How to Properly Store These 3 Manufacturing Materials

May 27, 2021

Regardless of the products you provide and the industry your business serves, you probably have some manufacturing material that requires special handling and proper storage. The fact is that improper storage of some materials, especially those that are hazardous in some way, can ultimately cause more problems for a business, resulting in dangers, extra expenses in cleanup and injury or death.

Keep reading to learn about three common manufacturing materials and what you need to do with them.

1. Flammables: Liquids and Gases

To jump right into the fire, let’s talk about flammable materials. Hazmat School recommends following the general codes of your workplace that focus on fire, electrical and building codes. By referring to prescribed handling and storage codes, you’ll find it easier to build or buy the appropriate storage space.

The reason it’s so important to refer to local fire codes is that the law determines where these hazardous liquids can go, based on research and experience relayed by business owners, fire professionals and other emergency officials. The primary ways to store these materials include:

• Constructing metal containers that do not affect the liquids.
• Keeping them in pressure-safe containers with appropriate labels.

Finally, it’s crucial to consider leak prevention, as these materials are often used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Choose seals like Viton fluorocarbon o-rings for potentially dangerous materials intended for fuel-handling systems, high-temperature/low-compression set applications, vacuum service and chemical exposure scenarios.

2. Foods and Other Precious Perishables

Restaurant owners, food manufacturers and grocers all need to protect the food supply in the interest of their customers and the public. Safety Culture recommends that you form a food safety team to assess the various food production materials in your facility at any time.

Develop a schedule that clearly shows when certain fresh foods will go into production and what materials are used to produce them to ensure that they are available and safely stored until it is time to put them to use. Sesotec further recommends that you develop and document your production schedule and all the materials you use that come into contact with foods.

3. Machinery and Equipment

Machinery and equipment, like forklifts, loaders and excavators, are essential for your manufacturing process. Improper handling and storage of these items when they aren’t in use is just as dangerous as hazardous materials. Here are a few steps to safely store machinery and equipment:

• Keep them in a safe location, protected from authorized access or use.
• Shield them from inclement weather by keeping them under a shelter.
• Do not leave them in areas that impede pedestrian or road traffic, such as sidewalks, walkways or driveways.
• Ensure that all equipment is turned off when not in use.
• Inspect the seals regularly where leaks are possible, and replace seals as needed.

Keep Your Manufacturing Materials Safe to Keep Production Running Smoothly

By looking at these various materials, you might see some resemblance to what you need to store properly. Use this advice to safely store any flammable gases or liquids, food handling materials or essential machinery and equipment to keep everyone safe and your business productive and thriving.