Storage of hazardous chemicals: legislation, good practices and examples

Chem Consulting
Sep 6
4 min read

Storage of hazardous chemicals is one of the key areas of occupational safety and health. Improper handling can cause serious accidents such as fires, explosions, releases of hazardous substances, environmental threats, and ultimately loss of life. Therefore, it is essential that companies comply with legal requirements while also following professional guidelines.

The fundamental legal framework in Slovenia is defined by the Regulation on technical and organizational measures for the storage of hazardous chemicals (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 23/18 and 123/22), which prescribes mandatory conditions for warehouses, organization, separation of substances, and measures in case of emergencies.

Below, we present the key requirements and practical examples of good practice.

1. Records and warehouse transparency

All companies must keep an up-to-date list of stored chemicals, along with safety data sheets and risk assessments.
Chemicals must be arranged according to a clear scheme that enables quick identification and access.
Regular inspections of packaging prevent potential leaks and uncontrolled reactions.

🔑 Tip: Implement a digital system with barcode scanners that automatically updates records.

2. Ventilation and vapor control

The regulation requires that warehouses are equipped with a ventilation system suitable for the properties of the chemicals.

Vapours heavier than air (e.g., solvents) require extraction at floor level.
Vapours lighter than air (e.g., ammonia) require upper ventilation.
A combination of both systems reduces the risk of explosive mixtures

🔑 Tip: Install vapor sensors connected to an alarm system for safer operations.

3. Fire protection

Warehouses for hazardous chemicals must be designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of fire.
All ignition sources are prohibited (sparks, open flames, ungrounded devices).
Flammable chemicals must be stored in impermeable containers in separate, cooled, and ventilated rooms.
Floors and walls must be made of fire-resistant materials.

🔑 Tip: Use antistatic floor coverings and ensure grounding of all metal parts.

4. Firefighting equipment

By law, appropriate fire extinguishers must always be installed in warehouses, depending on the type of substances stored.
ABC powder extinguishers are recommended for flammable liquids, while water is used only where chemically compatible.
Safety data sheets are the primary source of information on the correct firefighting agent.

🔑 Tip: Conduct regular practical fire-extinguishing drills for employees.

5. Labelling and workspace organization

All hazardous areas must be clearly marked with signs for hazardous substances, explosive zones, and prohibitions.
Transport routes must remain clear and visible.
Chemicals must be stacked stably, without the risk of falling or toppling.
Cabinets, shelves, and other equipment must be made of materials resistant to the chemicals stored there.
Warehouse temperature and humidity must meet the conditions specified by the chemical manufacturer.
If the warehouse includes office space for administrative tasks, it must be physically separated and properly ventilated according to occupational safety regulations. Shops storing goods on retail shelves are exempt from this requirement.
Chemicals should preferably be stored in their original packaging. If repackaging is required for production purposes, the new containers must be labelled and packaged in accordance with regulations governing classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous chemicals.

🔑 Tip: Use color-coded zones for labelling (e.g., red for flammables, blue for oxidizers, yellow for corrosives).

6. Hygiene and cleanliness

Storing food, drinks, and smoking in warehouses is prohibited.
In warehouses where hazardous chemicals are stored, employees must be provided with personal protective equipment in accordance with occupational safety regulations.
Where chemicals classified and labelled with at least one of the following hazard statements are stored: H300, H301, H310, H311, H330, H331, H340, H350, H350i, H360, H360F, H360D, H360FD, H360Fd, H360Df, H370, H372 — employees must be provided with separate lockers for work and personal clothing.
After each contact with chemicals, handwashing and changing of protective equipment is mandatory.
Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and properly decontaminated.

7. First aid equipment and emergency response

Near sections where corrosive chemicals and chemicals with serious health effects (as per Article 7 of the regulation) are stored, a sink or basin with running water and a handheld shower must be provided.
Warehouses must allow emergency calls, with emergency numbers clearly displayed.
Staff must be trained to respond to spills and fires.
Protective equipment must be easily and quickly accessible.
For manageable chemical spills, suitable absorbent material must be permanently available, along with a container for temporary storage of spilled chemicals and other waste generated during clean-up.

8. Storage of hazardous chemicals

The regulation specifies that hazardous chemicals must be stored separately according to their hazardous properties.

Flammable, oxidizing, and corrosive substances must be stored in separate sections or special cabinets.
Floors must be impermeable and equipped with catch basins able to hold at least twice the volume of the largest container.
The warehouse must not have open drains or direct connections to public sewage systems.
Chemicals classified and labelled with at least one of the following hazard statements: H300, H310, H330, and marketed as consumer products, must be stored in locked areas.

🔑 Good practice example: Flammable chemicals are stored in fireproof cabinets (EI 90) with integrated spill trays, while oxidizers are stored in a separate room with an independent ventilation system.

The storage of hazardous chemicals is an area where legislation and practice go hand in hand. The Regulation on technical and organizational measures sets out the minimum requirements, but for truly safe operations, companies must invest in organization, employee training, and modern equipment.

It is important to understand that proper storage is not just a legal obligation, but above all an investment in the safety of people, the company, and the environment.