Common challenges with chemical storage – and how to avoid them
Improper storage of chemicals and hazardous substances increases the risk of accidents, environmental damage and, in the worst case, regulatory breaches. Here we have gathered some of the most common challenges related to chemical storage, and how you can ensure safe chemical management in your organisation.
Inadequate labelling and documentation
One of the most widespread challenges is incorrect or inadequate labeling of products. When hazard symbols and labels are missing or difficult to read, it can lead to confusion or incorrect handling of chemical substances. Therefore, make sure that hazardous chemicals are labeled with clear hazard labels in accordance with CLP regulations, and that safety data sheets (SDS) are updated at all times.
Unsuitable storage conditions
Unsuitable storage conditions can create dangerous situations. Many chemicals can react to heat, moisture or direct sunlight, increasing the risk of leaks, explosions or fire. Therefore, ensure that chemicals are stored at the correct temperature, not in overheated rooms or near heat sources or machinery, and that storage areas have adequate ventilation.
For more detailed information, see the SDS: Section 7 describes requirements for handling and storage, while Section 10 covers stability and reactivity, including conditions and substances to avoid.
Lack of overview of flammable and explosive substances
Many organisations lack a consolidated and up-to-date overview of flammable and explosive substances. This can make it difficult to assess risks, control storage quantities and ensure appropriate preventive measures. Without a good overview, the risk of incorrect storage, undetected ignition sources and inadequate emergency preparedness in the event of fire or explosion increases.
If a potentially explosive atmosphere (ATEX) can be created, there are requirements for risk assessment and documentation in line with the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority’s regulations.
Insufficient training and safety and emergency procedures
Even the best chemical management systems are of little use if employees do not know how to use them. Lack of training can lead to incorrect handling, especially in the event of leaks or incidents. Therefore, ensure that clear procedures are in place for risk assessment, chemical handling and emergency situations, and that all employees receive the necessary training.
Outdated or inadequate equipment
If equipment is old, worn or no longer suited to the chemicals being stored, the risk of hazardous situations increases. Ensure that there are fixed routines for inspection, maintenance and replacement of equipment, and that employees have the correct protective equipment for their work.
Incorrect waste handling
Improper handling of chemical waste can lead to environmental damage and fire hazards. Unfortunately, many organisations lack clear procedures for how hazardous waste should be collected, labelled and stored. Therefore, ensure you have a clear waste management plan, use approved containers and label waste correctly. Waste collection should be arranged with certified waste management companies.
Storage of incompatible chemicals
Certain chemicals must never be stored together, as they can react dangerously with each other. Incorrect co-storage is one of the most common causes of serious accidents. Therefore, divide storage areas by substance type and hazard class. Use separate cabinets or rooms, and label clearly to prevent dangerous chemical reactions.
Examples of incompatible substances:
Acids and bases
Oxidising substances and flammable liquids
Chlorine and ammonia
Manual systems
Many organisations still use manual systems or unclear Excel lists for chemical management. This can increase the risk of errors, lack of updates and poor oversight. This can be avoided by implementing automated systems that provide full oversight of chemicals, documentation, storage conditions and waste management.
Digital tools can solve some of the challenges
By using a digital tool such as Workplace Safety, the company gets a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of chemicals and associated documentation. The system provides guidance on co-storage and alerts you to potential storage hazards, based on the German standard TRGS 510 for co-storage. It’s also easy to look up the safety data sheet directly in the system, so requirements for handling, storage and stability are quickly available.
Good chemical management is primarily about order, structure and good routines. By ensuring clear labelling, correct storage conditions, suitable equipment and simple, up-to-date systems, daily operations can become both safer and more efficient. Small improvements in routines can make a big difference.
Substitution of chemicals: How to choose safer alternatives
Substitution is an important measure to improve the working environment, minimise environmental impact and make it easier to meet requirements from authorities and customers. Here are the basics you need to know about chemical substitution.
What is chemical substitution?
Substitution is about replacing a hazardous chemical with a safer alternative. It can involve replacing substances that are harmful to the environment or health, or changing processes so that the chemical is not needed at all.
Why substitute chemicals?
Substitution should be considered every time the company adopts new products, processes or technologies, especially when chemicals with health and environmental hazards are in use. The duty of substitution means that companies must actively consider alternatives when they exist, as long as this does not entail unreasonable costs or disadvantages.
