COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a UK regulation requiring businesses to assess, control, and minimise exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

Failing to comply with COSHH can lead to serious health risks, legal penalties, and workplace accidents. Proper compliance protects employees from:

• Chemical burns
• Respiratory issues
• Long-term health conditions (e.g., lung disease)

COSHH applies to a wide range of hazardous substances, including:

• Flammable liquids (e.g., solvents, paints)
• Toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides, industrial cleaners)
• Corrosive substances (e.g., acids, alkalis)
• Biological agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses in laboratories)
• Dusts & fumes from cutting, welding, or processing materials

A COSHH cabinet is a secure storage unit designed to contain hazardous substances safely, reducing risks of spills, fire, and exposure.

While not explicitly required, COSHH regulations mandate safe storage for hazardous substances. A dedicated COSHH cabinet is the best way to comply with this requirement.

A COSHH cabinet should:

• Be made from a rigid, non-corrosive material
• Have lockable doors to restrict unauthorised access
• Include a fully welded sump to contain spills
• Feature clear hazard labels

No, but colour-coding and labelling conventions play a crucial role in identifying and segregating hazardous substances. The term COSHH cabinet is often used generically, but in practice, different types of hazardous storage cabinets follow industry standards for colour-coding and labelling to help ensure safe chemical management.

Here’s a quick breakdown of common COSHH storage cabinets:

• Grey Cabinets (Cabtek COSHH Cabinets) – Typically labelled as COSHH Cabinets, designed for general hazardous substances and used across multiple industries.
• Yellow Cabinets (Flammable Storage) – Marked with flammable liquid hazard labels, used for solvents, fuels, and combustible chemicals.
• White Cabinets (Acid & Corrosive Storage) – Designed for acidic and corrosive substances, labelled accordingly.
• Red Cabinets (Pesticide Storage) – Clearly marked with pesticide hazard warnings, ensuring these substances are kept separate.

While colour is a helpful visual cue, it is equally important to check the cabinet’s labelling to ensure safe and compliant hazardous substance storage. These cabinets all support COSHH compliance, but their specific use case depends on the type of chemical being stored.

• Flammable storage cabinets (for solvents, fuels)
• Acid & alkali cabinets (for corrosive substances)
• Pesticide cabinets (for agricultural chemicals)
• General COSHH cabinets (for mixed hazardous substances)

COSHH cabinets should be:

• Away from ignition sources (for flammables)
• In a ventilated area (to prevent fume buildup)
• Easily accessible but secure

• Separate incompatible chemicals (e.g., acids and alkalis)
• Look for shelves that work as ‘spill trays’ to catch drips and minor spills
• Keep containers properly labelled
• Do not overfill - allow air circulation

Only if they are compatible. Always check Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to prevent dangerous chemical reactions.

The sump at the base of the cabinet prevents leaked chemicals from spreading. A fully welded sump (like those in Cabtek cabinets) is safer than a removable tray, as it reduces spill risks.

Employees handling hazardous substances should be trained on:

• Safe handling and storage
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) use
• Emergency procedures (e.g., spill response)

COSHH risk assessments should be reviewed annually or whenever:

• New hazardous substances are introduced
• Work processes change
• An accident or near-miss occurs

All COSHH cabinets must have clear hazard symbols, such as:

• Flammable liquids
• Corrosive substances
• Toxic materials
• Also ensure spill kits identified with appropriate signage are available
• Consider using clip boards, document holders or CoSHH information stations to keep important safety data sheets accessible
• See our Flammable Cabinet Bundle Deal

We don’t recommend placing Cabtek Cabinets outdoors, but Armorgard have a range of solutions including Armorgard ChemBanks and Armorgard Forma-Stor COSHH Storage Units that meet this requirement.

• Improper chemical segregation (e.g., acids stored with flammables)
• No spill containment measures
• Failure to label containers properly
• Poor ventilation in storage areas

Some chemicals release vapours that require ventilated storage. Always check the manufacturer’s SDS for specific requirements.

Cabinets should be checked weekly for:

• Leaks or spills
• Damage to locks or doors
• Expired or deteriorated chemicals

Follow the manufacturer’s disposal instructions and COSHH waste disposal regulations to safely remove old or expired substances.

Spill kits are an essential part of COSHH compliance and workplace safety, ensuring that hazardous spills are contained, controlled, and cleaned up quickly to reduce risks to employees, prevent environmental contamination, and maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.

A well-equipped spill kit enables rapid response in the event of a chemical spill, helping businesses:

• Minimise exposure risks – Prevents harmful chemicals from causing injury or contamination.
• Prevent slips and accidents – Quickly absorbs hazardous liquids to maintain a safe working environment.
• Ensure regulatory compliance – Helps meet COSHH, DSEAR, and environmental safety standards.

Protect equipment and premises – Reduces the risk of chemical damage to floors, machinery, and storage areas

• Near COSHH storage areas
• In high-risk zones (labs, warehouses, production areas)

1. Contain the spill using absorbents
2. Use PPE to protect workers
3. Dispose of waste safely following COSHH guidelines

Non-compliance can lead to:

• Legal action & fines
• Workplace accidents & injuries

Reputational damage

At SafetyBuyer, we offer:

• A full range of COSHH storage solutions
• Spill response kits & PPE
• Expert advice on compliance & best practices

Browse our full range COSHH Cabinets & Spill Control Solutions