A Guide for Laboratories and Industries: Chemical Safety Standards

Laboratories, manufacturing plants and research facilities entail chemical handling operations as part of their daily activities. A safe work environment depends on compliance with chemical safety standards, which safeguard workers from identified hazards, including fires, toxic exposures, and environmental damage. Chemical safety standards ensure both personnel protection and direct operational practices needed to manage storage, handling and emergency preparedness.

What Are Chemical Safety Standards?

Standards for chemical safety serve as regulatory systems that protect people from the potential dangers of dangerous substances. All necessary procedures, ranging from storage methods to air cleaning, and emergency preparedness to spill handling, fall within chemical safety standards. Organization compliance with these standards helps maintain best practices while also protecting staff members and ensuring environmental protection.

Key International Standards and Their Roles in Chemical Safety:

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 1910)
   OSHA 1910 outlines the U.S. workplace safety regulations across various industries. OSHA 1910.106 establishes the safety guidelines for the proper management of both combustible and flammable chemicals. Every chemical storage system requires appropriate containment solutions, including labeled containers, that must be grounded. It also needs adequate ventilation systems and a correctly designed storage cabinet. Laboratory and industrial facilities benefit from compliance as it helps to decrease fire threats while supporting safe chemical operation procedures.

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 30)
   NFPA 30 outlines the fire protection standards for safe flammable and combustible liquid storage. The standard establishes precise rules regarding containers, storage methods, and framework organization that minimize fire occurrences and their severity. This standard influences elements necessary for chemical safety, including safety cabinets, extinguishers and chemical type segregation.

3. EN 14470-1 (European Standard for Fire Safety Cabinets)
   The design and construction aspects of fire-resistant storage cabinets that store flammable substances are specified in EN 14470-1. The European fire safety standard sets specifications for cabinets to last 30, 60, or 90 minutes. After this period, they must remain fireproof while also specifying stringent testing protocols. Safe storage cabinets need closing mechanisms, sealed joints, and built-in ventilation, along with their door components.

4. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 (Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment)
   This regulatory standard outlines the performance criteria and usage requirements for chemical exposure emergency showers and eyewash stations. It establishes a 10-second accessibility rule, along with flow rate requirements and temperature parameters, to ensure effective decontamination processes. All facilities must perform regular inspections and functional tests on these particular units.

5. REACH and CLP (EU Regulations on Chemicals)
   Under European Union regulations, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging) establish rules for chemical safety and communication, as well as labeling requirements for handling chemicals. The required facility procedures under such laws require maintaining safety data sheets, using standard pictograms, and categorizing the storage of hazardous substances. 

6. ISO Standards (International Organization for Standardization)
   The ISO platform provides globally established best practices related to safety, quality, and environmental management standards. The ISO guidelines shape assessments of chemical risks,  laboratory functioning, and the development of emergency readiness procedures. In addition to more specific frameworks, ISO provides facilities with basic guidelines for chemical management, chemical emergencies, and equipment maintenance operations.

Best Practices to Maintain Compliance

Equipping your facility with the right tools is just the first step. Here are some practical ways to stay compliant and safe:

• Match your storage cabinets to specific chemical groups, such as flammables, acids, toxics, etc.

• Perform regular maintenance and airflow checks on fume hoods.

• Ensure fire extinguishers are charged, accessible, and properly labeled.

• Place containment pallets under all chemical drums and bulk storage containers.

• Schedule regular testing of emergency showers and eyewash stations.

• Train personnel in the use of equipment and emergency response.

Safety Compliance Related Equipment

Safety criteria can only be met by implementing certified, top-notch quality equipment. For over 40 years, ECOSAFE, as a respected Swiss manufacturer, has developed a complete line of products that exceed standards in chemical storage and manipulation. Multiple regulations have specific requirements that can be fulfilled through the implementation of ECOSAFE solutions.

Safety Storage Cabinets

Designed for storing flammable, corrosive, toxic, or pesticide chemicals, ECOSAFE’s cabinets comply with EN 14470-1 and OSHA 1910.106. These cabinets feature fire resistance, proper ventilation, and robust containment for accidental leaks or vapors.

Ductless Fume Hoods

Ideal for laboratories without external ducting systems, ECOSAFE’s ductless fume hoods use advanced filtration to capture chemical vapors, offering safe air recirculation. These units help maintain indoor air quality and reduce operator exposure.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire risks in chemical environments demand a fast response. ECOSAFE supplies fire extinguishers designed for specific chemical classes, ensuring readiness for Class B, C, or D fire scenarios.

Containment Pallets and Spill Control

ECOSAFE provides containment pallets and spill control kits to prevent environmental contamination and floor hazards. These are essential for facilities storing liquid chemicals in drums or bulk containers, meeting requirements such as EPA SPCC and equivalent regulations.

Emergency Body and Eye Showers

When accidents occur, every second counts. ECOSAFE’s emergency shower and eyewash units meet ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standards, offering rapid response options for chemical splashes or exposure incidents.

Who is ECOSAFE?

ECOSAFE is the first Swiss supplier of safety products to offer a wide-ranging catalog, from storage solutions to hands-on safety systems. Their products are built on decades of experience serving universities, industrial plants, and laboratories worldwide. With the launch of their latest catalog, ECOSAFE now offers even broader solutions tailored to evolving safety standards and customer needs.

MSE Supplies is proud to be your one-stop shop for chemical safety. In addition to offering the complete ECOSAFE product line, we also provide a wide range of safety gear, lab equipment, and essential compliance tools that help you build and maintain a fully protected workspace. Whether you’re outfitting a university lab, a semiconductor cleanroom, or a chemical production facility, we have the tools and support to help you succeed.

Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about creating a culture of safety that protects your team, your property, and the environment. With ECOSAFE’s industry-leading product range, you can meet today’s strictest chemical safety standards with confidence.

Stay compliant with confidence! MSE Supplies is proud to offer ECOSAFE’s complete line of chemical safety products. Whether you need storage solutions, emergency equipment, or air filtration systems, we’re here to help you meet regulatory standards and ensure a safer working environment.

References:

1. 1910.106 - Flammable liquids. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.106 
2. NFPA 30 Code Development. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-30-standard-development/30?utm 
3. BS EN14470-1 Fire resistance. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.fireandsafetycentre.co.uk/blogs/safety-storage/bs-en14470-1-fire-resistance?srsltid=AfmBOopdhoPjY-TEQgQxLK3hbVAuouOsIfJcZliteBod-BQFkzc6N4ot&utm 
4. Legislation - ECHA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://echa.europa.eu/legislation 
5. Kelechava, B. (2024, July 26). ANSI Z358.1-2014: Emergency Eyewash & Shower Standard. The ANSI Blog. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://blog.ansi.org/2018/07/emergency-eyewash-station-shower-ansi-z358-1/?utm 

ISO - chemicals. (2020, January 13). ISO. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from https://www.iso.org/sectors/materials/chemicals