Material storage

Storage areas must be designed to allow safe movement of goods, materials, and people, with a safe system of traffic management (PAVES) that includes methods and procedures for arrival, reception, unloading, loading, and movement of vehicles, ensuring segregation of people and vehicles as much as possible.

Storage must be included in the site fire risk assessment to ensure fire safety, prevention measures, and precautions are in place.

Good housekeeping practices must be maintained to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials, and waste should be stored in suitable containers until removal.

Storage should not spread onto footpaths or walkways, obstruct access routes, rest against fencing or hoardings, or interfere with emergency escape.

Storage platforms and racking must be designed to safely withstand required loading, with designs checked according to the Temporary Works policy.

Fully designed tube and fitting storage platforms over containers with material containment (e.g. brickguards), stair access and fully formed loading bays is encouraged.

Material storage directly on top of containers is not permitted due to risk of falling materials and potential roof collapse.

Container doors must be equipped with checks or stays to prevent injuries caused by doors being blown by the wind.

Storage areas at height should have robust edge protection and brickguards, with suitable staircase access for stacking or collecting materials or equipment.

Adequate lighting should be provided to ensure safe work activities. Loads must be lifted according to manufacturers' recommendations.

Palletised loads should be placed on a firm, level base, stacked stably, and typically not exceed two pallets high unless a specific risk assessment permits.

Stacks must be periodically checked for stability, with necessary corrective action taken.

Pallets should be inspected upon delivery for damage, and any damaged pallets marked, isolated, and repaired or disposed of.

Reused pallets must be suitable for the intended load and purpose and inspected each time they are used to ensure they are safe; any damaged pallets should be replaced before use.

Stacks must be periodically checked for stability, with corrective action taken as needed, and adequate clearance maintained between rows for safe stacking and withdrawal.

Board materials, such as plasterboard and plywood, should be laid flat on a suitable floor space rather than stacked against walls. If stacking against walls is unavoidable, limit unsecured plasterboard stacks to a maximum of six boards and conduct a risk assessment for heavier materials due to their weight. Where appropriate, use a purpose-designed rack for storage.

IBC water tanks must be placed on proprietary or fully designed stands. Makeshift stands, such as multiple timber pallets, are not permitted.

Containers of flammable liquids and LPG cylinders must be stored upright, secured in open compounds that are fenced, shaded, and remote from pits, drains, and low-lying areas.

Liquid fuel stores should be surrounded by a bund sufficient to contain the maximum contents of the largest drum stored plus 10%, and flammable liquids and LPG must not be stored together.

When storing flammable liquids and gases outside of these conditions, the quantity stored should be minimised and never exceed one day’s supply, with containers kept in fire-resistant storage.

The use of acetylene should be avoided whenever possible; if unavoidable, the number of cylinders should be kept to a minimum, and acetylene cylinders must be removed from the site after use.

Cylindrical objects, other than compressed gas cylinders, should be laid flat and stabilised with chocks and wedges.
Drums and containers must be clearly marked with their contents.

Vehicles, plant, machinery, and tools should be stored securely out of sight when the site is closed, with ignition keys removed and immobilisers activated when not in use.

Racking must be designed to safely withstand required loading, with bespoke designs checked according to our Temporary Works policy.

Weekly visual inspections for stability, overloading, or damage are mandatory, with corrective actions recorded in the Site Management Health, Safety, and Environment Monitoring Report.

If racking is constructed from tube and fitting, inspections must be conducted by trained and competent personnel.
Climbing on or underneath racking is prohibited; if access is required, it must be risk assessed with loads reduced or removed, and safe access considered.

Timber racks within storage containers must adhere to our Material Storage Racks design.

During adverse weather, review and secure or relocate vulnerable materials and equipment as necessary.