Every construction site is home to a long list of dangerous chemicals, from adhesives, sealants and cleaning agents to potentially explosive materials. Preventing accidents involving these hazardous substances goes beyond good handling alone. How you store them is just as important as how you use them. Improper storage can result in serious incidents like fires, explosions or leaks. That’s why careful chemical management isn’t just a precaution – it’s essential for keeping your workers safe and protecting the environment. So, how can you safely store chemicals during your project? And what processes should you take to ensure your site complies with the law?
Chemical Storage Regulations
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 forms the foundation of workplace health and safety, placing a duty on you, as an employer, to protect the health, safety and welfare of your employees. Specifically addressing the handling, storage and use of hazardous substances, including chemicals, is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Keeping your employees safe requires you to keep all hazardous substances stored properly. Following the COSHH storage requirements will make sure that all chemicals on-site are stored safely, minimising the risk of accidents that could cause injuries, ongoing health issues, damage to property or even death. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe penalties, including fines and legal action. So, what practical steps can you do as an employer to meet these requirements?
Safe Practices for Storing Hazardous Materials on Construction Sites
Choose Sensible Storage Areas
Choosing an appropriate chemical storage area on-site is essential for ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory requirements. It’s best to set up a designated chemical store and refuelling area in a quiet spot away from high-traffic zones. This not only minimises the risk of collisions with vehicles, machinery and personnel but also avoids the need to relocate the store during the project, which can introduce additional risks and logistical challenges. Other considerations include:
- Keeping chemicals away from sources of ignition, like welding sparks, and designated smoking areas to prevent accidental fires or ignition of flammable substances.
- Storing chemicals away from drains and watercourses to avoid contaminating water sources in case of spills or leaks.
- Providing adequate weather protection to shield chemicals from sunlight, rain, snow or extreme temperatures to maintain chemical stability and integrity.
- Ensuring easy access for emergency services vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances, in case of emergencies.
Additionally, access to the chemical store should be restricted to authorised personnel only and securely locked when not in use to reduce the risk of vandalism. It’s important to remember that, as the owner or manager, you’re responsible for any pollution caused by the substances, even if it results from vandalism or unauthorised access.
Segregate Certain Types of Chemicals
COSHH regulations require employers to assess risks associated with hazardous substances and implement control measures, including segregation. Preventing incompatible chemicals from coming into contact with each other reduces the risk of dangerous reactions, including fires, explosions and the release of toxic gases. While there are no specific distance requirements mandated by COSHH regulations in terms of physical separation, the segregation should be based on the properties of the chemicals and the potential risks they pose when in close proximity with each other. For example, storing incompatible chemicals in separate, clearly designated storage areas or cabinets helps prevent accidental mixing during handling or storage. According to COSHH, the following types of chemicals should be segregated:
- Flammable liquids (e.g. gasoline, paints and adhesives) should be stored away from oxidising agents (e.g. chlorates and nitrates) and ignition sources to prevent fires and explosions.
- Strong acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid) and bases (e.g. sodium hydroxide) shouldn’t be stored together to avoid chemical reactions that can produce heat, gases or corrosive substances.
- Toxic substances (e.g. pesticides, certain cleaning chemicals and some metals) should be isolated to prevent exposure risks.
Ensure All Substances are Appropriately Labelled
Each chemical should be stored in the correct containers which must be clearly labelled with details including its contents, hazards, handling instructions and emergency contacts. Labelling chemicals with internationally recognised hazard symbols also helps workers quickly understand how to handle substances safely, especially during emergencies. Hazardous substances should be kept in their original containers whenever possible. If not, they must be transferred to clearly labelled containers suitable for their contents, ensuring they are never repurposed for food or drink. Following storage instructions from product labels or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is crucial to prevent chemical reactions or instability.
Provide Correct Training
If entering the chemical storage area is part of their responsibilities, your employees must be trained on safe entry procedures. This includes understanding access control measures, such as locking and unlocking the area and wearing the necessary PPE to protect against potential hazards inside. Training must also cover emergency procedures in case of spills, leaks or accidents within the chemical storage facility. Additionally, training should emphasise the importance of reading and understanding chemical labels. Employees should learn how to interpret hazard symbols, identify the contents and risks of each chemical and follow the storage and handling instructions provided on the labels or Safety Data Sheets (SDS). By providing this training, you can ensure that your employees have the knowledge and skills necessary to handle chemicals safely during storage operations. This reduces the risk of incidents and injuries and promotes a culture of safety and compliance within the workplace. Regular refresher courses and updates on safety protocols are also essential to keep employees informed about changes in procedures or new guidelines for chemical handling.
Maintain an Emergency Response Plan
A well-structured emergency response plan is essential for managing chemical-related incidents on construction sites. This plan provides clear procedures for handling spills, leaks, fires and other emergencies involving hazardous substances to protect workers and minimise damage. The plan should include immediate actions, including the steps for safely evacuating the area, where to locate spill kits to clean up spills quickly and effectively and clear guidelines on when and how to contact emergency services. It should also designate specific assembly points where employees should gather after evacuating to ensure everyone is accounted for, as well as the guidelines for providing first aid to anyone exposed to hazardous chemicals. A well-prepared team can significantly reduce the risks and impacts of hazardous substance emergencies. Regular drills should be conducted so that employees are familiar with these procedures and know their roles during an emergency. By maintaining and regularly updating an emergency response plan, construction site managers can effectively manage chemical incidents, protect their workers and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Enhancing Chemical Storage Safety with FHOSS
Essentially, proper chemical storage on construction sites is essential for protecting individuals and the environment from the risks associated with hazardous substances. FHOSS’s innovative illumination solutions provide clear, visible guidance that enhances overall safety and compliance. FHOSS CAST Intelligent Projectors are fully customisable, with the potential to provide clear, illuminated signage and hazard symbols directly onto chemical storage containers and shelves. This ensures that all substances are easily identifiable, even in low-light conditions, helping workers quickly recognise and handle chemicals appropriately. By integrating FHOSS CAST Intelligent Projectors into your chemical storage plan, you can create a safer, more organised work environment. To discover how FHOSS can help make your construction site safer, contact our team today.