Why a chemicals inventory is a vital tool for your laboratory relocation
22/02/2021 / Dangerous goods / posted by Megan Gallacher
If your laboratory relocation includes chemicals, a detailed inventory of all the substances being moved is essential.
Some of the chemicals involved in moves can be volatile and pose a safety risk. It is vital that the team carrying out the relocation process know exactly what substances they will be handling and what conditions they must be kept in while in transit.
At Aport, our clients are asked for full details of any chemicals as soon as possible so our team can fully prepare for the relocation. Once we have this information, we can assign team members who are ADR-trained (able to handle the international transport of dangerous goods) and arrange for suitable ADR vehicles if required.
It also gives our staff the opportunity to prepare all the necessary paperwork for the move, which can be time-consuming, especially if the relocation involves a country outside the UK. It is helpful if we know as much information as possible when we are giving a quote for the cost of the project so we can accurately price the work involved in the move.
Our team will make a detailed inventory of everything which needs to be moved during the relocation. This is useful for working out what needs to be packed and what can be left behind or safely disposed of.
What does the inventory need to include?
A chemical inventory should include the following information for each substance:
- The chemical name
- The type of container it is in and its capacity
- Its hazard class
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – technical documents which include detailed information on controlled products, including a hazard evaluation relating to handling and storage and what procedures must be followed in the event of exposure.
Aport will pass the information contained in the chemicals inventory to our dangerous goods safety advisor (DGSA), who will make sure the dangerous goods are separated from other items involved in the move and offer advice on how they should be packed and labelled.
Before each relocation, we order bespoke specialist UN-approved packaging to suit the exact requirements of the move. This specialist packaging can take up to seven working days to arrive as it is tailormade for each project and cannot be used again due to a potential risk of contamination.
Dangerous goods notes are written up to give comprehensive packaging instructions to our crews to make sure all items are handled and packed correctly to minimise risk.
It is also important to make sure all paperwork is completed and signed off by the DGSA and ADR driver before the relocation takes place.
International relocations can take longer to prepare for as all chemicals must be declared to customs as well as the ferry company or airline. This involves a greater amount of paperwork which must be prepared and completed well in advance of the relocation itself.
Having your own detailed chemical inventory can speed up the relocation process and ensure the move goes smoothly. Aport is able to handle chemical moves booked at the last minute but, in these cases, there must be a comprehensive inventory ready to go to ensure our highly skilled team have all the information they need.
To discuss your own relocation and find out how Aport can help, call our team on +44 (0)1257 676006 or email sales@aportglobal.com.