What safety data we can help you request
If you are using wash-up solutions, fountain solutions, plate processors or other chemistry in your pressroom, you need the correct safety data before the product is opened or decanted. Our team in Industria West can help you identify the item, match it to the right handling notes and arrange the information you need for site use. This is useful for factories, finishing rooms and smaller print shops that keep stock on hand for daily production.
For sites in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Randburg, Roodepoort, Midrand and Germiston, we support routine requests through our contact form and can assist when a new drum, pail or cartridge comes into the building. If your staff rotate across shifts, keep one current copy on file in the store room and one in the production area.
How to store chemistry safely on site
Storage conditions matter, especially in summer heat when rooms can warm up quickly. Keep chemistry in the original container, sealed tight and off the floor. Do not place open containers near inks, paper dust or blanket wash waste. Humidity affects some products too, so a dry lockable room is better than a hot corridor or exposed pallet area.
- Store away from direct sun, heaters and ignition sources
- Keep lids closed and labels facing out for fast identification
- Separate acidic and alkaline products if they are used on the same site
- Use bunding or drip trays where spills could reach drains
- Rotate stock so older product is used first, not left standing for months
Steps for handling before mixing or use
Before any chemistry is mixed into a system, check the label, confirm the product name and make sure the operator has gloves, eye protection and access to clean water for rinsing. Never rely on smell or colour alone. A container may look similar to another item but behave very differently in the pressroom and on plate processors.
Where possible, measure first and add slowly. This helps avoid foam, splash back and waste. If your team is setting up a new press run, we can also help with chemistry balancing so the product strength suits the job and the plate room does not keep adjusting the same mix over and over.
- Read the label and safety notes before opening
- Confirm compatibility with your processor or wash system
- Use clean measuring tools only for that product family
- Never top up a container without knowing what was inside before
- Report spills immediately and isolate the area
Common risks in print shops and finishing rooms
Print operations face a few repeat issues: splashes during decanting, poor ventilation, mixed containers with missing labels and drums left standing near heat. In some facilities the main problem is not the chemistry itself, it is the way the product is stored after delivery. One missing label can slow production and create avoidable risk for the next shift.
If you are running offset or flexo work, ask for a check when you notice unstable colour, excess residue on plates or unusual machine build-up. Those signs can point to incorrect dilution or contamination. Our technical support lead, Willem van der Merwe, often assists clients with practical checks that save time and prevent repeat faults.
When to request updated safety information
Request updated information whenever the product changes, the supplier changes, or the job process changes. This also applies if you move to a new site in Industria West, Roodepoort or elsewhere in Gauteng, because storage conditions and waste handling may differ. If your team is unsure about a container that has lost its label, stop use until it is identified.
You should also ask for the latest information after long storage, after an incident, or before training new staff. A short review now is easier than sorting out a spill, an inspection issue or a production delay later.
How to get support from our team
Send a message through our contact form with the product name, container size, number of units and your site location. If you know the application, mention whether it is for plate processing, wash programmes, press startup help or production maintenance. That way the request lands with the right person and saves back-and-forth questions.
Our team includes Mandla Johannes Mokoena, Preshanthi Chetty, Thandiwe Khumalo, Jason Petersen, Dineo Seabi and Willem van der Merwe, so you can speak to the right person for sales, logistics, technical checks or support admin. We supply nationwide and work closely with print businesses that need practical answers, not guesswork.
