Storage of additional chemicals starts to cause Safety concerns

Irish firms are increasing their stock ahead of Brexit on 31 October and are being reminded to take the necessary steps to ensure that all chemicals are stored safely. 

Speaking on behalf of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), on 10 October, Assistant Chief Executive, Yvonne Mullooly, has urged companies to fulfil their legal obligations, by checking their chemical risk assessments for storage of hazardous chemicals on their sites. She said, "As the Brexit clock ticks down, we are aware that some companies have been increasing their stocks of raw materials for the manufacturing of components or finished goods on premises and warehouses across Ireland. There is an understandable reason for this, as some supply chains will change as a result of Brexit."

If employers store higher than usual quantities of hazardous chemicals, they are at risk of increasing the possibilities of incidents, or of possibly reaching thresholds under the the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations (COMAH) SI 209/2015. The use and storage of chemicals is one of the highest hazards in warehouses and drumstores, as they are flammable, explosive or toxic in nature. As well as fires, the risk of the storage can lead to chemicals being stored close to others that are incompatible for one another - leading to some dangerous results. 

The HSA is strongly urging employees to review their current chemical risk assessments in order to take account of the excess supplies on site, and to ensure that any additional control measures are in place. 

She followed by further reminding employees to report any possible or existing spillages, and the importance of making people aware of these chemical incidents, saying that, "If an employee is injured as a result of a chemical exposure incident, or if there is an uncontrolled or accidental release of a hazardous substance on site, employers must report the incident to the Authority using our online accident and dangerous occurrences reporting system".

Non-fatal accidents or dangerous occurrences must be reported within 10 days of the event. 

Further information on the storage of chemicals in the event of Brexit, can be found here:

• Irish Companies warned over threat to chemical supplies in no-deal Brexit.