Knowing how to store hazardous substances on site is a legal duty, not just good housekeeping. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, if you keep chemicals, fuels, solvents, paints or similar materials on a site, you have to store them safely, securely and in a way that protects the people around them. This guide covers what that means in practice and how to get it right without overcomplicating it.
COSHH requires you to control exposure to hazardous substances, and safe storage is a core part of that. In practice it means keeping substances secure so they cannot be misused or reached by the wrong people, contained so leaks and spills do not spread, ventilated so fumes do not build up, and clearly labelled so everyone knows what is there. You also need the safety data sheet for each substance to hand, because it tells you how that material should be stored and what it must be kept away from.
Store them away from people and ignition sources, in a secure, ventilated area rather than a corner of the site cabin or the back of a van. A purpose-built hazardous substance box keeps the materials separate, secure and identified. Keep incompatible substances apart, and never store hazardous materials next to food, drink or welfare areas.
Most of the duties above are far easier to meet with a purpose-built box than with a makeshift store. A HazSafe® hazardous substance box helps you comply with COSHH regulations, as demanded by law, for the secure storage of hazardous materials. The sealed welded steel body keeps materials locked away and holds any leak or spill inside the box, the internal ventilation lets fumes disperse, and the high-visibility yellow finish with hazard warning labels means the box identifies itself. It takes your own padlock, so you control access. For a small site it can be the single item that turns scattered, risky storage into something secure and demonstrable.
Store your site chemicals safely with a HazSafe® hazardous substance box from WI Products, dispatched on a 48-hour delivery. Browse the range or contact the team to choose the right size.
COSHH does not name a specific product, but it does require safe, secure, contained storage. A purpose-built hazardous substance box is one of the simplest ways to meet those duties, especially on a site with no dedicated chemical store.
Only if their safety data sheets show they are compatible. Keep incompatible substances apart, and treat flammables with extra care under DSEAR, including quantities kept and separation from ignition sources.
Away from people, welfare areas and ignition sources, in a secure and ventilated area. It should be stable, lockable and clearly labelled.
