2.1 Handling of Nitrocellulose

• Nitrocellulose must not be allowed to become dry in any circumstances.
• Any waste nitrocellulose should be collected at once, full/wetted with water and kept inside a closed container in a designated place for disposal.
• Before transferring nitrocellulose drums to the warehouse it is to be ensured that drums are properly packed and no loose nitrocellulose is sticking anywhere in the drums. While transferring drums in trailers, the vehicle should be driven very slowly.
• It is preferable to consume an entire drum at one time by the user for any preparations. Part filled nitrocellulose drums should not be kept in the warehouse. If this cannot be avoided, the drums should be properly sealed and used at the next opportunity.
• Partially used drums should have proper damping content. In case nitrocellulose is partially dry, add required quantity of damping medium. Keep the mouth of the polythene liner properly tied. Leftover nitrocellulose from a particular grade should be used immediately with the next lot.
• Solvent wet nitrocellulose exhibits the same degree of handling hazard as do flammable liquids. Care should be taken to eliminate the possibility of ignition from struck sparks, frictional heat, flame or static electricity while handling solvent damped nitrocellulose.
• Solvent wet nitrocellulose is a free flowing material that can generate static electricity while being poured from the drum. All equipment shall be earthed suitably.

• Nitrocellulose drums should not be rolled or dragged on concrete, steel or any other hard floor/surface. Hand trolleys should be used for shifting drums from one place to another. While handling, drums should not be allowed to bump into one another.
• Drums containing nitrocellulose must not be allowed to fall during loading/unloading from vehicles. The preferred method of loading drums onto and from a truck is when the loading/unloading platform is at level with the truck floor.
• Drums should never be transported in horizontal position. It should be transported as they are stored i.e. vertically with lids up.
• Non-ferrous tools should be used while opening nitrocellulose. drums
• Covers of nitrocellulose should fit tightly and should always be kept in place to prevent drying due to evaporation of solvent.

• Ensure drums have been reversed adequately before sampling.
• Use a proper sample which will collect sample from the entire section of the drum length to get a representative sample. Collect samples from different places and make a composite sample.
• Do not collect samples from top only as this will give misleading result.

• Wet down and sweep up all spilled nitrocellulose promptly.
• Place wet sweepings in a covered metal waste container and keep wet with water. Do not accumulate waste nitrocellulose. Try to distroy it daily.
• If daily destruction is not possible and waste nitrocellulose has to be stored periodically check the contents to ensure it is fully wet. If necessary add water to the contents.