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Shipping, Labeling, Handling, and Storage
Handling
Handling - General
All persons involved in use and handling of ECH must be instructed and warned to guard against health and fire hazards. The work area should be posted with NO SMOKING or other appropriate warning signs as required by the operation. If leaks or spills occur, only properly trained and protected personnel should remain in the area. Leaking containers should be removed to the outdoors or to an isolated, well ventilated area, and the contents transferred to other suitable containers. Large spills should be diked and pumped into disposal vessels or containers. Residues and small spills should be removed with an absorbent, drummed, and sealed. Epichlorohydrin should not be permitted to enter drains or sewers where there is danger of vapors becoming ignited. Epichlorohydrin is heavier
than water and moderately soluble in water. Epichlorohydrin will sink and slowly dissolve in water if sufficient water is present.
EPICHLOROHYDRIN IS CLASSIFIED AS A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE UNDER THE CLEAN
WATER ACT. SPILLS OF A REPORTABLE QUANTITY WHICH ENTER SURFACE WATERS OR
ANY WATER COURSE OR SEWER ENTERING OR LEADING TO SURFACE WATERS MUST BE
REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER 800-424-8802. THE
"REPORTABLE" QUANTITY IS 1000 LBS (454 KG).
IN ADDITION, EPICHLOROHYDRIN HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE EPA UNDER THE
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT AS A HAZARDOUS WASTE IF IT IS
SPILLED, DISCARDED, OR INTENDED TO BE DISCARDED AS IS. THE EPA HAZARDOUS
WASTE NUMBER IS U041.
For the purpose of complying with Section 1910.178, locations classified as
hazardous locations due to the presence of epichlorohydrin shall be Class
1, Group C.
Drums, Metal
Handling
When a carload or truckload of drums containing epichlorohydrin is received, the truck doors or the doors on both sides of the car, as the case may be, should be opened to allow thorough ventilation of the vehicle before it is entered. The interior should be monitored for epichlorohydrin concentration to determine whether it is safe to enter. Each shipment should be examined for leaking drums.
Emptying
Drums should be opened in a well ventilated area.
Drums and fittings should never be struck with tools or other hard objects which may cause sparking.
To remove the plug from a drum of epichlorohydrin the operator should wear goggles and us a bung or plug wrench. The drum should be positioned with the bung up; the operator should stand to one side, and face away during the operation. After the plug starts to loosen, it should be given not more than one full turn. If internal pressure exists, it should be allowed to escape tot eh atmosphere; only then should the operator loosen the plug further and remove it.
The preferable method for emptying drums is by hand pump, or approved spark-proof electrical pumps. If drums are emptied by gravity, the faucets should be self-closing, and the bunghole fitted with a breather vent device. Pressure should not be used for emptying drums. The drum and the receiving container should be bonded electrically to prevent static electrical buildup and discharge.
Any container which has been used in epichlorohydrin service is hazardous whether full, partially full, or "empty." Residual epichlorohydrin vapor or liquid will still be present in emptied drums until the container has been thoroughly cleaned. Therefore, all safety precautions pertinent to the use and handling of epichlorohydrin must be observed when handling emptied epichlorohydrin containers.
Decontamination and Disposal
Emptied containers may still contain epichlorohydrin vapor or liquid residue and are highly dangerous. Concentrations of epichlorohydrin in air can fall within the explosive limits. The use of cutting or welding torches on "empty drums" can cause explosions and must be prohibited. Liquid residue can cause skin burns; vapor concentrations can greatly exceed permissible levels. Therefore, all safety precautions must be observed.
Before a container is discarded it should be decontaminated under the supervision of a safety engineer familiar with all the hazards (see Section 8.2.3). Metal drums must be completely drained and all openings (for bungs, plugs, etc.) must be closed tightly. DOT
regulations, Section 173.29f regarding return labeling, should be observed if they are to be shipped. The use of drums for other purposes is not recommended. After decontamination, they should be crushed or pierced before discarding to prevent reuse.
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