Storage and Handling of Materials

Storage and Handling of Materials

Materials used in the workshop may be classified as:
a)      corrosive,
b)      combustible or,
c)       non-combustible materials.
When dealing with any of these materials, care must be taken to avoid accidents associated with them.

Examples of corrosive materials are:
         i.            Sulphuric acid,
       ii.            Killed spirits such as zinc chloride acid,
      iii.            Hydrochloric acid.

All acids must be treated as dangerous and should be stored and handled very cautiously. For instance, sulphuric acid causes painful and serious burns if it gets on the skin and, as such, proper protective clothes such as gloves and aprons must always be worn when working with acids. To avoid explosions during mixing, always add acid to water and not vice versa.
Other materials regularly used in the workshop are highly flammable or combustible. They are:
         i.            petrol,
       ii.            kerosene,
      iii.            methylated spirit.

These should be stored and handled very carefully so that accidental fires are avoided. They should be stored in clearly labelled containers and possibly with warnings. Fires from them are fierce and may cause severe burns or death to many people. Besides, a fire can destroy the whole workshop, including expensive equipment, the tools housed in the building and the building too!

Other materials used in an electrical shop, although less flammable, must be protected from high temperatures. Electric cables insulating materials such as rubber and polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C.) will easily be destroyed by fire. When working on cables and wires using a naked flame, safety precautions must always be taken.

Materials such as metal bars, pipes, tube and asbestos which are heavy and sometimes long can pose danger to people when stored or handled carelessly. The storage of these materials must be done in such a way that they do not obstruct gangways. Asbestos, though non-combustible, must be handled with great care since inhaling asbestos may cause lung cancer. Asbestos, must, hence, be treated as a very dangerous material.
When using any material, always be sure of the safe method of handling it.  There are dangers associated with the way some materials are heated or used. Knowledge of the behaviours or characteristics of various materials under different conditions of use and storage is essential in order to handle them without harm.