Employers are required to assess and, where possible, replace hazardous chemicals with less hazardous alternatives. This follows from the Working Environment Act, Regulations on the Performance of Work and the Product Control Act, which together form the basis for the substitution obligation. The requirement also covers packaging and work processes that can affect exposure, in line with the principle of using the safest available alternatives.
Examples of substitution
Here are some examples of chemicals with safer alternatives:
Isocyanates in some adhesives, sealants and foams can be replaced with isocyanate-free or water-based products.
Solvent-based paints and varnishes can be replaced with water-based paint systems with lower VOC content.
Oil-based coolants and lubricants can be replaced with water-soluble or synthetic coolants with lower health risks.
Packaging for cleaning agents can be switched to solutions with reduced aerosol formation (e.g. pump bottle or foam dispenser) to minimise inhalation risk and exposure during use.
Substitution always requires a specific assessment, because conditions vary from business to business.
Challenges with substitution
There are some challenges with substitution in practice. Here are the most typical ones:
There is a lack of optimal substitutes: There is not always a better alternative with the same technical quality without the same risk.
Can be costly: Alternative chemicals can be more expensive than current products. In such cases, you need to consider the risk of keeping current chemicals versus the cost of switching to safer alternatives.
It can be time-consuming: Searching for alternatives, testing them, documenting, getting approval and changing procedures can take time.
May be unknown or new risk factors: Substitutes are not necessarily completely harmless. Alternative products may have other hazards that need to be considered.
New chemicals require training and new routines: New chemicals may involve changes in handling, storage and protective equipment. Inadequate training or adaptations can lead to misuse and accidents.
Benefits of substitution
Although substitution may seem challenging, it is one of the most important and effective ways to reduce chemical risks. Here are some of the benefits:
Safer working environment: Replacing hazardous chemicals reduces the risk of accidents and health problems.
Less environmental impact: Substitution can contribute to fewer emissions of environmentally hazardous substances.
Meeting stakeholder requirements: Customers, business partners and society in general are placing ever higher demands on the environment and safety.
Regulatory compliance: Choosing safer alternatives can help meet legal requirements from the Working Environment Act, REACH, CLP and other regulations.
Safer operations and delivery: Products that are hazardous to health and the environment may be subject to restrictions on use and sale through regulations.
Strengthened competitiveness: Through innovation, green profile and lower risk of future restrictions or costs, the business can strengthen its position in the market.
Improved decision-making through AI: The use of artificial intelligence can help identify and assess safer alternatives more quickly and accurately. AI can analyze large volumes of data on the health and environmental properties of chemicals, regulatory requirements, and areas of application, thereby supporting the substitution process.
Identify which chemicals are used or planned to be used and assess the risk to health and the environment based on safety data sheets (SDS) and probability of exposure. Consider not only the hazard of the substance, but also the exposure situation. Involve your employees early in the process as they often have valuable practical experience.
2. Check if there are alternatives
Investigate possible alternatives through suppliers, industry associations or digital tools. Consider technical, practical and financial aspects.
3. Assess, compare and select
Compare the options in terms of risk, environmental impact, resource use and costs, and choose the one that provides the lowest overall risk and greatest benefit. Feel free to test the option on a small scale before full transition to ensure it works in practice.
4. Inform customers and suppliers
Share information about new chemicals or processes so that the change can be communicated throughout the value chain.
There are a number of resources and digital tools that can help identify, assess and document the substitution of chemicals. By working systematically to identify and introduce safer alternatives, businesses can reduce risk, meet regulatory and customer requirements and strengthen their competitiveness. Replacing hazardous chemicals is therefore not just about removing risk, but about creating new opportunities.
Carcinogenic chemicals need to be higher on the HSE agenda
Cancer is the most common cause of work-related death, accounting for more than half of all occupational deaths in Western countries. It is largely due to exposure to chemicals at work.
This clear message from the Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) is a serious reminder of the need for better control and knowledge in working life.
Having up-to-date, documented and accessible information about carcinogenic chemicals in the workplace is crucial – both to protect workers here and now, and to ensure verifiable knowledge in the years to come. Many cancers develop over a long period of time, and exposures today can lead to serious illness decades later. Therefore, exposures must be logged and preserved, even when protective equipment is in use and the health effects are not immediately visible.
