All chemicals must be stored in a safe, secure location. Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container.
Hazardous substances should be stored in an area with a clear exit, and it is also advised that the storage area should be close to washing facilities. Substances may also need to be stored in appropriate COSHH cabinets, and should always be stored separately from any others.
Keep storage areas free from clutter, explosives, and flammable conditions. Prevent chemical storage conditions that may encourage rats or pests. Place stored materials at least six feet from hoistways and at least 10 feet from exterior walls. Separate chemicals that cannot be stored together.
Store chemicals in the original containers (labeled with instructions and common name) in designated areas separate from food, equipment, linens, and utensils. Space chemicals apart from other items or partition them from other items, and always keep them under food, equipment, utensils, linens, etc., never above.
It is often best to have more than one storage area, so that incompatible chemicals can be kept separate. If incompatible chemicals share the same storage area they should be separated within the store (known as segregation) to ensure they cannot come into contact with one another.
Labels for a hazardous chemical must contain:
Name, Address and Telephone Number • Product Identifier • Signal Word • Hazard Statement(s) • Precautionary Statement(s) • Pictogram(s) Page 3 3 above, the label could state, “Do not breathe vapors or spray. Get medical attention if you feel unwell.
Cabinet must be double walled with one and one-half inch airspace. Joints must be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means. Door must have a three-point latch. Door sill must be raised at least two inches above the cabinet bottom to retain spilled liquid within the cabinet.
Store chemicals away from food storage and contact areas. Chemicals can easily get into food or spill onto food-contact surfaces if they are stored incorrectly. A separate area should be used for chemical storage to make sure your food and equipment stay safe. Label all chemicals clearly.
Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents. This helps prevent any fumes from spreading to other areas of the facility.
Specific instructions on chemical storage may be obtained from the MSDS or on the container label. Ensure that all containers are in good condition and are properly labeled, including the date of purchase.
Prohibited Storage Locations
In High Places: Heavy objects should not be stored high up as they can fall and cause injury. On Scaffolds: Storing materials on scaffolds is dangerous due to instability and potential falls.
OSHA suggests that companies install all shelving for hand-picking between average waist and shoulder height. This avoids muscle strains by reaching too low or too high. Stack heavier items on the bottom shelves and lighter items on shelves above.
Storage of containers (not more than 60 gallons each) shall not exceed 1,100 gallons in any one pile or area. Piles or groups of containers shall be separated by a 5-foot clearance. Piles or groups of containers shall not be nearer than 20 feet to a building.
Avoid storing flammable liquids on high shelves or in direct sunlight. Store flammable liquids in a well ventilated area. Caution: Never use environmental rooms (also called cold/ warm rooms) to store flammable, combustible, or other hazardous materials.
STEP 1. Identify the substances you are using. The first step in storing hazardous chemicals safely is to correctly identify each substance you have onsite. This step is crucial as identifying the chemicals you're carrying will provide you with the knowledge to understand their properties and hazards.
General Storage Requirements
All chemicals must be stored in a safe, secure location. Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container.
You may find that a garage, linen closet, behind a door, or hallway closet works best for you. One rule you should always follow is that no cleaning products should be stored where young children, pets, or vulnerable adults can reach them. It's also always a good idea to get cleaning products off the floor.
The best practice ServSafe food managers can enforce with chemical storage is to keep them as far away from food storage areas as possible. In fact, keeping them in a separate area other than the kitchen is ideal.
Securing cleaning chemicals in a safety cabinet away from food preparation and service areas is a great way to reduce the risk of harm.
Why is it important to safely store hazardous chemicals? Even when not in use, hazardous chemicals can still pose a risk. Some can cause or contribute to a fire or explosion, injure or poison people, damage property if they are stored unsafely. Some hazardous chemicals are also not compatible with one another.
Where to Store Pesticides. Store pesticides out of reach of children and pets. If possible, keep pesticides in a locked cabinet in a well-ventilated utility area or garden shed. Never store pesticides in cabinets with or near food, animal feed, or medical supplies.
Chemicals such as cleaners and sanitizers should be stored away from food and clean equipment, 3 inches above the floor, and on the shelf above food and utensils to prevent contamination and accidents.
Don't touch chemicals with bare hands. Wear protective gloves. Dangerous substances can easily enter the body through the skin while touching chemicals with bare hands, and would be injurious to health. If the chemical is corrosive, the hands will suffer from chemical burn.
Maximum Storage Quantities For Cabinets
* Not more than 60 gallons may be Class I and Class II liquids. No more than 120 gallons of Class III liquids may be stored in a storage cabinet, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106(d)(3) and NFPA 30 Section 4-3.1.