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GUIDE FOR STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES Page 1 of 4
Purpose
This document provides guidance on the safe storage of hazardous substances in conjunction with
the Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods Management procedure.
Scope
The information supplied in this document is aimed at all Company staff but will be of most benefit to
research, laboratory, stores and cleaning staff.
Guidelines
Storage of Hazardous substances poses many different risks in particular with the storage of different
classes of substances together. There needs to be sufficient distances between them to eliminate the
risk of fire, explosion, or accumulation of toxic gases or vapours from a leak or spillage, etc. A full risk
assessment needs to be conducted to ensure the safety of all personnel is not put at risk by the
incorrect storage of substances.
The risk increases with the quantity of dangerous goods being stored. Initially it needs to be
established whether only minor quantities of substance are being stored
1. Minor Storage
There will exist circumstances where quantities below a certain level are so small or scattered that
they are of little risk or, if flammable, do not significantly contribute to a building’s fire load. In addition
to this they will not impede the activities of the emergency personnel. The requirements for storage of
smaller quantities are not as rigorous. The aim is to minimize quantities wherever reasonably
practicable.
The following table is from Safety in Laboratories (Storage of Chemicals).
If you are storing more than the quantities listed below for any of the dangerous goods classes then you
are storing more than minor storage quantities for that class.
Class Max per 50m2 Max. Container Size Where to store?
Class 3 10L 5 Labelled laboratory
cupboard
Class 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 10 L or Kg 10 Labelled laboratory
5.1 1, 5.2 cupboard
Class 6.1 PG I 10L or kg PG I -10L or kg Labelled laboratory
Other 50 L or Kg Other 20 L or Kg cupboard
Class 8 Liquids 20L 20 L or Kg Labelled laboratory
Solids 50 Kg cupboard
Hazardous 200 L or Kg Liquids – 5L Labelled laboratory
Substances Solids – 20Kg cupboard
2. General Requirements for the storage of all Dangerous Goods
The area where dangerous goods are stored should be:
well ventilated and lit
separated from ignition sources.
secured from the public (including workers)
protected from temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight
shelving/cupboards should:
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o be constructed of chemically resistant materials
o provide a lip at the front of the shelf.
For liquid dangerous goods stored outside of a chemical storage cabinet secondary containment (eg.
spill trays) should be considered.
Dedicated areas should be provided for measuring out chemicals.
3. Segregation of Chemicals
Appendix 1 outlines a general indication of the compatibility of dangerous goods by class. In general,
each class of dangerous goods should be segregated.
More detailed information is available from the MSDS and the list of commonly incompatible
chemicals in Appendix 1.
The risks involved in the interaction of incompatible substances can include:
uncontrolled release of heat
emission of noxious fumes
precipitation of unstable solids leading to an explosion.
4. Security
As part of the risk assessment the level of security required for storage of substances should be
identified.
ensure all storage areas are signed with relevant signage
all designated areas should be secured at all times
Dangerous Goods manifests are to be maintained and readily available
5. Shelf Storage
In general, hazardous chemicals should be stored in chemical storage cabinets or laboratory
cupboards. Where chemicals are kept on shelves or racks they are subject to the following
restrictions:
shelving must be compatible with the goods stored;
shelving systems must be designed for the maximum holding capacity of the chemical
containers;
incompatible chemicals should not be stored together on shelves; a distance of 3m between
them is recommended and the space between can be used to store non-hazardous
substances.
solid chemicals should preferably be stored on upper shelves above liquid chemicals;
secondary containment is essential for large containers (eg. the 20 litre waste cubes). It is
advisable to bund any container of 2.5 L and above capacity. All dangerous goods of this size
must be bunded.
the most dangerous chemicals should be stored at easily accessible heights (eg. 1.5 m from
the floor)
chemicals should not be stored in direct sunlight.
where refrigerated storage is required domestic refrigerators are not to be used. [Options
include intrinsically safe refrigerators or domestic refrigerators that have been made
electrically safe by a licensed electrician]
6. Storage in Cabinets
Each chemical storage cabinet must have a designated person responsible for its management. Their
duties would include ensuring that:
appropriate emergency spill measures are in place;
emergency first aid is accessible
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a risk assessment is completed for the storage of dangerous goods for this storage location
disposal of substances no longer required is to occur regularly and at least on an annual
basis..
7. Placarding
Placarding is required for quantities above the limits in the table;
Dangerous Goods Packing Group Quantity
Class 2.1 n/a
Class 2.2/5.1 n/a
Class 2.2 n/a
Class 2.3 n/a 1
Class 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, Packing Group I 50
6 and 8 Packing Group II 250
Packing Group III 1000
Mixed packing groups in any 1000 L/Kg
of the above classes where
the packing group limit is not
exceeded
8. Chemical spills
It is important that staff are trained in the management of chemical spills and that the procedures are
tested. See the procedure for Chemical Spill Management
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Appendix 1.
Indication of Substance Compatibility Dependant on Class
Class 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 4.1 4.2 4.3 5.1 5.2 6.1 8 9
2.1 Flammable gas X X X
2.2 Non flammable
/non toxic gas
2.3 Toxic Gas
3 Flammable liquid X X X
4.1 Flammable Solid X X X
4.2 Spontaneously X X X
Combustible
4.3 Dangerous When X X X
wet
5.1 Oxidizing Agent X X X X
5.2 Organic Peroxide X X X X X X X
6.1 Toxic
8 Corrosive X X X
9 Miscellaneous DG’s
Compatible
Not generally compatible – require all X
risks controlled
Usually non reactive- in emergency
increased risk – additional controls
required
Usually non reactive - fire may lead to
release of toxic gasses or vapours
Additional risk factors – more information
required
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