Safe storage of herbicides and pesticides: Is your business prepared for an HSE inspection?

Introduction 

We are increasingly hearing from clients about recent HSE inspections relating to the use of herbicides and pesticides. These visits highlight the importance of having robust controls in place to manage potentially hazardous substances and demonstrate compliance. If your business stores, handles or applies herbicides or pesticides, it’s worth taking the opportunity to review your arrangements and ensure you’re meeting your legal obligations while protecting employees, contractors and the wider environment. 

Pesticides, also known as plant protection products (PPPs), are used to control pests, weeds and diseases. They include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, molluscicides and plant growth regulators. Products may be supplied as granules, powders, liquids or other formulations and usually contain one or more active substances, together with other ingredients. The active substance is the component that controls the target pest, weed or disease. 

The Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 set out requirements for the sale, supply, use, handling and storage of plant protection products (PPPs), including aerial spraying and the inspection of PPP application equipment. They also set out enforcement powers for the relevant authorities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK regulator for pesticides and may carry out inspections, supported by Pesticide Enforcement Officers, to check compliance with PPP requirements and other relevant legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). 

The legislation can apply to anyone who advertises, sells, supplies, stores or uses pesticides, including both professional and domestic users. In a workplace setting, the requirements are particularly relevant to organisations involved in grounds maintenance, agriculture, landscaping, facilities management, pest control and environmental services. This includes businesses maintaining parks, sports grounds, highways, farms, industrial sites and commercial landscapes. With increased regulatory inspections being undertaken, businesses that use or store herbicides, pesticides, biocides or other hazardous substances should ensure their storage, handling and record-keeping arrangements are suitable, well-managed and inspection-ready. 

For many organisations, the challenge is not simply having chemicals on site, but being able to demonstrate that they are controlled, recorded and managed consistently.  

What inspectors may look for 

The aim of the regulator is to ensure that pesticides do not harm human health or have unacceptable effects on the environment by: 

• enforcing the regulations 
• ensuring only authorised products can be marketed 
• ensuring products are used in a sustainable fashion 
• monitoring the impact of the chemicals 

The purpose of an inspection is to check how well the business is complying with its duties under the relevant legislation. Inspectors are likely to consider whether hazardous substances are stored securely, managed safely and supported by suitable records. The checklist below brings together the key controls and common failure points that businesses should review before an inspection. 

Common reasons businesses receive enforcement action 

During inspections, regulators are often looking for evidence that hazardous substances are being stored, managed and used safely. Common issues that can lead to enforcement action include: 

• Outdated, incomplete or missing COSHH assessments. 
• Poorly maintained chemical inventories that do not accurately reflect substances held on site. 
• Leaking, damaged or incorrectly labelled containers. 
• Inadequate segregation of incompatible substances. 
• Missing or out-of-date Safety Data Sheets. 
• Incomplete employee training records. 
• A lack of evidence that pesticide application equipment has been maintained, calibrated or inspected where required. 

Identifying and addressing these issues before an inspection can help demonstrate effective management arrangements and reduce the risk of non-compliance findings. 

What can businesses do? 

 Before an inspection takes place, businesses should review not only where chemicals are stored, but also whether they can demonstrate that appropriate controls are in place. The following checklist provides a practical starting point. 

Chemical storage checklist 

• Confirm all hazardous substances are identified and recorded in an up-to-date chemical inventory, including stock quantities, expiry dates and obsolete products requiring disposal. 
• Ensure COSHH assessments, safe working procedures and relevant control measures are documented, current and communicated to employees. 
• Check that Safety Data Sheets are current, accessible and reflect the substances currently held or used on site. 
• Verify containers are correctly labelled, securely closed, undamaged, free from leaks and kept in original packaging where possible. 
• Store hazardous substances in clearly labelled, suitable and secure COSHH cabinets or designated storage areas, with restricted access and locked storage where required. 
• Segregate incompatible substances by hazard class, including keeping oxidising agents away from flammable liquids and separating pesticides from fuels, fertilisers and food products. 
• Provide secondary containment, bunds, spill trays and spill kits where substances are stored, mixed, decanted or transported. 
• Ensure storage areas are ventilated, protected from ignition sources and kept away from drains or watercourses. Even small chemical spills can contaminate surface water, groundwater and drainage systems. Businesses should ensure procedures are in place to quickly contain and report any accidental release. 
• Store heavy containers, corrosive liquids and toxic substances on lower shelves using chemical-resistant materials. 
• Display appropriate warning signage and ensure emergency escape routes remain clear and accessible. 
• Keep fire extinguishers, first aid kits, burns kits, eyewash facilities, spill kits and emergency information accessible and suitable for the substances held. 
• Maintain inspection records and schedules for storage areas, containers, spill kits, emergency equipment and maintenance actions. 
• Keep an emergency grab pack available with chemical locations, site plans and utility isolation information. 
• Request and retain relevant risk assessments or delivery arrangements from companies delivering chemicals to the site. 
• Implement an environmental procedure for the safe disposal of waste containers, residues and waste liquids. 

Additional checklist items for pesticides and plant protection products 

Where pesticides or plant protection products are stored or used, businesses should also check that products are approved, securely stored, handled by competent people, transported safely and managed in a way that protects people, property, drains, surface water and the wider environment. 

• Confirm all pesticides and plant protection products are approved and used in accordance with the product label. 
• Review stock regularly and arrange safe disposal of obsolete, damaged, leaking or withdrawn products. 
• Keep records for purchase, storage, application, disposal, training, inspections, incidents and waste transfers. 
• Carry out mixing, filling, dilution and washdown in controlled areas that prevent contamination of drains or watercourses. 
• Transport pesticides securely and protect containers from damage, leakage and unauthorised access. 
• Ensure professional users hold appropriate certificates of competence where required. 
• Ensure pesticide application equipment is suitable, maintained, calibrated and inspected or tested, with records retained where required. 
• Provide COSHH awareness, PPE/RPE instruction, emergency briefings and pesticide-specific training on handling, transport, mixing and decanting. 

Organisations that use or store herbicides and pesticides should take a proactive approach to compliance. Regular reviews of storage arrangements, documentation, training and emergency procedures can help reduce risk and demonstrate that hazardous substances are being managed responsibly. 

How SafeWorkforce can help 

SafeWorkforce can support your organisation by reviewing current arrangements, identifying compliance gaps and prioritising practical actions before an inspection takes place. 

Our support can include chemical storage audits, COSHH reviews, employee training and compliance assessments, helping your organisation remain inspection-ready, reduce risk and maintain safe working environments. 

Contact SafeWorkforce to learn how we can support your organisation.