With a clear overview of which substances, processes and work operations involve risk, the company can work more purposefully with prevention, substitution and technical measures.
The costs of work-related cancer are high, both for individuals and society. For those affected, the disease can mean loss of health, ability to work and quality of life. It also affects relatives, who often find themselves in a demanding and unpredictable care situation. For society, this entails large expenses for treatment, social security benefits, lost labor and compensation cases. A systematic focus on documenting and registering chemical exposures is therefore not only good HSE – it is also socio-economically and ethically responsible.
Why do we need to prioritise carcinogenic chemicals?
According to STAMI, work-related cancer can be prevented – but only if we know who is exposed, to what, and in what quantities. In the articleWith good knowledge we can prevent work-related cancer, this is highlighted as a critical point: The most important sources of exposure are chemicals and dust in the process industry, construction, offshore activities and laboratories. Yet many companies lack the necessary overview and documentation.
This is also supported by the government’s national cancer strategy (2025-2035), where Ten-year goal 5: Prevent more, detect earlier states that work-related cancer should be reduced. The strategy points to the need for better registration, systematics and prevention, with particular emphasis on measures such as exposure registers and chemical inventory.
Prioritising the work with carcinogenic substances is therefore not just about regulatory compliance – it’s about protecting life and health through knowledge-based and documented HSE work.
Control of hazardous chemicals and exposures is crucial
Working with carcinogens occurs both through the use of classified chemicals, such as benzene, formaldehyde and gasoline, and in work processes that generate hazardous pollutants. Many of these process-generated substances are both widespread and underreported, posing a real health risk in a number of industries.
Examples of such sources of exposure include:
Respirable crystalline silica (quartz): Particularly in drilling, concrete sawing, sandblasting and other work with mineral materials
Asbestos: Which is still present in older buildings and poses a hazard during refurbishment and demolition
Diesel exhaust: From vehicles and machinery in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas
Welding fume: A complex mixture of metal oxides, nitrogen oxides and particles
Radon: An invisible, radioactive gas that can build up in tunnels, basements and mining areas
In order to reduce health risks, and at the same time comply with the requirements of Chapter 31 of the Regulations on the Performance of Work, companies must have a systematic overview and documentation.
This means:
Chemical inventory: Up-to-date overview of all hazardous chemicals in use and process-generated substances, including hazard labeling and safety data sheets
Risk assessments: Mapping of which work operations and substances pose cancer risks, as well as which technical and organisational measures are required
Exposure register: Accurate documentation of who has been exposed, to which substances, where and when – as a basis for health monitoring and possible compensation for occupational diseases
Exposure register – the most important document you (might) not have
An exposure register must be kept for employees who are, or may be, exposed to health hazards at work. This is a requirement in Chapter 31 of the Regulations on the performance of work, and applies to a number of known risk factors.
Who should be registered?
The exposure register includes employees who are or may be exposed:
1. Classified chemicals:
Carcinogenic substances: Carc 1A / 1B
Substances harmful to genetic material: Mut 1A / 1B
Substances harmful to reproduction: Repr 1A / 1B
2. Specific processes and substances mentioned in the regulation:
Preparation of auramine
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soot, tar or pitch
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soot, tar or pitch
Preparation of 2-propanol by strongly acidic process
Exposure to hardwood dust
3. Other exposures harmful to health:
Lead and lead compounds
Asbestos fiber and asbestos-containing dust
Biological factors in infection risk group 3 or 4, or with annotation D
Ionizing radiation
Hazardous substances in rock work
Why is the exposure register so important?
The exposure register has three key purposes:
To give the employer an overview of who has been exposed to harmful conditions
Ensuring traceability over time, so that exposure can be traced even many decades later
The register must be verifiable and stored for 40-60 years, which places high demands on data security, maintenance and system management. It is also important to note that the use of protective equipment does not exempt from registration – it is the exposure itself that must be documented, regardless of the level of protection.
A well-maintained exposure register is not only a legal requirement, but a key tool for long-term health monitoring, prevention and responsible working environment management.
Digital tools that provide overview and control of chemicals
With good digital solutions in place, HSE work becomes more efficient, more verifiable and, not least, far better equipped to prevent health risks in practice. When it comes to chemical handling, this is particularly important: It must be possible to track, risk assess and follow up each individual chemical, over time and across workplaces.
