13 May 2025

How to Store COSHH Substances Safely at Work

Storing substances that could be hazardous to human health is a requirement by UK law. While many substances can be a risk, the good news is, when stored and used correctly they almost never do. In this blog, we take a look at good storage principles and types of cabinets and cages that can help you keep your workplace safe.

What harmful substances do I need to control?

The UK’s  COSHH regulations (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) seeks to manage and reduce risk for a range of substances that include chemicals, gases, dust, fumes, liquids, gels, powders and waste.

Whether the working area is an office, warehouse unit or agricultural shed, as a business owner and employer, you are required to prevent or reduce exposures by identifying health hazards, conducting risk assessments, providing control measures and making sure they are used.

 

How to Store Hazardous Substances

Substances are categorised as flammable, toxic, corrosive, poisonous, irritant or otherwise harmful.  There are limits to how much you can store and exposure and access should be limited to people who have had the appropriate training with defined procedures in place. All COSHH substances should have specific storage spaces.

Here are some recommendations following the COSHH regulations:

  • Volume counts - Store the MINIMUM amount of any substance that’s required for the job.  That aside, you can store a maximum of 50L of extremely flammable liquids in cabinets and bins, then a maximum of 250L of flammable liquids in a cage in a designated area.

  • Return to base - all COSHH materials should be returned to their secure storage as soon as the job has been completed.

  • Restrict access - anyone who has access to hazard storage should be trained and authorised personnel and cabinets or cages will also come with additional security features over-and-above the standard lock and key.  You can also choose to have fencing, welded metal mesh fencing, security alarms and access control systems.

  • Use appropriate containers - ideally all substances should be kept in their original containers.  If you need to use another container, it should be clearly labelled and fit-for-purpose. Never put hazardous substances in dual-use containers - let’s face it, you don’t want to drink anything nasty.

  • Instructions - follow them! Always follow the product’s chemical safety data sheet and any legislative requirements for handling the substance.

  • Keep Cool - ventilation and temperature are important.  Most substances should be shielded from the heat, sun or potential ignition sources.  Make sure any space has as much air as possible (either open-air, or ventilation system) to allow hazardous gases to dissipate.

  • Separation is safety - keep acid and alkalis separately and any chemical that could react with another should be at least 3m away.

 
COSHH Storage - How to Pick the Right Cabinet

When purchasing new cabinets, they should be compliant with HSE (Health & Safety Executive) COSHH regulations, this means you’ll know you’ve covered the minimum baseline for safety. COSHH cabinets are built to be fireproof, leakproof and secure.  Many are reinforced and have additional safety and security features depending on the product and the environment.  For easy identification and management, cabinets have a colour-code system.
 

  • Yellow - general COSHH cabinets - this could be for cleaning materials

  • White - corrosive products: acids and alkali. These products are highly corrosive and dangerous. Do not store them in the same cupboard!

  • Red - highly flammable substances, often containing drip trays and sumps.

  • Grey - harmful and irritant substances (skin, lung and eye irritation)

  • Blue - liquid gases and flammable liquids, cabinets will include built-in sumps, or choose blue steel mesh security cages for gas bottles.

  • Red & vented - used by agricultural and horticultural businesses for pesticides and agri-chemicals

In addition, many cabinets will also be fire resistant.  This is important for products that could explode given the right conditions.

Here are some examples:

Hazardous Substance Security Cupboards

 

Features include:

  • All welded steel structure for extra strength

  • 7 lever safe lock

  • Spill-retaining galvanised shelves

  • Fire classification EN 13501-1

  • Anti-bacterial paint

  • Heavy duty hinges and concealed fixings to prevent forced entry

  • Regulation labels

  • Integral liquid tight sump

Available now from £46.55 + VAT

Browse here

 

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