Managing Risks with Purpose-Built Safety Cabinets

Workplace and environmental safety are never more imperative than in the lab. This requires the support of knowledge and expertise related to customer needs, protection standards, and regulations - such as the local ADG Code for Dangerous Goods.

“To ensure the best possible safety coverage on your work site, solutions need to cover the specific materials being used,” says Laura Holden, Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Part of this means securing chemicals in the correct storage facilities and segregating incompatible chemicals.”

As a trusted partner of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pratt Safety Systems has been manufacturing Dangerous Goods Safety Cabinets across Australia and the Pacific Region for over 40 years.

“They were the first company to introduce these cabinets into Australia, and continue to be a leading supplier in safety solutions,” continues Laura Holden. “Through our national supply network, we aim to work alongside premium manufacturers to provide labs with the best and most reliable products available.”

Leveraging on an extensive background liaising with safety councils, innovating in the industry, and advising national standards and regulations, Pratt Safety Systems has a firm grasp on the everyday requirement within laboratories. Harnessing this knowledge, they continue to develop adaptive technologies to meet the demands of an evolving safety framework.

The United Nations dangerous goods criteria stipulate that to prevent accidents to people, property, and the environment, all dangerous goods are subject to transport, workplace, storage, and consumer regulations. Section 3.2 of the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code lists hazardous chemicals that require specific storage and handling, including those often found in laboratory processes.

Managing the risk associated with flammable, corrosive, or oxidising substances can be achieved by using Pratt Safety Systems’ purpose-built laboratory Storage Cabinets. Designed to ensure total compliance and protect users, these self-closing, self-latching cabinets are available through Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Lab Safety portfolio.

Flammable storage cabinets

Many labs incorporate flammable or combustible liquids into their research. Flammable substances might include paint, kerosene, solvents, petrol, thinners, turpentine, and ethanol, in addition to combustable liquids such as diesel, linseed and pine oil. The 30L Flammable Storage Cabinet from Pratt Safety Systems features galvanised steel walls, overlapping door edging to prevent ingress of heat, external static earth connection, and a solvent-resistant powder coated finish.

Corrosive storage cabinets

If handled improperly, corrosive substances pose a risk to people and the work environment. Without the correct personal protective equipment, skin or eye contact can occur and cause rapid harm to human tissue. For this reason, chemicals such as acids, alkalis, caustics, sodium hydroxide solution, and hypochlorite solution must be stored in a secure environment to reduce potential hazards.

Pratt Safety Systems’ Corrosive Storage Cabinets are available from Thermo Fisher Scientific and are ideal for the storage of corrosive substances in liquid or solid form. They include a perforated, galvanised steel internal shelving, which is adjustable for optimum storage efficiency.

Oxidising agent storage cabinets

Oxidising materials – such as inorganic hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, inorganic perchlorates, and potassium nitrate - spontaneously evolve oxygen at room temperature, or with slight heating. The correct storage of these chemicals is paramount to maintaining their quality and a safe working environment.

The Pratt Safety Systems Oxidising Agent Storage Cabinets also feature robust steel walls and are a reliable solution for any lab handling these substance types. With a continual piano type door hinge and an automatic hydraulic release system, they are the most protective and convenient solution for labs to store oxidising agents.

Find out more about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s comprehensive range Lab Safety Supplies ›