Digital tools such as Workplace Safety and ChemCenter have been developed precisely to meet these requirements. They support the company in working in a structured way with substance records, risk assessments and exposure overviews, and help ensure that chemical information is up-to-date, accessible and in line with regulations. The result is better control, higher quality documentation and better conditions for preventing damage to health. Such tools lay the foundation for HSE work that is effective, verifiable and sustainable over time.
Written by Hans Kristian Brekken, chemist and product developer at Workplace Safety.
Do you want guidance?
Many employers are unsure of what an exposure register should actually contain, how it should be established and what requirements apply in practice. Contact us for guidance on how to establish an exposure register with good routines that give you control, overview and peace of mind.
Are you responsible for HSE and chemical management in your organisation? Here are 10 tips to help make your working day a little safer.
1. Create a clear chemical inventory
Make sure that your company has a chemical inventory that provides a complete overview of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Here, employees can easily see where the chemicals are located and what hazards they can cause.
2. Easily accessible safety data sheet
All chemicals must have an updated safety data sheet (SDS) with information on chemical handling, hazards, protective equipment and first aid measures. Therefore, make sure that these data sheets are easily accessible to employees (e.g. via QR code, on mobile/tablet), so that they can be actively used in the daily operation.
3. Training in safety practices and procedures
Employees must receive thorough training in the company’s safety routines and procedures. This can include everything from risk assessment to the choice and use of protective measures. If there are no clear guidelines for handling chemicals, the employer must ensure that such guidelines are established quickly and that employees receive adequate training in them.
Hazardous chemicals in the workplace, their names, risks and limits
Use of chemical inventory, risk assessments and changes to these
Correct use of work equipment
Necessary protective measures for safe execution
Managing disruptions and emergencies
4. Clear labeling and storage
All chemical products must be labeled with names and hazard symbols in accordance with the CLP regulations, and stored properly. This may involve storage in separate cabinets or rooms. For particularly hazardous chemicals, it may be necessary to lock cabinets or restrict access so that only qualified personnel have access.
5. Customised protective measures
Safety measures must always be adapted to the actual use of the chemicals and the specific work operation.
Always consider whether hazardous chemicals can be replaced with less hazardous alternatives(substitution). This reduces risk and is part of the substitution obligation. If your business uses a chemical management system, it can often provide automatic suggestions for safer alternatives.
8. Digitise documentation
A chemical inventory can be kept both on paper and digitally, but digital solutions often provide a better overview and ease of use. When documentation is digitised, it becomes easier to search for chemicals, update safety data sheets and share information across departments. Many systems also offer functions such as automatic notification of expired SDSs, suggestions for substitution and integration with risk assessments and internal control. A great idea is therefore to gather all documentation digitally in one place.
9. Revise and improve
Safe handling of chemicals is not a one-off task, but a continuous process as part of the company’s systematic HSE work. New chemicals, changed work routines or updated laws and regulations may require adjustments to routines and measures. Therefore, the company should regularly review the chemical inventory, safety routines and risk assessments to ensure that they are still relevant.
10. Involve your employees
Involve employees in chemical management and auditing work, as they have practical experience that can contribute to better solutions. When the people who actually work with chemicals are actively involved, you create both better routines and a stronger safety culture.
Safe chemical handling is about combining well-structured routines and systems with the right equipment and active employee involvement. By following these 10 tips, your business can reduce risk, prevent accidents and contribute to a safer working environment.
Q&A with the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority: Exposure register
An exposure register documents employees’ potential or actual exposure to hazardous substances or processes.
Chapter 31 of the Regulations on the Performance of Work specifies which exposures are to be registered, but the wording of the regulations can be interpreted in different ways and we see that there are different practices for registering exposure among our Workplace Safety customers.
In order to get answers to our questions, we invited the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority to a webinar, and everyone who works with hazardous chemicals was welcome to participate. Some of these questions are summarized here.
Our summary of the questions
Who is responsible for the exposure register?
The employer is the obligated party. This means that it is the employer who has the overall responsibility for ensuring that a register is kept – and that the exposures are recorded correctly.
How do you know if the substances are classified as Carc 1A and 1B, Mut 1A and 1B, Repr. 1A or Repr. 1B?
