Proper chemical storage depends on segregation. Mixing incompatible materials will invariably result in catastrophe. While seemingly inert, otherwise stable chemical compounds can have adverse reactions with hazardous materials from different classifications. Most of these volatile interactions, however, are more subtle than we realize. Container degradation and leaks occur when corrosive materials seep through rusty barrels…
Not every resource is truly renewable. The fate of our fragile environments and ecosystems are predicated on the merits of conservation. As industry and profit soar to new heights, these metrics of progress and growth also encroach upon our pristine rivers and waterways. Chemicals that better our lives and accelerate manufacturing are also dangerous to…
Cooler minds prevail when investing in compliant chemical storage. With temperatures plunging below freezing across the nation, many companies are preparing to winterize chemical stockpiles. Although flammability and the tendency for dangerous chemicals to explode when exposed to high temperatures are some of the most common concerns when it comes to chemical storage, colder weather…
New Regulations Look to Curtail Drinking Water Contamination Industrial tycoons remain on edge as they await the direction of new legislation aimed at conservation. With each new presidential administration, we can expect attempts at sweeping industry reform to satisfy environmental concerns. Many of these reforms look to roll-back or supersede policies of previous administrations. President…
They say a man’s home is his castle, but what use is a castle if it’s not well protected. And we all know that a roof is the crowing achievement to any well-built home. Since the Chinese first used clay tiles to line their roofs, engineers have sought ways to protect their homes’ most vulnerable…
We are always just one errant spark away from complete chaos. Just like driving a car down a highway, we remain mere inches from road median and oncoming traffic. One distracted gaze or aversion in thought can lead us into a deadly collision. Daily flirtation with destruction is just one of life’s weird juxtapositions. So…
In maximizing profit margins, most companies are obsessed with transforming raw materials into a finished product. All that matters is the bottom line. Along the way, product engineers can often overlook the insidious and dirty nature of manufacturing. Pollutants and contaminants are the byproducts that we don’t routinely think about during the manufacturing stage. If…
The stakes for improper chemical storage have never been higher. As part of the proposed Build Back Better Act, OSHA fines for repeated violations could increase to $50,000 from $9,753 and the maximum to $700,000 from $136,532. The proposed hike comes from the House Education and Labor Committee as an effort to crack down on…
Warehouses are the nerve center of any smooth-running manufacturing plant. Massive stockpiles of inventory and raw materials await distribution under massive steel rafters that support these tremendous storage facilities. While warehouses may look like any other large industrial complex, they support the day-to-day operations and distribution of products. As the base point for assembly lines,…
Synthetic resins are the predominate precursor chemical used in composite manufacturing. With the help of exothermic, or heat-generating reactions, resins can form powerful chemical compounds that are most commonly used as seals, additives and adhesives. Resin systems generally fall under two categories: thermosetting and thermoplastic. Thermosets are far more prevalent in industrial application. These resins…