COSHH Cabinets for Chemicals & Hazardous Substances

COSHH Cabinets for Chemicals and Hazardous Substances

COSHH cabinets are used in a wide range of workplaces, including but not limited to workshops, factories, warehouses, laboratories, maintenance departments, schools, and anywhere hazardous products are stored when not in use.

Our range of COSHH cabinets offers a variety of sizes and configurations. This allows you to select the most appropriate storage for the substances, containers, and quantities used in your workplace.

What Is a COSHH Cabinet?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Under COSHH, employers must assess the risks associated with hazardous substances and take appropriate measures to prevent or adequately control exposure. Provision of suitable storage can form part of these control measures.

A COSHH cabinet is designed to store hazardous substances separately from general stock, and to control access to such substances.

However, purchasing a cabinet does not automatically make chemical storage compliant. There are several other factors which must be considered including the nature of the substances, the quantities of substances being stored, their hazardous properties and the results of the COSHH assessment.

What Should Be Stored in a COSHH Cabinet?

There are no definitive lists specifying which products must be kept in a COSHH cabinet.

Substances governed by COSHH can be chemicals, cleaning products, paints, solvents and adhesives and other such products which can impact on a person’s health.

You must check the label and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance. This information can advise on the hazards of the product and how it should be handled and stored. It can also advise on products which are incompatible with the substance.

Different products may also need to be stored separately. Products should not be stored together just because there is space in the cabinet. If chemicals are stored together and react with one another, this can result in an uncontrolled reaction and could be dangerous.

Can Any Cabinet Be Used as a COSHH Cabinet?

A standard office cupboard or general-purpose storage cabinet should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for storing hazardous substances.

Purpose-designed COSHH and chemical storage cabinets can include features such as robust steel construction, lockable doors, hazard warning labels, adjustable shelves and integral spill containment. Features vary between models, so individual specifications should always be checked.

The main consideration is if the cabinet is appropriate for substances you want to store.

Specialist storage might be needed for flammable liquids and corrosive substances. This means that a general COSHH cabinet may not be appropriate for all hazardous substances.

Choosing the Right COSHH Cabinet

Start with what you need to store rather than simply choosing a cabinet based on its overall size.

Identify the substances, the size of containers, and the quantity of each, as well as review the Safety Data Sheets. Then, compare cabinets based on the following requirements:

• Internal dimensions and overall capacity
• Number and position of shelves
• Maximum shelf loads
• Sump or spill containment capacity
• Door and locking configuration
• Hazard identification and labelling
• Suitability for the intended location

Consider how the cabinet will be used day to day as well. Employees should be able to identify and retrieve the required product without unnecessarily moving other chemical containers.

Allowing some additional capacity can make it easier to keep the contents organised and avoid overcrowding shelves.

Where Should COSHH Cabinets Be Located?

The location of a COSHH cabinet should be considered as part of your risk assessment.

Think about who needs access to the substances, where they are normally used and how containers will be moved between storage and the point of use.

Depending on the materials involved, you may also need to consider surrounding activities, heat or ignition sources, ventilation and other environmental conditions.

Where a cabinet will be installed outdoors, check that the specific model is designed for external use rather than assuming an indoor chemical cabinet will provide adequate weather protection.

COSHH Cabinets and Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids require particular consideration because of their potential fire and explosion risks.

They should not automatically be treated in the same way as other hazardous substances. The type and quantity of liquid, potential ignition sources, cabinet construction and storage location can all influence the appropriate solution.

If you need to store flammable liquids, check the relevant Safety Data Sheets and your risk assessment to establish whether a dedicated flammable liquid cabinet or another specialist storage solution is required.

Compare COSHH Cabinets

Our range includes COSHH cabinets, COSHH cupboards and chemical storage cabinets in a choice of sizes and configurations for commercial and industrial applications.

Compare the products above for dimensions, capacities, shelf arrangements, containment features and other specifications to find an option suited to your requirements.

If you're unsure which cabinet to choose, tell us what substances you need to store, your container sizes and quantities, and where the cabinet will be located. Our team can help you identify the most appropriate options.

Call us on 01933 665000 or email sales@unimac.co.uk to discuss your requirements.