Ensuring your flammable liquids cabinet is used correctly is vital for maintaining workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Whether you're new to using such a cabinet or have relied on one for years, its ability to reduce risks depends entirely on proper loading and maintenance practices. To help you achieve safe and compliant storage, we've outlined five essential practices to follow and five to avoid when managing your flammable cabinet.
Securing all chemical containers with lids is a fundamental safety practice when storing flammable liquids. These substances present risks beyond mere spills or leaks, as they release flammable vapors that can ignite at room temperature, potentially leading to fires or explosions if exposed to an ignition source. Controlling vapor levels within the cabinet is critical not only to minimize these hazards but also to meet Workplace Exposure Standards set by Safe Work Australia, which mandate safe air quality levels. Exceeding legal vapor limits can endanger staff health and result in penalties for your organization. To manage vapor concentrations effectively, store flammable liquids in closed containers or those fitted with taps, and wipe containers clean after use to remove any residue before returning them to the cabinet. This practice significantly reduces the risk of fire, explosion, or harm to personnel.
Properly organizing drums of flammable liquids in your cabinet enhances safety and reduces the likelihood of chemical spills. For drums of 60 liters or more, stack them no higher than two units to ensure stability and compliance with safety standards. Ensure each drum has a tightly secured lid and is cleaned after use to prevent residue-related hazards. If a drum must be stored in a horizontal decanting position, only one drum of 60 liters or more should be placed in this orientation to adhere to safety requirements. Organized stacking simplifies access for staff and minimizes spill risks, contributing to a safer workplace environment.
Flammable liquids cabinets are equipped with a liquid-tight spill sump in the lower section to capture any leaks or spills. Neglecting to clean the sump after a spill can lead to dangerous accumulations of liquid chemicals and flammable vapors. Such buildup increases the risk of fire or explosion if vapors encounter an ignition source and can overwhelm staff accessing the cabinet. Additionally, a full sump compromises the cabinet's ability to contain further spills, potentially allowing chemicals to spread beyond the cabinet and create significant hazards. To maintain compliance and safety, staff should promptly report spills or leaks to supervisors and clean them immediately, ensuring safe disposal of chemical waste, cleaning rags, and other materials.
A flammable cabinet serves as an effective risk control measure when used correctly. Constructed from double-walled steel, it protects flammable chemicals during a workplace fire, facilitating safe staff evacuation, and contains flammable vapors unless a mechanical ventilation system is installed. However, leaving the cabinet doors open undermines these safety features. Staff should be trained to close the doors immediately after accessing or storing chemicals, ensuring doors are never propped open or left ajar for extended periods. Proper loading and stacking practices are also essential to prevent containers from interfering with the door-closing mechanisms, maintaining the cabinet's ability to mitigate fire and explosion risks.
Flammable liquids ignite rapidly and can consume nearby combustible materials, significantly increasing the risk of fire or explosion. To ensure safety, avoid storing combustibles such as excess packaging, paper files, paintbrushes, or cleaning rags inside or on top of the flammable cabinet. Only Class 3 Flammable Liquids should be stored within the cabinet, as additional “fuel” sources in the workplace heighten fire hazards. Following the Australian Standard AS 1940 for storage and handling guidelines ensures the cabinet is used solely for its intended purpose, minimizing risks to your workplace.
Flammable cabinets are designed exclusively for Class 3 Flammable Liquids, and storing incompatible substances alongside them can lead to violent reactions. The nine classes of Dangerous Goods include substances like Class 1 Explosives, Class 2 Gases (except aerosols), Class 4 Flammable Solids, Class 5.1 Oxidizing Agents, Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides, Class 6 Toxic Substances, and Class 8 Corrosive Substances, all of which are incompatible with flammable liquids. Each class requires a dedicated safety cabinet tailored to its specific safety standards. Storing only Class 3 Flammable Liquids in the cabinet ensures compliance and prevents hazardous chemical interactions.
The spill containment sump in a flammable cabinet is a critical safety feature designed to capture chemical spills, not to serve as storage space. Using the sump for storage indicates overloading, which compromises the cabinet's ability to contain spills and increases risks to your organization. When selecting a cabinet, ensure it has sufficient capacity to hold your Class 3 Flammable Liquids comfortably. Storing containers in the sump negates its purpose and violates safety standards, potentially leading to uncontained chemical spills.
Exceeding the maximum storage capacity of a flammable cabinet is a hazardous and non-compliant practice that undermines its safety features, such as fire protection, vapor containment, and spill containment. Overloading increases risks to personnel and property, negating the cabinet's ability to provide a fire barrier or contain chemical spills effectively. To ensure compliance, check the pre-installed sign on the cabinet's front for its maximum load capacity and adhere strictly to this limit. Proper loading practices are essential to maintaining the cabinet's protective capabilities and ensuring workplace safety.
Combining ignition sources with flammable liquids is extremely dangerous due to their low flash point and high volatility. Flammable liquid fires spread quickly, emit toxic fumes, and burn intensely, making them particularly hazardous. No ignition sources—whether chemical, mechanical, electrical, or thermal—should be stored in or near the cabinet. Additionally, ignition sources like power points, pilot lights, or welding equipment should be kept at least 3 meters away to prevent ignition. Comprehensive training for staff and contractors on flammable liquids safety is essential to ensure no ignition sources are brought near the cabinet, reducing the risk of catastrophic fires.
Handling Class 3 Flammable Liquids, such as petrol, acetone, ethanol, kerosene, or paint thinners, requires thorough training due to their hazardous nature. Untrained staff or contractors may misuse the flammable cabinet, increasing workplace risks. Training should cover the cabinet's installation, features, and maintenance, as well as chemical class identification via Safety Data Sheets, the dangers of incompatible substances, ignition source elimination, proper loading and stacking, spill sump cleaning, combustible hazards, risk reduction strategies, emergency procedures, and prohibited activities near the cabinet. Only trained personnel should handle and store flammable liquids to ensure the cabinet's effectiveness in reducing chemical risks.
Properly loading your flammable cabinet is critical to protecting your organization and community from the dangers of flammable liquids. Only cabinets manufactured in full compliance with the Australian Standard AS 1940 should be used for storing Class 3 Flammable Liquids. To further reduce chemical risks in your workplace, consider exploring resources like our eBook, How To Reduce The Risk Of Flammable Liquids In The Workplace, which outlines a four-step risk control methodology tailored to your organization's needs. Download it for free to enhance your safety practices and ensure compliance.
