must be contained within the storage facility by one of the following means:

• An impervious floor resistant to chemical attack, eg concrete, with integrated perimeter bunding
• An impervious floor resistant to chemical attack, sloped to a collection area
• Portable bunding, eg plastic trays, etc. Bunding material must be resistant to chemical attack.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guideline Bunding and Spill Management provides further information. This can be downloaded from the EPA website: www.epa.sa.gov.au/pdfs/guide_bunding.pdf

Container Management

Read and comply with the Storage instructions on the product label. Always endeavour to keep agricultural and veterinary chemicals in their original containers with intact labels. The Agricultural and Veterinary Products (Control of Use) Act, 2004 prescribes requirements for a container for an agricultural chemical product. At all times the product be kept in a suitable container clearly marked or labelled with the name of the product and the name and concentration of each of the active constituents of the product. Food or drink containers must not be used to store agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Agricultural and veterinary chemicals must be stored in a manner that prevents accidental interaction or contamination. They must not be stored near foodstuffs, feedstuff packaging and medical supplies.

Other Recommended Features for a Chemical Store

Warning Signs

Warning signs are recommended to indicate that the facility is a chemical storage area. If Class 6 and/or Class 8 Dangerous Goods are stored, the Dangerous Substances legislation requires that the appropriate class label sign(s) and a sign prohibiting fire, naked flame and smoking must be displayed.

Water Supply

A water supply should be available for emergency use to wash the skin or flush the eyes of a person suffering from chemical contact. The emergency water supply should be capable of supplying at least 15 minutes of continuous flow. A water supply is also useful for general cleaning and washing.

First Aid Kit

A basic first aid kit and an eye module are recommended for any worksite where agricultural chemicals are present.

Fire Extinguisher(s)

A fire extinguisher approved for chemical fires should be readily available.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE), appropriate for the types of chemicals being stored, should be readily accessible but not located with the chemicals. Read the label for directions on PPE that is required when handling the product.

Spill Response Kit

There should be some readily available material and equipment to contain, absorb and decontaminate spilt chemicals. The most basic requirements are a container of absorptive material, eg dry soil or “kitty litter”, a shovel and an empty clean container that can receive chemicals from leaking containers.

Records

A store manifest and site plan should be available to emergency services in case of emergency, eg. fire. Keep a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all of the products that you have in storage.

Further information:

PIRSA Rural Chemicals Program
Phone: (08) 8226 0549
E-mail: PIRSA.Ruralchemicals@state.sa.gov.au
Website: www.pir.sa.gov.au/ruralchem

Last update: November 2007
Author: PIRSA Biosecurity - Rural Chemicals

Disclaimer

Use of the information in this Fact Sheet is at your own risk.  The Department of Primary Industries and Resources and its employees do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use, of the information contained herein in terms of its suitability, correctness, accuracy, reliability, currency or otherwise.  The entire risk of the implementation of the information which has been provided to you is assumed by you.  All liability or responsibility to any person using the information is expressly disclaimed by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources and its employees.