Health and Safety

Executive

OCM Storing chemicals

Offshore
COSHH Control approach 1
essentials General ventilation

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers

dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for storing chemicals.
contractors) to comply with the Control
It covers the key points you need to follow to help reduce exposure to
of Substances Hazardous to Health
an adequate level, as part of your COSHH assessment.
Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to
protect workers’ health.
Hazards
This guidance consolidates good control
3 There is a wide range of hazards from these substances.
practice and reinforces existing knowledge
3 Check safety data sheets (SDSs).
with additional information.
3 See ‘Further information’ for information on exposure limits.
It will help you carry out COSHH
Access
assessments, review existing
assessments, deliver training and in
3 Restrict access to the chemical store.
supervising activities involving substances
3 Provide a store with sufficient space, well organised, well lit and well
ventilated.
hazardous to health.
3 The store should have an impervious floor that is resistant to the
chemicals used and is easy to clean.
It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities
include the management of substances
3 Store incompatible materials safely – see HSG71. Define the areas and
put up clear signs.
hazardous to health on offshore
installations (eg occupational health
3 Keep tanks and containers in defined, bunded areas.
specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors
3 Label tote tanks, containers and lines clearly.
etc). It is also useful for trade union and
3 Provide bulk storage with dust filtration or air cleaning for the displaced
air.
employee safety representatives.
3 Provide explosion relief where necessary.
Following the guidance is not compulsory
3 Vent air displaced from bulk liquids to a safe place.
and you are free to take other action. But
3 Segregate vehicle routes from walkways, where possible.
if you do follow this guidance you will
3 Eliminate or control ignition sources.
normally be doing enough to comply with
Planning
the law. Health and safety inspectors seek
to secure compliance with the law and
3 Minimise the range of chemicals that need to be stored.
may refer to this guidance as illustrating
3 Develop emergency procedures that are suitable for the chemicals and
amounts stored.
good practice.
3 Provide spill clear-up kits.
Also see essential information on the back
3 Provide suitable fire extinguishing equipment.
of the sheet.
3 Make arrangements for the removal of waste packaging.
3 Impose permit-to-work procedures for work on tanks and silos. The
method must include purging and air testing.
Storing chemicals OCM8 General ventilation

Control procedures Employee checklist

3 Check for damage and leaks at least once a day. Stack containers to Are all air vents and
make finding leaks easy.
grilles free of blockages?
3 Repackage and label, or dispose of the contents of leaking containers Use handling aids to
as soon as possible.
minimise the risk of spills.
3 Clean up spills immediately. This may need personal protective Look for signs of leaks,
equipment.
wear and damage before
every job.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) – see OCM3
Clean up leaks and spills
3 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is not normally needed – check immediately.
safety data sheets.
If you find any problem,
3 RPE may be needed for clearing up spillages. get it fixed. Don’t just
3 Where necessary, provide CE-marked RPE with an assigned protection carry on working.
factor of at least 20 for the air contaminants.
Use, look after and store
3 Disposable RPE (FFP3) or cartridge RPE is acceptable. your PPE in accordance
with instructions.
Other protective equipment
Discard single-use gloves
3 Provide standard or disposable coveralls. Check that coveralls have fire every time you take them
retardant properties.
off.
3 Provide clean chemical-resistant gloves and new gloves when these Wash hands before
are damaged.
eating, drinking or using
3 Tell workers to discard single-use gloves every time they take them off. the lavatory.

Cleaning and housekeeping

3 Clean the store once a week.
3 Collect liquid spills with absorbent material, then use wet cleaning
methods.
3 Clean up solid spills with a Class H vacuum cleaner.
Caution: Don’t use a brush or compressed air for cleaning. Never use
compressed air to remove dust from clothing.

Waste
3 Segregate waste from other stored goods. Label it clearly.
Training and supervision
3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed.
3 Tell workers, including maintenance workers, what the hazards and
risks are.
3 Explain the early signs of dermatitis.
3 Explain the importance of segregation for storage.
3 Supervise storage and inventory record keeping.
3 Training includes toolbox talks on:
n emergency procedures;

n safe handling procedures;

n good record keeping;

n how to use RPE and check that it is working;

n how to clean up spills correctly; and

n what to do if something goes wrong.

3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training.

Storing chemicals OCM8 General ventilation

Essential information Other hazards

OCE0 Advice for managers n Musculoskeletal disorders –
OCM3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) manual handling awkward/
OCM4 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) heavy items in restricted
OCM5 Emergency planning places
n Static electricity – earthing

fuel lines, storage tanks

n Slips and trips

n Vehicle movements

n Substances harmful to the

marine environment

Further information
Chemical warehousing: The
storage of packaged dangerous
substances HSG71 (Fourth
edition) HSE Books 2009
ISBN 978 0 7176 6237 1
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg71.htm

Tote tanks
www.stepchangeinsafety.net

Safe handling of combustible

dusts: Precautions against
explosions HSG103 (Second
edition) HSE Books 2003
ISBN 978 0 7176 2726 4
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg103.htm

You can find the full Offshore

COSHH essentials series at
www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK

offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11