OHS: Chemical Safety in the Workplace: Cleaning Chemicals, Solvents, and Safe Storage

July 27, 2026•13 min read

Article #16 of #25 in the Occupational Health and Safety Series

Phase 2: Practical Health and Safety Topics

Introduction

When small business owners think about workplace chemicals, they sometimes imagine only factories, laboratories, or large industrial sites. In reality, chemical safety is relevant to a much wider range of businesses. A restaurant may use degreasers, sanitisers, dishwashing chemicals, and gas for cooking equipment. A cleaning business may handle strong detergents, disinfectants, and toilet cleaners every day. A salon may use hair chemicals, acetone, and cleaning products. A workshop may use solvents, lubricants, paint thinners, and fuel. An office may store printer chemicals, cleaning sprays, and maintenance products. Even a retail store may keep cleaning chemicals, pest control products, or flammable items in a back room.

Because many of these products are familiar and used regularly, they are often treated as harmless. That is one of the biggest chemical safety mistakes small businesses make. A product does not need to be rare, highly technical, or industrial to be dangerous. Everyday chemicals can burn skin, irritate eyes, damage the lungs, cause headaches, trigger asthma, create a fire risk, react dangerously when mixed, or make an employee ill if handled, stored, or used incorrectly. Some products are hazardous because of their fumes. Others are dangerous because they are corrosive, flammable, toxic, pressurised, or harmful to the environment.

Chemical incidents in small businesses are often preventable. A worker may mix two incompatible cleaning products and release dangerous fumes. A solvent may be stored near a heat source. A bottle may be decanted into an unlabelled container and later mistaken for something else. A cleaner may use a chemical in a poorly ventilated room without gloves or eye protection. A container may leak into a food storage area or onto a floor, creating both exposure and slip hazards. These incidents do not always happen because the business uses “extreme” chemicals. They often happen because the business uses ordinary products without enough attention to safe storage, labelling, handling, training, and emergency planning.

For South African small businesses, chemical safety is not about making every workplace look like a laboratory. It is about understanding what chemicals are present, what harm they can cause, how employees may be exposed, and what simple controls are needed to reduce risk. That may include proper storage, good ventilation, correct labelling, using personal protective equipment where needed, keeping incompatible chemicals apart, training employees on safe use, and knowing what to do in the event of a spill, splash, or accidental exposure.

In this article, we will look at the common chemical risks small businesses face, the types of harm workplace chemicals can cause, how to store and handle them more safely, and the practical steps employers can take to control chemical hazards in everyday operations.

Why Chemical Safety Matters in Small Businesses

Chemical safety matters because hazardous products can affect employees, customers, contractors, and the business itself. Chemical exposure can happen through:

breathing in fumes, vapours, mists, or dust
skin contact
splashes to the eyes
accidental swallowing
fire or explosion
contamination of food, surfaces, equipment, or stock

The effect may be immediate, such as a chemical burn, breathing difficulty, or dizziness. It may also build over time through repeated exposure, especially if workers handle chemicals every day without proper controls.

Poor chemical safety can lead to:

skin burns and irritation
eye injuries
breathing problems
headaches, nausea, or dizziness
allergic reactions or asthma triggers
poisoning
fires and explosions
damage to surfaces, stock, equipment, or food products
environmental contamination
legal and compliance problems if hazardous substances are poorly managed

Common Chemicals Found in Small Businesses

Many small businesses use more chemicals than they realise. Examples include:

Cleaning and hygiene products

bleach
disinfectants
sanitisers
toilet cleaners
drain cleaners
floor cleaners
degreasers
oven cleaners
descalers

Workshop, technical, and maintenance chemicals

solvents
paint thinners
lubricants
adhesives
sealants
fuel
aerosols
battery chemicals
rust removers

Food and hospitality chemicals

dishwashing chemicals
kitchen degreasers
sanitising chemicals
gas cylinders for cooking equipment
pest control chemicals

Salon and personal care chemicals

hair colouring products
acetone
disinfectants
chemical treatments
cleaning products for tools and surfaces

Office and retail chemicals

printer or toner-related substances
cleaning sprays
pest control products
air freshener aerosols
maintenance products

The fact that a product is sold commercially or commonly used does not automatically make it safe in every situation.

Types of Chemical Hazards Small Businesses Should Understand

Not all chemicals are dangerous in the same way. A business should understand the main type of hazard presented by each product it uses.

