- Owner
- Safety Officer
- Effective date
- September 15, 2026
- Review cycle
- Every 12 months
1.Purpose
To store laboratory chemicals so that incompatible substances are segregated, containers stay labeled and intact, and stock levels are tracked and rotated before expiration.
2.Scope
Applies to the storage of chemicals on shelves, in cabinets and in dedicated storage rooms. Spill response and disposal of unwanted chemicals are covered by separate SOPs.
Definitions
- Segregation class
- A grouping of chemicals, such as flammables, oxidizers, acids or bases, that must be stored apart from incompatible classes.
- Secondary containment
- A tray or bin placed under containers to catch leaks before they spread.
- SDS
- Safety Data Sheet describing a chemical's hazards, storage and handling requirements.
3.Responsibilities
- Lab Technician
- Puts chemicals away correctly, checks labels and containers, and reports damage or expiring stock.
- Safety Officer
- Maintains the segregation chart, inspects storage areas and approves exceptions.
- Laboratory Manager
- Approves purchases, resolves capacity issues and reviews inspection findings.
- Inventory Coordinator
- Maintains the chemical inventory list and tracks expiration dates.
RACI matrix
| Activity | Lab Technician | Safety Officer | Laboratory Manager | Inventory Coordinator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check compatibility before storing a chemical | R/A | C | - | I |
| Maintain the segregation chart | I | R/A | C | I |
| Update the chemical inventory list | C | I | - | R/A |
| Inspect storage areas periodically | C | R/A | I | C |
| Approve exception for a damaged container | R | A | I | I |
R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed
4.Materials and PPE
Materials, tools and systems
- →Chemical segregation compatibility chart
- →Flammable storage cabinet
- →Secondary containment trays and bins
- →Chemical inventory list or software
- →Safety Data Sheets, physical or electronic
- →Storage area inspection checklist
Personal protective equipment
- →Disposable nitrile gloves
- →Safety glasses
- →Closed-toe shoes
5.Procedure
- 5.1
Check compatibility before storing
Lab TechnicianBefore putting a chemical away, check its SDS and the segregation chart to identify its class, such as flammable, oxidizer, acid, base or water-reactive.
- 5.2
Verify the container label
Lab TechnicianConfirm the container has an intact label showing the chemical name, hazard information and receipt date before placing it in storage.
Warning: Never store an unlabeled or illegibly labeled container; relabel it immediately using the SDS.
- 5.3
Store by segregation class
Lab TechnicianPlace the chemical in the storage location assigned to its segregation class, keeping incompatible classes on separate shelves or in separate cabinets.
Checkpoint: No incompatible chemical classes share the same shelf or secondary containment tray.
- 5.4
Use secondary containment
Lab TechnicianPlace containers of corrosive or hazardous liquids into a secondary containment tray sized to hold the contents of the largest container if it leaks.
- 5.5
Store flammables in the rated cabinet
Lab TechnicianPlace flammable and combustible liquids in the approved flammable storage cabinet, keeping the door closed except when adding or removing containers.
- 5.6
Follow shelf placement rules
Lab TechnicianStore heavier containers on lower shelves, keep corrosives below eye level, and never store chemicals above eye level or on the top shelf without a lip.
- 5.7
Update the inventory list
Inventory CoordinatorRecord the chemical name, quantity, lot number, receipt date and storage location in the chemical inventory list or software.
- 5.8
Check expiration and shelf-life dates
Inventory CoordinatorReview the inventory list monthly for chemicals nearing their expiration or recommended shelf-life date and flag them for use or disposal.
- 5.9
Rotate stock
Lab TechnicianPlace newly received containers behind existing stock of the same chemical so older containers are used first.
- 5.10
Inspect storage areas
Safety OfficerWalk through storage areas on the scheduled frequency using the inspection checklist, checking for leaks, damaged containers, blocked exits and missing labels.
- 5.11
Respond to damaged containers
Lab TechnicianMove a damaged or leaking container to a compatible secondary container or the spill kit area, and report it for disposal or repackaging.
- 5.12
Keep SDS access current
Safety OfficerConfirm the SDS library, physical or electronic, is complete and accessible for every chemical currently in storage.
6.Quality checks
- →No incompatible chemical classes are stored together.
- →Every container in storage has a legible, intact label.
- →Flammable liquids are stored only in the rated cabinet.
- →The chemical inventory list matches a physical spot check of storage areas.
7.Records
- →Chemical inventory list
- →Storage area inspection checklist
- →Segregation compatibility chart
- →SDS library
8.KPIs
- →Percentage of storage inspections with zero findings
- →Number of expired chemicals found per inventory review
- →Number of mislabeled or unlabeled containers found
- →Time to resolve a reported storage hazard
9.Common mistakes
- →Storing acids and bases, or oxidizers and flammables, on the same shelf.
- →Leaving a flammable cabinet door propped open during a shift.
- →Storing a heavy container above eye level.
- →Letting the inventory list fall out of date with actual stock.
10.Revision history
| Revision | Date | Description | Reviewed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | September 15, 2026 | Initial release | Ilia Pirozhenko |
This is a template. Adapt it to your organization, equipment and local regulations before use.
