| File Reference : | GG-6-03 Storing Oils and Chemicals |
| Date File Updated | 07-10-26 |
| File Format | MS Word |
| No. of files | 1 |
| Category | General Guidance | Tags: ISO 14001, 6.1, IMS1 6.5 |
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This guidance gives the storage rules for oils and chemicals, safe use of hazardous substances and a guide to the hazard pictograms on labels.
This guidance document is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:
- Guidance number and title
- Information-classification
- Version
- Page number / total pages
Further guidance on storing oils and chemicals:
These files are included in the alphaZ subscription. The training talk is also included in the ISO 14001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.
If you'd like hands-on help setting up safe storage and hazardous substance assessments for your site, our remote support services provide direct expert input from our team, by the day, by project, or on an ongoing basis.
Storing Oils and Chemicals Guidance
A general guidance document on storing oils and chemicals for workers who store, use or handle them. It explains the storage rules that protect drains and watercourses, how to work safely with hazardous substances using risk assessments and safety data sheets, and the hazard pictograms found on labels.
Topics Covered
- Protecting drains and watercourses - never pouring liquids down drains, never refuelling near a drain and storing liquids away from watercourses
- Bunded storage - using the secure bunded storage and drip trays provided, with valves, pipes and fittings kept inside the bund
- Where not to store - keeping oils and chemicals away from traffic routes and off unmade ground, and knowing where the spill kits are
- What hazardous substances are - chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, nanomaterials, gases and biological agents that the company must identify and control
- Working with hazardous substances - following the risk assessment and safety data sheet, checking materials are in date, using PPE and knowing emergency procedures
- Hazard pictograms - the label symbols for toxic, irritant, explosive, flammable, oxidising, corrosive, environmental, serious health and gas under pressure hazards
Who Is It For?
Workers who store, use or refuel with oils and chemicals, and anyone who works with hazardous substances.
Included in the ISO 14001 Toolkit
This guidance is supplied with the TT-6-03 Storing Oils and Chemicals training talk, which is part of the ISO 14001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.
Using the Guidance
Brief it to workers who handle oils and chemicals, and keep a copy near storage areas alongside the relevant risk assessments and safety data sheets. Record who has received it, for example on the training matrix.
Bunds, Drip Trays and Drains
The storage rules are short and practical. Oils and chemicals go in the secure bunded storage provided, with all valves, pipes and fittings inside the bund and drip trays used where provided. Nothing is poured down a drain, refuelling is never done near a drain or watercourse, and storage stays away from traffic routes and unmade ground.
Adapting the Guidance
Edit the guidance to match your own arrangements - your storage areas and bunds, where spill kits are kept, and the names of your hazardous substance risk assessments and emergency procedures.
Related Documents
Other documents that work alongside this guidance:
- PP-6-03 Environmental Oils and Chemicals Policy Procedure
- P-79 Hazardous Substances Policy
- RA-HS37 Work with Hazardous Substances
- GG-6-05 Spill Procedure
- GG-7-06 Hazardous Substances Guidance
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