Safe and Effective Chemical Storage

Safe storage of Chemicals is a vital part of most farm businesses, James Huyton takes a look at the legislation guidance and some of the storage solutions in the marketplace.

Safe Storage Options

With and extensive amount of requirements for chemical storage on farm,  purpose built container options for chemical storage are becoming ever more popular.  Depending on business requirements,  the market now offers a wide range of small portable storage containers, to flatpack and shipping container systems. 

When building or making use of an existing building to site a chemical store, a number of factors should be taken into consideration.

Location

Depending on size and type of chemical store, it is always worthwhile consulting your local authority planning department regarding any planning permission you may need for a new store.

The Environment Agency (EA), or in Scotland the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), will be able to provide advice and information on whether the site is in and ‘environmentally sensitive area’, such as a groundwater protection zone or upstream of water supply catchment areas.

When siting a store always ensure a minimum of four metres from areas that present a risk of fire. Sources of ignition to avoid when locating a store include fuel tanks, fertiliser, straw, gas containers, farm workshop and grain driers.

Always consider where any contaminated fire-fighting water will drain in the case of an emergency. With that in mind, ensure the store is not near to any drains, watercourses, wells, boreholes or areas liable to flooding.

Construction and bund

Construction of the store should be made from materials that will resist fire for 30 minutes or longer including any doors but is not a requirement for the roof.

The bund should provide an impermeable surface to withhold spilt liquids, for example steel, or a concrete slab with block wall. In certain circumstances, rendering or sealing the bund building materials may be necessary, especially on joints.

New build bunds are best constructed as an integral part of the foundations, with floor and walls and sunk below ground level enabling a good seal.

If pallets are used to keep stocks off the floor, make sure they do not present a tripping hazard and that the bunding capacity remains adequate when stocking the store.

The bund should encompass the whole perimeter, and doors or openings into the store should not compromise this but instead continue the bund. For larger stores with forklift access, a ramp should create a doorway continuation of the bund, with a slope gentle enough to avoid destabilising the load, for example, a five-degree slope.

A chemical stores bund should have enough holding capacity to retain leakage or spillage to a volume of 110 per cent of the total quantity of products likely to be stored. This rate increases to 185 per cent of the total volume stored when in an environmentally sensitive area. 

Store management 

Robust secure shelving is an important part of the store layout. It allows for easy access to chemical products with visibility for staff to ensure correct stocking levels. Powders should always be stored above liquids to reduce the risk of product contamination.

Good clear LED lighting in a chemical store will make it easier to read the product labels. An insulated store will help protect product stock against frost as exposed element heating is not suitable for a chemical store. 

Avoid creating trip hazards, it is good practice to ensure all waste cardboard and packaging is removed and disposed of. Keeping up-to-date stock records and managing the store will help in using up old stock and make sure any damaged containers are disposed of properly. When dealing with spillages, preparation is key, provision of absorbent granules, sand and an impermeable container to deal with any spillages or leaking containers.

In case of an emergency, clearly displayed information is vital. Provide a clearly displayed site location and address. What Three Words can also be used as additional informant to pin point the location of the store. Contact telephone numbers to relevant emergency services and the EA or SEPA will help with the quick containment of a breach.

Providing a safe operator environment with correct PPE use is key, but in the event of an accident it is important to have first aid kit and eye wash to hand in the store. Finally, a fire extinguisher easily to hand will provide initial response to potential fire hazards.

Cabinet and Flatpack stores

Cabinet and flatpack stores should still follow the general rules and regulations surrounding chemical storage, but it is also important to consider that cabinets contain an internal bund with appropriate holding capacity.

If they do not have a bund, then an external bund would be required around the cabinet. Cabinets should be secure and lockable and located in line with guidelines away from high traffic locations. 

JFC chemical storage

JFC Agri offers a range of free standing storage cabinets, to provide safe small scale chemical storage solution that can be located on multiple sites. The portable stores are made from a durable polyethylene plastic and bunded to HSE specification.

Large free standing

SC-01 - Overall capacity 700 litres, bunded capacity 125 litres, 1,220 length x 520 length x 1,310 height

SC-02 - Overall capacity 380 litres, bunded capacity 60 litres, 685 length x 520 width x 1,310 height

•            Bunded capacity safety feature to control any possible spillages

•            Fitted with two internal perforated rust-proof and chemical resistant shelves

•            Manufactured from tough durable polyethylene

•            Supplied with a lock and key

•            Fitted with a vent

Wall mountable

SC-03 - Overall capacity 18 litres, bunded capacity 16 litres, 540 length x 435 width x 915 height

•            Fitted with two aluminium shelves

•            Manufactured from tough durable polyethylene

•            Supplied with a lock and key

•            Fitted with a vent

Extenda Line COSHH Chemical Store

Extenda Line offers a fully COSHH-complaint, modular chemical store which has the potential to provide stand alone and additional storage for a farm business.

The flatpack system is fully portable, with galvanised and powder coated finish. Two options are available; the standard specification system and insulated specification option to provide a frost protected option to chemical storage.

The product comes we a full CE mark and five-year guarantee, fully bunded sump and the ability to link multiple units together.

Standard specification 

Insulated Specification