COSHH Storage

Hazardous substances need storing so that exposure is prevented or controlled. In practice that usually means a lockable steel cabinet with a liquid-tight sump to contain spills and leaks, and clear identification of what is inside. Flammable liquids carry additional requirements, so check what applies to your substances.

The sump needs to be large enough to contain a spill from the containers stored above it. Sizing rules are set out in guidance and vary with the quantity and type of substance, so work it out from the containers you actually intend to store rather than by cabinet size.

Cabinets are commonly colour coded by content — yellow for flammables, red for petroleum, white for first aid, and blue or grey for general hazardous substances. It is convention rather than a legal requirement, but it is what staff and inspectors will expect to see.

Keep cabinets clear of escape routes and ignition sources, and do not store incompatible substances together. Check the safety data sheets — storing oxidisers alongside flammables is a common and serious mistake.