2017 GNYADA Membership Directory

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

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.

HOT TOPICS

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.

2017

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 71