Corrosive chemicals

These can burn or damage skin, eyes, and some surfaces. Strong cleaners, drain products, and some industrial chemicals may fall into this category.

Irritant chemicals

These may not cause a deep burn but can still irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat.

Flammable chemicals

These can catch fire easily or give off vapours that ignite. Solvents, fuels, aerosols, and some cleaning agents may be flammable.

Toxic or harmful chemicals

These can cause illness if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.

Chemicals that release dangerous fumes

Some products give off strong vapours during use. Others become especially dangerous if mixed with the wrong product.

Pressurised products

Aerosol cans and gas cylinders carry additional risks if damaged, heated, or stored incorrectly.

A Major Risk: Mixing Incompatible Chemicals

One of the most dangerous mistakes in small businesses is mixing chemicals without understanding how they react. For example, some cleaning products can release toxic gases when mixed. Others can create heat, splashing, or violent reactions.

Common unsafe behaviours include:

mixing products to “make them stronger”
pouring different chemicals into the same bucket or spray bottle without checking compatibility
topping up one chemical container with another product
using leftover unlabelled chemicals without knowing what they are

Employees should be trained never to mix chemicals unless the product instructions clearly allow it and the business knows it is safe to do so.

Chemical Exposure Can Happen in Simple Daily Tasks

Small businesses sometimes assume exposure only happens during large spills or industrial work. In reality, exposure can happen during normal tasks such as:

spraying a cleaner in a small bathroom
decanting a solvent into a smaller container
cleaning a kitchen floor with a strong degreaser
using bleach in a poorly ventilated area
handling fuel or lubricants during maintenance
washing tools with chemicals
opening a damaged container
clearing a blocked drain with a corrosive product

This is why everyday chemical tasks deserve proper safety attention.

Safe Chemical Storage: One of the Most Important Controls

Poor storage creates many chemical safety problems. A product that is reasonably safe when used correctly can become much more dangerous if it is stored badly.

Good chemical storage should include the following:

1. Keep chemicals in their original containers where possible

Original containers usually include the product name, hazard warnings, instructions, and important safety information. Decanting into unmarked bottles creates confusion and can lead to misuse.

2. Make sure containers are clearly labelled

If a chemical must be transferred to another container for a valid work reason, that container should still be clearly labelled so employees know exactly what it contains and what precautions apply.

3. Store chemicals away from food and food-contact items

Cleaning chemicals, pest control products, and solvents should never be stored with food, ingredients, utensils, or food packaging.

4. Separate incompatible chemicals

Some chemicals should not be stored together because of the risk of reaction, contamination, or dangerous fumes if one leaks.

5. Store flammable products away from ignition sources

Flammable chemicals should be kept away from heat, sparks, flames, and other ignition sources.

6. Prevent leaks, spills, and unauthorised access

Containers should be closed properly, stored securely, and protected from damage. Storage areas should not allow products to be knocked over easily.

7. Keep storage areas ventilated where needed

Poor ventilation can allow fumes to build up, especially in small enclosed rooms.

8. Avoid excessive stockpiling

Do not keep more hazardous chemical stock than the business reasonably needs if storage controls are limited.

Safe Handling of Workplace Chemicals

Storage is only one part of chemical safety. Employees also need to handle chemicals correctly during use.

Good handling practices include:

reading the label and instructions before use
using the correct dilution or mixing instructions where applicable
never mixing chemicals unless specifically authorised and safe
avoiding splashing, careless pouring, or rough handling
keeping lids on containers when not in use
using the product only for its intended purpose
washing hands after handling chemicals where appropriate
keeping chemicals away from children, customers, or unauthorised persons
cleaning up spills promptly and safely

The Role of Ventilation

Some chemicals are mainly dangerous because of the fumes they release. Ventilation is therefore an important control. In small businesses, poor ventilation is often a hidden problem because the product may be used in:

a small bathroom
a storeroom
a kitchen corner
a workshop area with closed doors
a salon treatment room
a cleaning cupboard

Where fumes, vapours, or strong odours are present, the business should consider whether the area has enough airflow to reduce exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Chemical Safety

Some chemical tasks require personal protective equipment. The correct PPE depends on the chemical and the type of work being done. Depending on the risk, PPE may include:

chemical-resistant gloves
eye protection
aprons or protective clothing
face protection
suitable respiratory protection where required

PPE should never be treated as the only control if the real problem is poor storage, poor ventilation, bad work methods, or unnecessary exposure. However, where PPE is needed, it should be suitable for the chemical involved and employees should know how to use it correctly.

