The Hazards of Hazardous Materials

In order to safely and properly handle and store hazardous materials, it is important to know the hazards of those materials. In a warehouse, there can be any number of hazardous materials that may be stored. They are generally assigned to one or more of the following classifications.

• Flammable Liquid - any liquid having a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combustible Liquid - any liquid having a flash point between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit and the liquid produces enough vapors to ignite if exposed to an ignition source.
• Flammable Solid - a substance that can cause a fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical changes and, when ignited, will burn so vigorously that it creates a hazard.
• Oxidizer - a substance that readily yields oxygen to stimulate the combustion of organic matter.

• Corrosive - a liquid that corrodes steel (SAE 1020) at a rate greater than 0.250 inches at a test temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit or has a pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5.
• Organic Peroxide - an organic compound containing the chemical bond, oxygen joined to oxygen.
• Poison - a substance so toxic that it presents a risk to life or health.
• Compressed Gas - a substance in gas or liquid form contained in a vessel under pressure. This includes cylinders, lecture bottles, and aerosol cans. These substances may be flammable, non-flammable, or poisonous.

• Cryogenics - substances that are extremely cold such as liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, and dry ice. These substances may also become asphyxiation hazards if spilled in non-ventilated areas.
• Radioactive - any material having a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram (uCi/g).
• Biomedical - tissues, organs, and blood from humans and primates.

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