Chemical hazards aren’t just found in factories, workshops or laboratories, they’re present in everyday workplaces too. I recently read an interesting IOSH article on the subject and it reminds us, “chemical hazards… lurk in homes and offices – from aerosols and cleaning products to paints and glues.”

For employers, the message is simple, chemical safety isn’t a single task. It’s a lifecycle responsibility that spans procurement, storage, use and disposal. When any stage is overlooked, people can be harmed.

Exposure to chemicals can cause anything from mild irritation to serious long-term health conditions. The risks range from dizziness and skin and throat irritation to asthma, dermatitis, endocrine disorders, reproductive problems and even cancer.

Workers can be exposed through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion or punctures and exposure can occur at any point, from delivery to disposal. Some groups, including young workers, expectant mothers and people with existing health conditions, may be more vulnerable. So what do we need to do as businesses?

1. Start with a robust, process-based risk assessment

A COSHH assessment is essential, but it’s only the starting point. In the article it stresses that “chemical management can go wrong and workers can be exposed” when organisations misunderstand exposure routes, by-products or controls.

A strong assessment should:

• Consider hazards before chemicals arrive on site
• Include by-products, waste and failure scenarios
• Challenge assumptions in supplier documentation
• Look for safer alternatives wherever possible

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we encourage clients to treat chemical risk as a whole-process review, not a tick-box exercise. If you are unsure where to start, we can certainly support you to navigate the process.

2. Smarter procurement prevents downstream problems

Before buying chemicals, ask: Do we actually need this? Is there a safer option? The IOSH article (How to manage chemicals | IOSH magazine) gives a striking example where a cost-saving purchase led to chemicals being stored without bunding a preventable risk created by procurement decisions.

Good procurement should ensure:

• Reliable suppliers
• Correct volumes
• Accurate Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Suitable storage and Personal Protective Equipment arrangements
• No unnecessary stockpiling

We often need to educate procurement teams so decisions support safety, not just budgets.

3. Transport and delivery

Transport risks are frequently underestimated. Organisations must understand packaging formats, delivery vehicles and offloading arrangements e.g. even forklifts can puncture containers.

Key controls include:

• Clear traffic routes and competent supervision
• Site-specific briefings for visiting drivers
• Bunded trolleys or secondary containment
• Planning routes to avoid vulnerable areas

4. Safe, structured storage

Safe storage is more than shelving and signage. It requires:

• Ventilated, secure storage areas
• Clear segregation of incompatible substances
• Accurate inventories and up-to-date SDSs
• Regular inspections and monitoring
• Bunding capable of holding “the full contents of the largest tank… plus an additional 10%”

It’s important to remember that chemicals can degrade over time, changing their properties and increasing risk, this is something often overlooked.

5. Use

A European review found that “35% of SDSs were non-compliant.” This means employers must think critically, question suppliers and avoid relying solely on data sheets.

Common issues include:

• Decanting into unlabelled containers
• Unclear or handwritten hazard information
• Over-reliance on PPE instead of engineering controls

Where possible, choose premixed solutions, dosing systems, enclosed processes and direct piping to reduce human error.

6. Disposal

The lifecycle doesn’t end when the job is done. Chemical waste must be packaged, labelled and consigned correctly. Waste facilities need full information, especially if substances contain flammable or reactive components.

The article warns that closed drainage systems can hide serious risks, such as undetected caustic soda leaks, so organisations must ensure competent contractors handle pumping and excavation.

Key Takeaways for Employers

• Treat chemical safety as a lifecycle, not a single COSHH assessment
• Buy only what you need and choose safer alternatives where possible
• Challenge SDSs and supplier information
• Prioritise engineering controls over procedural ones
• Keep storage organised, segregated and regularly inspected
• Ensure waste is labelled, documented and disposed of safely

To support your team in managing chemicals confidently and compliantly, ST Safety Services Ltd offers a range of accessible e-learning courses designed to strengthen everyday safety practice. Our COSHH course helps staff understand hazardous substances and exposure routes, while PPE training ensures workers select and use protective equipment correctly. For wider risk control, Introduction to Risk Assessment and Working Safely build essential foundations for safe decision-making. We also provide Basic Fire Safety Awareness and Basic Legionella Management, both crucial for organisations storing, using or disposing of chemicals. Together, these courses give your workforce the knowledge they need to stay safe at every stage of the chemical lifecycle. To find out more Click Here.

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we support organisations in building practical, people-centred chemical safety systems that protect workers at every stage from delivery to disposal.