Before You Start: COSHH Cabinet Safety Checklist

• Check the Safety Data Sheet for each substance before storage.
• Confirm the cabinet is suitable for the hazard type being stored.
• Check containers are sealed, labelled and in good condition.
• Do not store incompatible substances together.
• Keep only suitable quantities in the cabinet.
• Make sure spill trays, sumps or bunds are clean and unobstructed.
• Ensure the cabinet is labelled with the correct hazard warning signage.
• Keep the cabinet locked or access-controlled where required by your workplace procedure.
• Keep an up-to-date contents list or chemical inventory where required.
• Report damaged doors, shelves, locks, corrosion, leaks or strong odours immediately.

What Is a COSHH Cabinet?

A COSHH cabinet is a hazardous substance storage cabinet used to store substances that could be harmful to health if they are spilled, inhaled, swallowed, touched or mixed incorrectly. COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, and in practical terms it means identifying hazardous substances, assessing the risks and using suitable controls to reduce exposure.

A COSHH cabinet is not just a general storage cupboard. It is designed to help organise, contain and restrict access to hazardous substances. Depending on the cabinet type, it may include hazard warning labels, spill containment, lockable doors, reinforced construction, corrosion-resistant materials or special features for flammable or corrosive substances.

What Should Be Stored in a COSHH Cabinet?

COSHH cabinets are commonly used for substances that could pose a health, safety or environmental risk if stored incorrectly. The exact storage requirement should always be based on the product label, hazard pictograms, Safety Data Sheet and your organisation’s COSHH assessment.

Reading the Safety Data Sheet Before Storage

The Safety Data Sheet, often called the SDS, is one of the most useful documents for deciding how a substance should be stored. It gives information about hazards, handling, storage, incompatibilities, exposure controls, spills and disposal.

COSHH Hazard Symbols and Storage Considerations

Hazard pictograms help users quickly identify the type of risk a substance may present. They should always be read alongside the Safety Data Sheet and your COSHH assessment.

Choosing the Right Cabinet

The correct cabinet should be chosen based on the hazard type, substance compatibility, container size, quantity stored, site procedure and SDS storage requirements.

Where to Position a COSHH Cabinet

• Place the cabinet on a stable, level surface.
• Keep it away from heat, direct sunlight and ignition sources.
• Do not block walkways, fire exits, emergency equipment or access routes.
• Position the cabinet where authorised users can access it safely.
• Keep the cabinet away from areas where it may be knocked by trolleys, doors or equipment.
• Ensure ventilation requirements are met where specified by the cabinet design or substance information.
• Do not position cabinets where spills could easily enter drains or spread into public areas.
• Make sure there is enough space to open doors fully and remove containers safely.

Chemical Segregation and Compatibility

Chemical segregation means storing substances so that incompatible materials are kept apart. This is important because leaks, spills or vapours from incompatible chemicals can create dangerous reactions, fumes, fire or corrosion.

COSHH Cabinet Capacity and Stock Control

Good stock control reduces clutter, prevents expired or unknown chemicals building up, and makes inspections easier. It also helps ensure the cabinet is not overloaded or used as a general store cupboard.

• Keep only the quantity needed for normal work or teaching activities.
• Review contents regularly and remove expired, duplicate or unwanted substances safely.
• Use first-in-first-out stock rotation where appropriate.
• Keep a contents list or inventory for higher-risk or frequently audited stores.
• Record opening dates, expiry dates and disposal dates where required.
• Do not store unknown, unlabelled or deteriorated substances.
• Keep containers upright and visible so labels can be checked easily.
• Do not use the cabinet for unrelated equipment, paperwork or personal items.

COSHH Cabinet Ventilation Explained

Some hazardous substance storage cabinets may need ventilation depending on the substances stored, cabinet design and site procedure. Other cabinets are designed to be used closed and unventilated unless the manufacturer or risk assessment says otherwise.

