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An essential guide to help you be better informed when purchasing COSHH cabinets.
COSHH cabinets, or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health cabinets, are essential for safely storing chemicals, flammables, corrosives and hazardous substances in schools, laboratories, workshops and industrial environments.
Although the cabinets may appear similar, choosing the right one requires understanding regulations, construction materials, ventilation needs, internal layout and chemical compatibility. This guide breaks down everything you should know before purchasing.
A downloadable PDF version of this guide can be opened by clicking the buying guide image.
COSHH Cabinet Components
Understanding the main parts of a COSHH cabinet makes it easier to compare models and choose one that is safe, compliant and suitable for the chemicals being stored.
The key areas to check are welded steel construction, hazard symbols, ventilation slots, durable powder-coated finish, integral liquid-tight sump, spill-retaining shelves and secure locking.
A good-quality COSHH cabinet should be robust, clearly labelled, easy to clean and suitable for the specific class of hazardous substances being stored.
1. Identify Your Primary Use Case
Start by deciding where and why you will use the cabinet. Different settings have different compliance and durability needs.
✓School / teaching labs
Clearly labelled cabinets, robust steel construction, adjustable shelves and secure locking systems to restrict student access.
✓Research / professional labs
Higher capacity, corrosion-resistant interiors, optional extract ventilation and segregation of incompatible chemicals.
✓Workshops / engineering departments
Durable welded steel, spill-retaining shelves and scratch-resistant powder coating.
✓Industrial / chemical handling areas
Large-capacity units, specialised cabinets for flammables, acids or pesticides, heavy-duty sump trays and strict safety compliance.
2. Understand the Types of COSHH Cabinets
Not all hazardous substances can be safely stored together. Choose cabinets based on the materials you handle.
General Hazardous Substance Cabinets
Usually yellow and COSHH-labelled. Used for paints, oils, cleaning chemicals, non-flammable solvents and general hazardous liquids. Common in schools and workshops.
Flammable Storage Cabinets
Often bright yellow with flame-proof labelling. Designed for flammable liquids such as ethanol, acetone and toluene, with fire-resistant construction and sealed sump trays.
Acid & Corrosive Cabinets
Typically blue or white. Interior coatings or liners resist corrosion, and shelves may be plastic-lined or polypropylene for chemical compatibility.
Pesticide or Agrochemical Cabinets
Often red, with ventilation options to prevent vapour build-up and secure locking for restricted chemical access.
Never store acids, alkalis and flammables in the same cabinet unless the cabinet is specifically designed for segregation.
3. Construction Materials & Durability
Material quality affects durability, corrosion resistance and heat tolerance.
Recommended features
Welded steel construction to minimise leak points.
Durable powder-coated finish to resist chemical splashes.
Reinforced doors to prevent warping and ensure consistent sealing.
Spill-retaining shelves to capture minor leaks.
Integral liquid-tight sump to catch major spills.
Avoid
Riveted or thin steel panels, which are less robust and more prone to corrosion.
Cabinets without sump trays.
Shelves that are not easily removable or adjustable.
High-quality COSHH cabinets may include 20 gauge mild steel, welded seams, reinforced non-combustible doors, high melting point hinges, lockable handles, adjustable spill-tray shelves, internal spillage sumps and warning signs on the doors.
4. Ventilation Considerations
Most COSHH cabinets are designed for passive storage, not as extraction units. However, ventilation may be necessary when vapour build-up is a risk.
No ventilation
Standard option suitable for most general chemicals.
Vent ports with fans or filters
Used where chemical odours or vapours require management.
Ducted extraction upgrades
For industrial or high-hazard substances.
Only ventilate if required. Venting can compromise fire protection or cabinet integrity unless the cabinet is designed for it.
5. Size, Capacity & Internal Layout
Common options
Wall-mounted cabinets for small teaching labs or bench-level access.
Under-bench cabinets for flammables near workstations.
Tall upright cabinets for high capacity and larger containers.
Mobile COSHH cabinets for maintenance or engineering workshops.
Consider
Number of shelves.
Whether shelves can be removed to fit tall bottles.
Weight capacity, especially for industrial containers.
Door configuration such as single, double or sliding.
6. Labelling & Compliance
A COSHH cabinet must be clearly identifiable and compliant with relevant regulations.
Check for
Conspicuous hazard symbols, such as GHS/CLP symbols.
COSHH warning labels.
Clear signage for flammables, corrosives or general hazards.
Manufacturer compliance declaration or safety statement.
Chemicals inside matching the cabinet labelling.
Inspectors will check labelling, so make sure the cabinet signage matches what is actually stored inside.
7. Security and Locking Systems
Keeping hazardous substances secure is mandatory in many settings.
Keyed locking mechanisms, standard for most cabinets.
Padlockable latches, useful for shared facilities or supervised areas.
Reinforced lock housings to help prevent forced entry.
Reinforced doors, such as 20 gauge mild steel, non-combustible construction and 30 minute fire rating.
8. Ease of Maintenance
A well-designed cabinet makes cleaning and upkeep straightforward.
Look for
Smooth, powder-coated surfaces for easy wiping.
Removable, spill-retaining shelves.
Accessible sump area for cleaning. Never store items in the sump.
Corrosion-resistant hinges and fittings.
Door seals that are easy to inspect and replace.
Avoid cabinets with complex internal structures that trap spills.
9. COSHH Cabinet Buying Checklist
Before purchasing, make sure you confirm:
1Compliance & certification
Cabinet is labelled for COSHH hazardous-substance storage.
Meets relevant UK/EU standards, such as COSHH Regulations and BS EN 14470-1 for flammables.
UKCA/CE marking present.
Chemical hazard signage included.
2Construction & build quality
Robust steel construction, fully welded rather than riveted.
Corrosion-resistant powder coating.
Doors operate smoothly and close fully.
Integrated spill-retaining shelves and leak-proof sump.
3Size, capacity & layout
Capacity suitable for all chemical containers.
Adjustable shelves included.
Shelf load rating adequate.
Enough vertical clearance for larger containers.
Separate storage areas for incompatible chemical classes if needed.
4Chemical compatibility
Cabinet material is compatible with stored substances.
Supplier provides chemical compatibility guidance.
Separate storage available for acids, alkalis, flammables and oxidisers.
No reactive chemicals stored together.
5Ventilation & extraction
Check whether ventilation is required based on SDS information.
Cabinet has sealed ventilation ports if needed.
Safe connection options for ducted or recirculating filtration.
Ventilation does not compromise fire rating for flammable cabinets.
6Fire protection
Fire rating clearly stated, such as 30 minutes or 90 minutes per BS EN 14470-1.
Fire-resistant construction and insulation if storing flammables.
7Safety & security
Lockable doors using key, padlock or digital lock.
Clearly visible hazard signage.
Intrinsically safe internal lighting if applicable.
Anti-tip design or ability to anchor to wall or floor.
8Spill & leak management
Sump capacity meets requirements, such as 110% of the largest container or 25% of total volume stored.
Sump is easily accessible for cleaning.
Shelves are designed to trap spills.
Absorbent materials are available nearby.
9Documentation & supplier support
Supplier provides a COSHH cabinet specification sheet.
Warranty included.
Replacement parts available, such as shelves, filters and locks.
Installation guidance and chemical storage guidance provided.
10Location & installation
Positioned away from heat and ignition sources.
Installed on a level floor.
Adequate access space for opening doors.
Clear evacuation pathways.
Adequate room ventilation and correct area signage.
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