COSHH Cabinet Regulations UK: How to Store Hazardous Substances Correctly

What the Law Actually Requires

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) place a legal duty on employers to prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. For substances that are also flammable, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) apply in parallel, requiring employers to assess and control the risks from fire, explosion and similar energy-releasing events.

Neither COSHH nor DSEAR prescribes a specific type of cabinet. Instead, they require that storage is suitable — meaning it must control the risk of exposure, spillage and, in the case of flammable liquids, ignition. In practice, a purpose-built COSHH cabinet is almost always the appropriate solution for storing hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

HSE Guidance on Flammable Liquid Quantities (HSG51)

HSE's guidance document HSG51: The storage of flammable liquids in containers sets out practical limits that determine what type of storage you need:

• Up to 50 litres in a workroom: no dedicated flammable storage cabinet is legally required, though one is strongly advisable.
• 50 to 250 litres: a fire-resistant storage cabinet or fire-resisting store is required.
• Over 250 litres: a dedicated fire-resisting storeroom is necessary, separated from the main working area.

These thresholds apply to total quantities in a single workroom, not individual containers. If your workplace holds several five-litre cans of solvent plus drums of white spirit, the volumes add up quickly. Even businesses that consider themselves low-risk — workshops, cleaning contractors, vehicle repairers, businesses using alcohol gels — can easily exceed the 50-litre threshold without realising it.

Cabinet Specifications: What BS EN 14470-1 Requires

Flammable liquid storage cabinets sold in the UK should conform to BS EN 14470-1, which specifies performance standards for fire resistance and containment. The key requirements are:

• 90-minute fire resistance: the cabinet must maintain its structural integrity and contain any fire for at least 90 minutes, giving occupants time to evacuate and fire services time to respond.
• Self-closing doors: doors must close automatically in the event of fire, typically via a fusible link or gas-spring mechanism, preventing the contents from feeding a blaze.
• 110% sump capacity: the integral sump must be capable of containing 110% of the volume of the largest container stored, preventing spilled liquid from escaping the cabinet.
• Ventilation options: cabinets may be sealed or ventilated to an appropriate extract system. The right choice depends on whether you need to prevent vapour build-up inside.

Not all cabinets on the market meet this standard. When purchasing, look for explicit confirmation that the cabinet is tested and certified to BS EN 14470-1.

Colour Coding: What the Colours Mean

COSHH cabinets are commonly available in yellow or blue. This colour coding is a widely adopted industry convention rather than a legal requirement, but it provides a useful at-a-glance identification system:

• Yellow: flammable liquids, solvents, paints, fuels
• Blue: pesticides and agrochemicals

Following the convention is best practice and makes good sense when multiple cabinet types are in use on the same site.

Segregation: Keeping Incompatible Chemicals Apart

One of the most important — and frequently overlooked — aspects of chemical storage is segregation. Mixing incompatible substances, even accidentally through spillage, can cause violent reactions, toxic gas release or fire. As a general rule:

• Acids must be stored away from bases (alkalis)
• Oxidising agents must not be stored alongside flammables
• Toxic substances should be in locked storage, separate from everyday cleaning products
• Flammable liquids must be kept away from ignition sources and reactive chemicals

Your COSHH risk assessment should identify every chemical in use and determine which substances must not be stored together. In many workplaces, this means having more than one cabinet or separate sections within a larger store.

Labelling and Safety Data Sheets

Under COSHH, every container of a hazardous substance must be clearly labelled with the substance name and appropriate hazard information. Containers must never be decanted into unlabelled receptacles.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be available for every hazardous substance on site. These are typically provided by the supplier and must be kept accessible — not locked away — so that workers and emergency services can consult them when needed. Review SDS whenever a new product is introduced or a product's formulation changes.

Sump Trays for Cabinets Without Integral Sumps

Some general-purpose COSHH cabinets are designed for non-flammable hazardous substances and do not include a sump meeting the 110% containment requirement. In these cases, sump trays or drip trays placed inside or beneath the cabinet provide secondary containment. This is particularly important for corrosive liquids, where even a small spill could cause structural damage or injury to workers nearby. A spill kit stored close to the cabinet provides an immediate response capability for any overspill.

Who Needs a COSHH Cabinet?

Any employer who stores hazardous substances in the workplace needs controlled storage. This is a broader category than many businesses realise:

• Workshops and manufacturers using solvents, adhesives or cutting fluids
• Cleaning contractors storing concentrated cleaning chemicals
• Farms and horticulture businesses using pesticides or fertilisers
• Garages and vehicle repairers storing fuels, oils and degreasers
• Salons using chemical treatments
• Any business storing aerosols in significant quantities

If your COSHH assessment identifies hazardous substances in storage, the question is not whether you need controlled storage — it is which cabinet is right for the substances and quantities you hold. Getting that decision right protects your workforce, satisfies the requirements of COSHH and DSEAR, and reduces your liability in the event of an incident.

Browse our range of COSHH storage cabinets, including BS EN 14470-1 certified flammable liquid cabinets in a range of sizes. For sites where drums and bulk containers are in use, our drum handling and storage range includes bunded pallets and drum cradles to provide the secondary containment your risk assessment requires.