Farm Chemical Storage Checklist
Date Assessment Completed ……………………..
Item
1. Do you have a lockable chemical store? Ideally a stand-alone
concrete or brick constructed store (an iron-clad store is
acceptable) with a concrete floor
2. Is the chemical store construction suitable for the
chemicals stored?
 Fire rating
 Concrete floor
3. Is your chemical store located in the most appropriate
position?
 Close to delivery and despatch points
 Complies with local government and OH&S
legislation
 Complies with separation distances from other
buildings, services and roadways
 Appropriate for wash-down and spillage clean-up
 Ideally, a stand-alone store that is clear of other
workplace services and activities
4. Has an interceptor trap been installed to the drain from the
floor of the chemical store?
 An interceptor trap needs to be installed so that the
store can be washed out without any chemicals
escaping into the environment
 The contents of the trap can be pumped into a
container and taken to the disposal depot
5. Does the store have natural, filtered lighting? If the store is
fitted with electricity, is there a risk of creating a spark?
6. Is the chemical store vented correctly? There should be a
vent at the highest point and the lowest point in the store to
prevent the build-up of gases and vapours
Yes
No
Required Action
A section of an existing building an be
partitioned off to form a chemical store
Check the MSDS
Check local Council laws and ensure that
you comply with their requirements. Refer to
the Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Substance
Regulations or to “A Step by Step Guide for
Managing Chemicals”
Ensure interceptor trap is installed. A
manual pump should be used to avoid sparks.
The interceptor trap may contain flammable
materials and dangerous gases
Intrinsically safe lighting must be
installed if natural lighting is not available
Refer to the Dangerous Goods /
Hazardous Substance Regulations for the
details of vent location and size or to “A Step
by Step Guide for Managing Chemicals”
Person
Responsible
Completion
Date
Item
Yes
No
Required Action
7. Can the stored chemicals be affected by UV rays or
excessive heat? UV rays might destroy labels as well as
damage the chemical
It may be necessary to protect contents
from direct sunlight
8. Has suitable bunding been provided for stored chemicals?
Containers of chemicals are placed in bunding so any leaks will
be contained. Also the complete store can have concrete floor
bunding to contain any leakage
9. Is the correct signage displayed?
 The classes of chemicals stored
 HAZCHEM signs at the entrances if the classes
and quantities of chemicals stored require that.
Refer to the Dangerous Goods / Hazardous
Substance Regulations
 Sign indicating where the PPE is located
 Sign indicating where First Aid is available
 Signage must comply with sizes and colours
Bunding can be purchased or plastic
containers not adversely affected by the
chemical can be used. Refer Australian
Standard AS 2508
Conduct an audit of chemicals stored and
used on the property to ascertain if the
amount is above the “Placarding Quantity”
listed in the Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Explain your situation to the shop that
provides safety signs and they should be able
to direct you
10. Is shelving suitable for the chemicals stored?
 Shelving should be made from material which will not
absorb chemical (wooden shelving is unacceptable)
 Shelving must be strong enough to sustain the weight
of the chemicals stored
Replace any wooden shelving with metal
or other impervious material. Refer to
Australian Standards AS 2508
Person
Responsible
Completion
Date
11. Have segregation rules been applied?
12. Has suitable fire protection been installed?
 A fire extinguisher of the correct type should be
available
13. Have correct signs been displayed for chemicals in the
workplace?
Re-arrange the chemicals. See
Dangerous Goods regulations
Read the container labels and the
Material Safety Data Sheets to determine the
most suitable fire extinguishing agent and
locate nearby but not in the store
Refer to the Dangerous Goods
Regulations. If the chemicals stored and
handled in the workplace exceed the
“placarding quantity” then a HAZCHEM sign
will be required at the entrance to the property