How to Avoid Hazards When Working with Triethylene Glycol

If your job requires you to work with triethylene glycol, you already know that you should follow proper safety procedures. Triethylene glycol is found in a wide variety of products including air conditioning systems, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid, and canned air sanitizer. While it's safe for use in those products, it can pose health risks when not handled properly. To ensure you're safe on your new job, here are four tips you should follow when handling triethylene glycol.

Store in a Safe Location

If you're going to be storing bulk quantities of triethylene glycol, it's important that you store it in a safe location. The best way to keep your triethylene glycol safe during storage is to designate a specific room for storing the liquid. Triethylene glycol should be stored in a cool, dry place, and away from direct sunlight and moisture. The area should also have adequate ventilation. If you don't have a designated storage room for the triethylene glycol, clear out a cool corner of your warehouse and use it for storage.

Don't Transfer from Original Container

When it comes to industrial uses, triethylene glycol is usually in large containers. It might be tempting to make the liquid easier to handle by dividing large quantities into smaller storage containers. Unfortunately, that's the worst thing you can do. First, the new containers may not be well-suited for storing hazardous materials. Second, the smaller containers won't be properly labeled, which means people coming in contact with the liquid may not know what it is. For maximum protection, never store triethylene glycol in anything other than the original containers.

Use Proper Procedures When Handling Triethylene Glycol

Triethylene glycol is used in products that are used everyday. However, it's still necessary to practice proper safety procedures when handling the liquid. Safety should begin before you handle the containers. Always wear heavy-duty gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when handling the containers to avoid getting the liquid on your hands. If any of the liquid should get on your skin, you should wash with soap and water immediately. If your skin develops a rash, or becomes inflammed, you should notify your site supervisor and visit a doctor as soon as possible. Because triethylene glycol can be harmful if inhaled, it's also important for you to wear a mask when handling the liquid.

If you're responsible for the handling and storage of teg at your place of business, use the tips provided here to ensure maximum safety.

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