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HOT TOPICS
2017
MEMBERSHIP
DIRECTORY
71
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID: THE STORAGE RULES
There are many questions about onsite storage of windshield washer
fluid at a dealership. Answers depend on what region of metro NY
you ‘re in.
UNIVERSAL RULES
All facilities should:
•
Store containers on spill pallets, or in a bermed or diked area, to
collect accidental spills
•
Avoid stacking drums/containers more than two feet high
•
Protect drums/containers from vehicular traffic
•
Store fluid in well ventilated areas
•
Avoid mixing windshield washer fluid with any other chemicals
OSHA regulations require all facilities to:
•
Clearly label containers of windshield washer fluid
•
Always keep the necessary documentation, such as Safety Data
Sheets (SDSs ), available to employees and inspectors
•
Train all employees on the hazards of the product
Windshield washer fluid is typically a mixture of water and methanol
- the latter, in high concentrations, can be toxic, flammable and
otherwise harmful to those who come into contact with it. The
concentration of methanol in windshield washer fluid varies
from manufacturer to manufacturer, but average concentration is
between 20-40%.
All counties can potentially
regulate windshield washer
fluid
differently.
If
your
dealership
is
located
in
Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam
or Orange counties - or if you
store the fluid in containers
larger than 55- gallon drums -
you should contact your local
regulatory agency or Walden
Associates at 516.624.7200
to assure that you are storing
chemicals properly.
STORAGE RULES FOR NYC,
NASSAU, SUFFOLK AND
WESTCHESTER:
New York City
Dealerships or service centers within
New York City’s five boroughs must
follow NYSDEC and NYCDEP regulations
regarding windshield washer fluid.
If your facility stores more than ten
lbs. of methanol, you must report the
windshield washer fluid to the city,
under the Community Right-to-Know
Program. (If your fluid has a 35%
methanol concentration, four gallons of
windshield washer fluid makes up 10 lbs.
of methanol.)
Nassau County
Nassau County dealerships must follow
NYSDEC and NCDH requirements: If a
facility has less than five drums totaling
less than 250 gallons of storage, the fluid
drum does not need to be registered, but
should be stored properly, as described
earlier. If a facility stores more than 185
gallons of fluid with more than a 1%
concentration of methanol, then the
facility would have to follow stricter
Chemical Bulk Storage regulations and
register all containers with NCDH.
Suffolk County
In Suffolk County, NYSDEC and
SCDHS regulations governing storage
requirements are similar to NCDH
requirements. Only if a facility has more
than five drums or more than 250 gallons,
must they register all drums. If they
store large amounts in tanks, they must
properly register the tank as well.
Westchester County
InWestchester, NYSDEC andWCDH
regulations simply state that all
containers must be stored properly, but
do not have to be registered.