Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet Regulations and Compliance in Manufacturing

Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet Regulations and Compliance in Manufacturing

Businesses in the manufacturing sector have to bear a number of crucial health and safety priorities in mind to ensure that everyone on site is able to work safely. Of these, the safe storage of hazardous substances such as flammable liquids is of particular importance.

As a rule, businesses should always look to limit the use of hazardous materials on site where possible. However, in many situations, certain flammable substances - such as essential fuels, aerosols and cleaning chemicals - play a key role in day-to-day operations, and cannot be removed from the site. In these cases, there are stringent regulations in place to govern how these materials are stored, in order to mitigate potential safety risks, minimise environmental impact, and ensure compliance with UK legislation.

In this guide, we will explore the most important regulations and compliance matters to bear in mind when considering flammable liquid storage processes, and the factors that businesses should think about when looking for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) cabinets for their workplace.

Regulations for flammable liquid storage for UK businesses

As with most matters of health and safety, the use of flammable storage cabinets in the workplace is governed by a number of pieces of legislation. As responsible employers, manufacturers have a responsibility to educate themselves on what these laws are, and what rules they will need to follow to ensure their usage of flammable liquid storage cabinets is up to code.

The most important pieces of UK legislation that govern the use of safety cabinets for flammable liquid and chemical storage include:

• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
The central COSHH regulations govern the use and storage of hazardous chemicals, including flammable liquids, in workplaces. They require employers to control exposures to substances hazardous to human health, in order to protect the wellbeing of employees and site visitors. For flammable liquids, a crucial control measure is safe storage, often requiring COSHH cabinets that meet specific standards.
• The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002
DSEAR provides detailed guidelines on how to work safely with dangerous substances, including those that can cause fires or explosions. In regards to flammable liquids, DSEAR imposes a duty on employers to eliminate or reduce risks associated with their storage.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 This flagship piece of health and safety legislation places a legal duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees at work. This includes creating a safe environment for the storage of hazardous substances like flammable liquids.

The Rules for storing flammable liquids

In accordance with COSHH and DSEAR, manufacturers must follow specific rules when storing flammable liquids:

1. Properly identified and labelled storage: Containers used for storing flammable liquids should be clearly and accurately labelled with their contents. They should display hazard pictograms in line with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (CLP), which informs users of potential hazards associated with the substance. Any flammable storage cabinet on site should prominently display the highly flammable symbol and the relevant hazard warning signs to inform and protect employees.
2. Secure and appropriate storage: According to British Standard BS 476, COSHH cabinets storing flammable liquids should typically offer fire resistance for a minimum of 30 minutes. They must also be constructed to retain spills - this usually involves an integrated sump to contain any liquid leakage. Cabinets should be robust, with secure locks to prevent unauthorised access.
3. Quantity control: Storing large quantities of flammable liquids in a work area can increase the risk of a significant incident. To mitigate this, only a minimal quantity - enough for half a day's or one shift’s work - should be kept in the work area. Any excess should be securely stored in a separate, suitably constructed storeroom or hazardous material cabinet.
4. Isolation from ignition sources and incompatible materials: Flammable liquids should be kept away from all ignition sources, including heat, sparks and open flames. This includes segregating them from electrical equipment, combustible materials and other substances with which they might react; similarly, flammable cabinets should not be used to store any materials that could have a dangerous reaction with the flammable chemicals contained inside.
5. Ventilation: Hazardous storage cabinets should be located in a well-ventilated area to prevent the build-up of flammable vapours. If your safety cabinets are internally ventilated, the exhaust should be directed to the outside in a safe manner, away from ignition sources and areas frequented by employees.
6. Regular inspection and maintenance: Cabinets should be regularly inspected to ensure their integrity and effectiveness. Any damage, such as a deterioration of seals, corrosion or obstruction of vents, should be promptly addressed.
7. Training: All staff who handle and store extremely flammable liquids must be adequately trained. They should understand the hazards, the safe handling procedures, and the appropriate actions in case of an emergency, such as a spill or fire. They should also understand the maintenance requirements associated with a safety cabinet containing flammable materials, and ensure they are following all of the relevant COSHH guidelines when accessing the cabinets.

By adhering to these rules, manufacturing firms can significantly reduce the risks associated with storing highly flammable liquids, ensuring the safety of their workforce and compliance with UK legislation.

The importance of safe storage for flammable liquids

Businesses in the manufacturing sector need to understand the importance of safely storing flammable liquids. Not only is it a regulatory requirement, but it is also a crucial facet of maintaining a safe working environment and a responsible business culture.

Non-compliance with COSHH and DSEAR regulations for the safe storage of hazardous substances can result in severe legal penalties, including hefty fines and potential imprisonment. If you operate in this sector, you will be subject to regular inspections from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) officers to ensure you are complying with the law, and any identified infractions could lead to enforcement actions; as such, you must take a responsible approach to chemical storage, while demonstrating a commitment to health and safety that will enhance your reputation among employees, customers and suppliers.

More importantly, investing in legally compliant flammable liquid storage cabinets means that you are investing directly in the health and wellbeing of your workforce. Managing the risks associated with flammable substances on site allows your business to minimise the potential risk of accidents, fires or explosions that endanger your workers as well as your premises; it will also prevent chemical spills that could be damaging to the environment.

As such, the safe storage of flammable liquids is about much more than regulatory compliance. It is a crucial business practice that can save lives, protect assets, boost profitability and contribute to better wellbeing.

Choosing the right COSHH cabinets with SafetyBuyer

Selecting appropriate COSHH cabinets is paramount in ensuring safe storage for flammable liquids. Not all storage solutions are created equal, which makes it crucial to select cabinets that can meet the specific safety and regulatory needs of flammable liquid storage.

SafetyBuyer understands the importance of compliance and the role it plays in protecting your business and your employees. Our wide range of COSHH cabinets offers fully compliant storage solutions designed with safety, durability and compliance in mind. Each cabinet adheres to the highest industry standards, ensuring you can store hazardous substances, including flammable liquids, securely and responsibly.

Our flammable storage cabinets offer the following qualities:

• Fully compliant with the DSEAR-Approved Code of Practice and HSG51 Storage of Flammable Liquids guidance
• Seams and joints are fully welded throughout, and joints at corners are free from openings or gaps
• Doors are reinforced to prevent distortion and damage from knocks and bumps Doors and lids are close-fitting to the frame, offering a secure seal when in a closed position
• Materials used provide a fire resistance of 30 minutes, and a melting point greater than 750 degrees Celsius

Visit SafetyBuyer’s range of COSHH cabinets today and find the perfect solution for your flammable liquid storage needs. You can also learn more about our COSHH cabinets by watching the video below: