Chemical Storage Guidelines

Storing chemicals in laboratories requires consideration of a number of health and safety factors. In general, lab workers should store chemicals in cabinets and on shelving provided for such storage. For instance, flammable liquids should be stored in a flammable liquids storage cabinet.

The following are general storage guidelines:

• Do not store chemicals on top of high cabinets where they will be hard to see or reach.
• Keep exits, passageways, areas under tables or benches, and emergency equipment free of stored materials.
• Label all containers appropriately. The label must be legible and accurate.
• Provide a definite storage place for each chemical and return the chemical to that location after each use.
• Avoid storing chemicals on bench tops, except for those chemicals being used currently.
• Avoid storing chemicals in laboratory fume hoods, except for the chemicals being used currently.
• If a chemical does not require a ventilated cabinet, store it inside a closable cabinet or on a shelf that has a lip to prevent containers from sliding off in the event of a fire, serious accident, or earthquake.
• Observe all precautions regarding the storage of incompatible chemicals.
• Separate chemicals into compatible groups.