Why Labels and Safety Information Matter

Chemical labels are not just marketing stickers. They often contain important information about:

the product name
hazard warnings
safe handling instructions
storage requirements
first aid information
what to do in the event of exposure
whether the product is flammable, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous

Where possible, businesses should also keep access to the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for hazardous products. An SDS gives more detailed information about the chemical, its hazards, safe use, first aid, spill response, and storage precautions.

Spill Response and Emergency Preparedness

Small businesses should think ahead about what they would do if:

a bottle leaks
a container breaks
a chemical splashes into someone’s eye
an employee inhales strong fumes
a flammable chemical catches fire
a chemical is spilled in a food area or customer space

The exact response depends on the chemical, but basic preparation may include:

knowing where the product label or SDS is
having cleaning materials or spill equipment suitable for the product
knowing whether the area should be ventilated or isolated
making sure first aid arrangements are in place
knowing when medical attention is needed
knowing how to report and investigate the incident

Training Employees on Chemical Safety

Employees do not need a chemistry degree to work safely with chemicals, but they do need practical training on the products they use. Training should cover:

what chemicals are used in the workplace
what the main hazards are
how to read labels and instructions
what PPE is required and when
why chemicals must not be mixed without authorisation
how to store products safely
what to do in the event of a spill or splash
how to report damaged containers, leaks, or unsafe practices

Training is especially important where employees clean regularly, use strong products, work in kitchens, handle solvents, or decant chemicals into smaller containers.

Common Chemical Safety Mistakes Small Businesses Make

1. Treating familiar products as harmless

Bleach, degreasers, aerosols, and solvents may be common, but they can still be dangerous.

2. Storing chemicals in unlabelled bottles

This creates a serious risk of misuse, accidental exposure, and dangerous mixing.

3. Keeping chemicals in food or drink containers

This is especially dangerous because someone may mistake the contents for something safe.

4. Allowing employees to mix chemicals without clear guidance

This can lead to toxic fumes, splashes, or chemical reactions.

5. Storing flammable products near heat or ignition sources

This increases fire and explosion risk.

6. Ignoring ventilation during chemical use

Even a product that seems routine can create harmful fumes in a small enclosed space.

7. Failing to provide gloves or eye protection where needed

A splash injury can happen very quickly during cleaning or maintenance work.

Practical Examples from Small Business Environments

Restaurant or catering business

The business may use degreasers, sanitisers, dishwashing chemicals, and gas cylinders. Risks include chemical splashes, mixing products, storing chemicals near food, and poor ventilation in cleaning areas.

Cleaning business

Employees may handle strong disinfectants, toilet cleaners, and floor chemicals daily. Safe dilution, PPE, labelling, and transport of chemicals become especially important.

CCTV or technical services business

Technicians may use solvents, adhesives, battery-related products, aerosols, and cleaning chemicals. Safe storage in vehicles and workshops is often an important control.

Office environment

Even an office may store cleaning sprays, maintenance chemicals, printer products, and pest control substances. These still need proper labelling, storage, and safe use.

Final Thoughts

Chemical safety in a small business is not only about dangerous-looking industrial substances. It includes many of the everyday products that businesses use for cleaning, maintenance, technical work, food preparation, hygiene, and repairs. These chemicals can still burn skin, damage eyes, affect breathing, create fire risk, or cause illness if they are mixed, stored, handled, or used incorrectly. That is why small business owners should not assume that a product is safe simply because it is common.

For South African small businesses, the most effective chemical safety controls are often practical and manageable: know what chemicals are on site, keep them labelled, store them properly, separate incompatible products, keep flammables away from heat, improve ventilation where needed, provide the right protective equipment, and train employees on safe use. Businesses should also prepare for spills, splashes, and accidental exposure rather than assuming these incidents will never happen.

A well-managed chemical safety system does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be deliberate. When small businesses take chemical hazards seriously, they protect employees, reduce the risk of injuries and fires, and create a workplace that is safer, more organised, and more compliant overall.

In the next article, we will look at contractors, visitors, and customers on site, including how small businesses can manage safety responsibilities for people who are not direct employees but still enter the workplace.