Guide to storing flammable liquids in the workplace released

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has developed a guide about the storage of flammable liquids for small to medium-sized businesses that provides step-by-step guidance about managing those risks. The guide helps businesses determine how flammable liquids are and which other chemicals they are safe to be around. The guide also helps businesses ensure there is proper ventilation, and that they have the correct firefighting equipment.

“This is a particularly relevant issue at the moment because of the increased use and storage of flammable hand sanitisers at Australian workplaces,” said SWA Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter. Flammable liquids like fuels, solvents and alcohols are a common source of fuel for fires and explosions, as they produce flammable vapour and ignite at low temperatures. Baxter urged businesses using, handling, making or storing flammable liquids to manage the risks to health and safety posed by these liquids, to protect those in the workplace.

Developed in consultation with representatives from work health and safety regulators, unions and industry groups, the guide provides an example of a business that uses and stores flammable liquids, and gives advice about workplace placarding for storing large quantities of flammable liquids. SWA has also published a case study for businesses about storing and rebottling hand sanitiser. The case study outlines steps that need to be taken when storing hand sanitiser, such as ensuring businesses have the chemicals safety data sheet and making sure that it is stored in a safe place.

The ‘Storage of flammable liquids’ guide is available here, on the SWA website.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Koonsiri