Flammable Substances Storage Guide

This flammable substances storage guide will be of interest if your business uses flammable substances as you will also need to adhere to the COSHH requirements.

What is COSHH?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. These Regulations require employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health and fire hazards.

Many different types of liquid emit vapour which, when mixed with air, can explode if ignited. Examples of liquids that can be combustible include petrol and other fuel types, paint, ink, adhesives, cleaning fluids and other solvents.

Recommended Online Courses for COSHH, DSEAR and COMAH 

We have seen many online courses within the fire safety industry and can highly recommend the following courses. 

COSHH

This COSHH training course is designed to give workers knowledge of the health risks surrounding work with hazardous substances, including how to undertake a COSHH assessment by identifying the risks and the control measures needed, and ensure that they understand how to work safely with hazardous substances.

*Ensures compliance with UK Health and Safety legislation

*Developed by Health & Safety Professionals

*Matches the CIEH Level 2 Syllabus

*Accredited by CPD and Approved by RoSPA

*Fully online course and assessment with no time limits

*Full audio voice over

*Approximate duration: 2-3 hours

*On completion, certificate is posted the next working day

Cost £25.00 - See Full Details

DSEAR

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers to control the risks to people's safety from fire and explosions whilst at work including flammable substances storage..

This DSEAR training course provides a complete introduction to the regulations so that employers and employees understand their responsibilities in regards to health and safety and feel competent to carry out a risk assessment and put suitable control measures in place.

*Developed by health and safety professionals

*Accredited by CPD and Approved by RoSPA

*Fully online course and assessment with no time limits

*Full audio voice over

*Approximate duration: 2 hours

*On completion, certificate is posted the next working day

Cost £25.00 - See Full Details

COMAH

This COMAH training course has been designed as a thorough introduction to the Regulations so that site operators understand more about what their legal responsibilities are in regards to keeping themselves, their employees and the environment safe from harm.

The course covers all aspects of the COMAH Regulations, including information on creating a Major Accident Prevention Policy (MAPP), and provides learners with an understanding of their responsibilities under the latest Seveso III Directive which applies to all COMAH establishments from 1st June 2015.

*Ensures compliance with UK Health and Safety legislation

*Developed by health and safety professionals

*Accredited by CPD and Approved by RoSPA

*Fully online course and assessment with no time limits

*Full audio voice over

*Approximate duration: 2 hours

*On completion, certificate is posted the next working day

Cost £25.00. See Full Details

Flammable Substances Storage - Know the Flashpoint.

Liquids should be tested using a physical test known as Flashpoint to determine the minimum temperature the liquid will give off enough vapour to ignite the atmosphere. By doing this, liquids can be categorised into three classes:

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE

These liquids have a flashpoint lower than 0°C and boiling point lower than or equal to 35°C.

Due to the nature of these liquids, extra precautions must be taken to ensure that excessive vapour leaks cannot occur. Protective equipment, such as explosion-proof testers and other intrinsically safe equipment must be used. Special protective equipment and breathing apparatus may also be necessary to protect employees from being overcome by the fumes (particularly inside confined spaces).

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE

Not as dangerous as extremely flammable liquid, but still a significant danger. These liquids have a flashpoint below 21°C.

FLAMMABLE

Liquids which have a flashpoint equal or greater than 21°C.

How to store Hazardous Substances.

Flammable substances storage should be within a COSHH cabinet. COSHH cabinets are designed to be leak-proof to prevent spilled substances from leaking out of the cabinet or contamination of the products within the cabinet.It is a lockable reinforced cabinet that prevents unauthorised persons from accessing the dangerous chemicals stored within.

Keys to the cabinet should be  given to designated employees who have the responsibility of making sure that hazardous materials are safely stored within the locked cabinet when they are not in use. Every workplace should have a clear and strictly enforced policy of returning substances to the COSHH cabinet after use. A COSHH cabinet should never be left unlocked while it is unattended, particularly in environments where vulnerable individuals such as children, mentally disabled adults or animals could gain access to the cabinet.

Hazardous substances should be stored in appropriate spill-proof containers and not allowed to come into contact with each other if there is a risk of a dangerous chemical reaction occurring between them. 

Substances should be stored in the COSHH cabinet according to their storage instructions. Substances that are no longer needed or that have expired should be disposed of according to governmental regulations concerning the disposal of hazardous waste. There are regulations governing the amounts of certain substances that can be stored in a single location. Workplace managers should refer to the national HSG51 and DSEAR 2002 health and safety guidelines to find out more about the storage of hazardous substances.

Useful Further Information Links

HSE DSEAR

HSE COSHH

HSE Guide to Flammable liquids Storage