Security and Access Control

COSHH cabinets should be managed so that only authorised and trained users can access hazardous substances. This is especially important in schools, colleges, shared laboratories and workplaces where students, visitors or untrained staff may be nearby.

• Keep cabinets locked where required by your site procedure.
• Limit key access to authorised users.
• Do not leave keys in cabinet doors.
• Make sure students or unauthorised users cannot access hazardous substances unsupervised.
• Keep contents lists and SDS documents available to authorised staff.
• Report missing keys, damaged locks or evidence of tampering immediately.
• Train users to return substances promptly and close the cabinet after use.

COSHH Cabinet Inspection Checklist

Regular inspections help identify leaks, poor storage, damaged containers, expired stock and cabinet defects before they become serious problems.

Maintenance and Housekeeping

• Check shelves, hinges, locks and handles regularly.
• Inspect bunds, trays and sumps for spills or residue.
• Remove old, expired or unneeded substances according to your disposal procedure.
• Keep labels, hazard signs and contents lists up to date.
• Clean small residues only if it is safe and permitted by your site procedure.
• Report corrosion, damaged shelves, broken locks or poor door closure.
• Do not drill into or modify the cabinet unless approved by the manufacturer or competent person.
• Keep a record of checks where required by your organisation.

Equipment Commonly Used With COSHH Cabinets

The right supporting equipment helps improve storage safety, spill response, chemical handling and inspection routines.

Common COSHH Cabinet Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

COSHH Cabinet Troubleshooting Guide

Emergency Actions

COSHH Cabinet FAQs

What is a COSHH cabinet?

A COSHH cabinet is a storage cabinet used to store substances hazardous to health safely, securely and in line with workplace COSHH procedures.

What should be stored in a COSHH cabinet?

Chemicals, cleaning products, laboratory reagents, corrosives, flammables and other hazardous substances may need COSHH cabinet storage depending on the SDS, product label and risk assessment.

Can acids and alkalis be stored together?

Acids and alkalis should usually be stored separately unless your SDS information and risk assessment confirm that combined storage is safe.

What is the difference between a COSHH cabinet and a flammable cabinet?

A COSHH cabinet is for general hazardous substance storage, while a flammable cabinet is specifically designed for flammable liquids and materials. Flammables should be stored in a suitable flammable cabinet.

Do all chemicals need a COSHH cabinet?

Not all chemicals require the same type of storage. Storage should be based on the hazard label, SDS, COSHH assessment and site procedure.

How often should a COSHH cabinet be inspected?

Cabinets should be checked regularly. Many workplaces use quick pre-use checks, weekly housekeeping checks and periodic stock reviews.

Should a COSHH cabinet be locked?

Many COSHH cabinets should be locked or access-controlled, especially where hazardous substances are stored in schools, shared labs or public-facing workplaces.

What should I do if a chemical leaks inside the cabinet?

Do not touch the leak without suitable PPE and training. Identify the substance only if safe, keep people away and follow your spill procedure.

Can a COSHH cabinet be used for general storage?

No. COSHH cabinets should be reserved for approved hazardous substances and related storage controls, not general equipment, paperwork or personal items.

Do COSHH cabinets need ventilation?

Some may require ventilation depending on the substances, SDS guidance, cabinet design and risk assessment. Do not modify a cabinet without approval.

Need COSHH Cabinets or Hazardous Storage Equipment?

Choosing the correct hazardous substance storage cabinet helps improve safety, compliance, organisation and chemical stock control. Better Equipped supplies COSHH cabinets, flammable cabinets, acid cabinets, spill control products, safety goggles, gloves and laboratory storage equipment for schools, colleges and laboratories throughout the UK.

About This Guide

This guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying COSHH cabinets, hazardous storage cabinets, laboratory safety equipment and practical science resources to schools, colleges, universities and laboratories throughout the UK.

Our aim is to help schools, technicians, laboratories and workplace users store hazardous substances more safely, reduce spill and exposure risks, and improve chemical storage organisation.

Last reviewed and updated: June 2026