Use the safety data sheet in the substance register to find out if the substance belongs to any of the classifications that require registration under section 31-1. This information can also be found on the product’s packaging.
Classification is given in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, Table 3
In Workplace Safety, products in these classes will automatically be marked with an exposure icon, so it is easy to see in the substance register whether exposed employees must be registered.
You can also search for classification on the website of the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA:
New registry requirement for reprotoxic substances
As of April 5, 2024, work with substances classified as Repr 1A and Repr 1B is also subject to registration in the exposure register.
Are there requirements for the format of an exposure register?
No, the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority has no format requirements. The requirements for what the register should contain are set out in the regulations, but the exposure register can be an Excel sheet.
What does “anyone who is, or may be, exposed” mean?
This means all work situations where employee exposure cannot be ruled out.
The requirement for exposure registration should be interpreted as follows: All employees who are exposed, or who may be exposed, MUST be registered.
It also means considering personnel who may be exposed even if they are not directly engaged in tasks or processes where they may be exposed. This could be cleaning and maintenance staff, or other functions that are only present at the workplace for a short period of time.
How do you know which work operations or processes to register?
The employer’s risk assessment must always form the basis for this assessment.
The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority does not have a set answer to which exposure situations should be registered. It is up to the company itself to risk assess the various conditions, and it is up to the company itself to decide whether employees are exposed or not.
If the employer believes that a register is not required, this must be documented.
What if the concentration is far below the limit value?
There is no lower limit for concentration, where you do not need to keep records.
Limit values are based on current knowledge of health effects, and also take into account economic and technical aspects.
There is no absolute limit to when health risks can occur. Therefore, all exposures should be recorded, no matter how low.
This may mean that almost all employees in a company must be registered. In cases where exposure is very low, this will be stated in the register information.
How should you record the time and duration of the exposure?
The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority is clear that you can have a pragmatic approach to entering time and duration. It should be as detailed as possible, but it should also be practically feasible.
Here it is permitted to provide average calculations. In other words, you don’t have to take measurements every day to find out what concentrations you were exposed to on different days.
Should personal protective equipment be taken into account in a risk assessment?
No, you don’t.
The protection provided by PPE will never be 100% safe (lack of maintenance, incorrect use, lack of training etc.), therefore this should not be taken into account in an exposure risk assessment.
What exactly is meant by “rock work”?
The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority confirms that the text of the regulation is unclear on what is considered rock work, and that this is something they will work on to specify. The Labor Inspection Authority associates rock work with mining, quarrying, tunneling and other rock excavation that is carried out on a large scale.
Should crushing rock in a laboratory be considered rock work?
The answer from the Labor Inspection Authority is no. The crushing of rock in a laboratory is not considered rock work. This means that, according to the regulations, there are no registration requirements for employees who are exposed to carcinogenic chemicals, such as quartz, when crushing rock in a laboratory.
Quartz is not classified in accordance with CLP and is therefore not subject to a registration requirement. This is a weakness, according to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. They therefore communicate that companies can start registering this type of exposure now, even though it is not a requirement.
Some of the companies that use the exposure register in Workplace Safety explain that they interpret quartz as a carcinogenic chemical, and that they therefore record exposure to it when they work with crushing rock in the lab. This registration is not a requirement at present, as the work is not considered rock work. But it should be, according to the Labor Inspection Authority.
However, if you are exposed to quartz in rock work (i.e. rock excavation carried out on a large scale), it is subject to registration (even though quartz is not classified in CLP). This is because dust containing quartz is considered to be a process-generated hazardous substance that can come from the bedrock. Ref. § Section 31-5 of the Regulations on the performance of work.
Do all employers have to keep a register of COVID-19 sufferers?
Yes, if the employees became ill as a result of infection at work.
All employees who have been infected at work and who have become ill as a result of the infection must be registered.
The requirement came into force shortly after the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and applies to all businesses.
There’s a lot we don’t yet know about COVID-19 in terms of after-effects and so on. That’s why it’s important that those who suffer health damage due to infection at work are registered so that their exposure is documented.
For healthcare workers, the requirements are even stricter: Healthcare workers who treat people with COVID-19 must always be entered into an exposure register – regardless of whether they have become ill or not.
Do you have questions about exposure registers or chemical management?
