Safety, Storage, Shelf Life, Handling and Disposal

Raney Nickel Catalyst (Active) is highly pyrophoric when it gets dried up on exposure to air/ atmosphere/ oxygen. It should therefore always be kept under demineralised/ distilled water.
The containers of the catalyst should be stored in a cool and ventilated place protected from direct exposure to sunlight.
Protective gloves, shoes and goggles must be used while transferring catalyst from containers to the reaction vessel.
Hydrogen gas continuously evolves from the catalyst slurry. Smoking cigarette/ bidi and lighting matchstick/ lighter should be strictly prohibited while opening the containers of the catalyst.

The catalyst slurry should be manually stirred using a steel rod / spoon to restore it in suspension for easy and smooth transfer.
Care should be taken while transferring catalyst so as to avoid/ minimise spillage of the catalyst. skilled personnel should be employed for handling the catalyst.
In the event of spillage of small quantity, the spilled material may be deactivated by using a 0.5 % solution of potassium permanganate followed by flushing the area with sufficient water.
In the event of spillage of significant quantity, the spilled catalyst slurry should be collected back manually and put in a polythene bag thereafter be packed in a plastic or M.S.Container and retrieval of the spilled catalyst should be flushed with water. A 0.5 % solution of Potassium Permanganate [KMnO₄] may also be used as an additional measure.
In the event of contact with skin, the skin should be washed immediately with running water. Dry with a clean towel and apply a soothing ointment (viz soframycin).
Empty polythene bags and containers after transfer of catalyst should be washed profusely with water before scrapping them.
Great care should be taken in deciding temperature and pressure condition and selection of solvent for the hydrogenation reaction.

Nickel is a costly metal. Do not therefore discard even such of the spent Raney Nickel Catalysts which can not be reactivated any more.

Even such a material can fetch good money from the manufacturers of Nickel salts.