Chemical use is unavoidable in the oil and gas sector, yet many companies still overlook the importance of keeping a structured and up-to-date chemical inventory. Understanding why this tool is essential can help strengthen your HSE strategy and overall HSE management.
Building a Safer and More Transparent Workplace
Clear Insight Into Chemicals on Site
A well-managed chemical inventory acts as a central hub for all information related to chemical products used across a company. It provides visibility into:
Which chemicals are present
Where they are located
How they are stored and handled
This level of clarity helps companies remove obsolete products, reduce duplication, and eliminate unnecessary risks.
Meeting Regulatory Expectations Across Borders
Organisations working internationally must navigate a complex landscape of chemical safety laws. These may include:
A chemical inventory ensures safety data sheets (SDS) are updated, hazard classifications are accurate, and documentation is readily available for inspections or audits – key elements of strong HSE compliance.
Internal Control and Reliable Documentation
An inventory supports systematic HSE management by creating a consistent record of:
The hazards each chemical presents
The control measures implemented
The status of safety documentation
This strengthens reporting and enables the HSE manager, or other responsible, to monitor chemical risks more effectively.
Empowering Employees Through Information Access
Training and Safer Daily Practices
Employees depend on reliable information when working with chemicals. By using a centralised inventory, teams can quickly access hazard labels, exposure guidelines, protective equipment requirements, and safe handling instructions. This can improve both onboarding and routine training, reducing the likelihood of unsafe practices.
Preventing Chemical-Related Incidents
Accidents involving chemicals often result from improper storage, incompatible substances, or incomplete hazard awareness. A robust inventory helps prevent these issues by ensuring accurate information is immediately available when needed. This reduces injuries, equipment damage, and unplanned downtime, all critical factors in high-risk environments like oil and gas operations.
Enhanced Preparedness and Planning
Risk Assessments and Informed Decision-Making
A chemical inventory provides the data needed to carry out thorough risk assessments, including details on exposure hazards, and special handling requirements. This leads to more accurate evaluations and better-informed decisions when working with chemicals.
Faster Emergency Response
During an emergency – for example spills, leaks, or fires – quick access to accurate information can significantly reduce harm. A chemical inventory enables responders to instantly view emergency procedures, first-aid guidelines, and recommended containment actions, supporting faster, safer incident management.
Supporting Substitution and Sustainability
As companies strive to minimise their environmental impact, substituting hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives has become a key priority. A chemical inventory simplifies this process by helping identify substances of concern, compare alternatives, and document substitution decisions.
Driving Efficiency and Strengthening Safety Culture
Streamlined Operations Reduces Workload
A chemical inventory can reduce manual record-keeping and ensure that SDS and hazard classifications updates occur automatically. This can improve collaborations between employees and departments, ultimately saving time and lowering operational costs.
Embedding a Culture of Safety
When chemical information is transparent, accessible, and up to date, employees feel empowered to work safely and responsibly. A reliable inventory reinforces the message that safety is a shared priority and helps build a culture where proper chemical management becomes second nature.
Because hazardous chemicals are an unavoidable part of oil and gas operations, a structured chemical inventory becomes essential. It provides the control, transparency, and safety foundation needed to manage these substances responsibly. By adopting a modern, up-to-date inventory, companies can reduce risks, strengthen compliance, and create a safer, more efficient workplace – exactly what an effective HSE strategy aims to achieve.
Managing chemicals safely is a critical responsibility in any industry, but it becomes particularly demanding in complex, high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, energy, manufacturing, and large-scale industrial operations. A well-designed chemical management provides structure, reduce manual work, and strengthens HSE performance.
But with so many solutions on the market, how do you identify a system that truly meets your company’s needs?
Start with the User Experience
Before anything else, consider how easily your workforce can use the system. A chemical management tool is only effective if people rely on it during daily tasks. Modern operations require accessibility at all times, whether on site, during inspections, or at remote or offshore installations. This means the system must function across devices and in conditions with limited connectivity.
Aim for Automation That Reduces Workload
Manual follow-up of chemical data is time consuming and increases the likelihood of error. Automation plays a major role in preventing outdated information and ensuring that compliance tasks are completed on time. Look for a system that actively supports the workflow rather than simply storing information.
Evaluate How Well the System Handles Global Compliance
Companies working across borders must follow numerous regulatory frameworks, from REACH and CLP in the EU to OSHA in the US. A suitable system must adapt to local requirements while supporting an overarching corporate standard.
Ensure Data Transfer from the Existing System Is Secure and Efficient
For many companies, the challenge is not adopting a new system but ensuring that valuable historical data remains intact. Safety data sheets (SDS), risk assessments, chemical lists, and exposure information must be transferred accurately to avoid starting from zero.
Confirm That Proper Training and Support Are Available
Introducing new software requires guidance and ongoing support to ensure long-term adoption. Without this, even the best system will underperform. Make sure adequate training and support are in place.
Assess Data Protection and Security Capabilities
Chemical information can reveal sensitive details about production methods, research activities, and operational strategy. Exposure records may also qualify as health data under privacy laws, and secure data handling is therefore necessary.
Look for Strong Reporting and Documentation Tools
Audits, inspections, and internal reviews require clear and reliable reporting. A flexible reporting module helps you demonstrate compliance, monitor performance, and maintain transparency with clients, regulatory authorities, and corporate management.
Understand the Pricing Model
Prices vary widely between suppliers and are often based on users, modules, data volume, or a combination of all three. For large companies with extensive field operations, cost predictability is particularly important.
Choose a System with Scalability Opportunities
A chemical management solution should support structural changes, new business units, expansion into new regions, and increased data volumes. Flexibility is crucial for multinational organisations and companies with diverse operations.
Selecting the right chemical management system is an investment in safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. Taking the time to evaluate your needs thoroughly will help you avoid costly transitions later and ensure that the chosen solution supports your long-term strategy. A smart decision today prevents challenges tomorrow.
Download a Free Evaluation Checklist
Below is a comprehensive checklist to help you assess whether a chemical management system meets your company’s needs or not.
Managing hazardous substances safely is an essential part of responsible workplace operations. In this article, we have gathered the key points you need to know about chemical inventory – what it is, what it should contain, and how to get started.
Chemical Inventory Explained
But first, what is a chemical inventory? Hazardous chemicals are those that pose risks to health, safety, or the environment (HSE). A chemical inventory provides a clear and organised overview of all the chemical products used or stored within a company. Its purpose is to give employees quick and reliable access to the information needed for safe use, storage, and disposal of chemical products.
A chemical inventory is a crucial tool for the day-to-day operations and an essential resource in potential emergencies.
The Role of Regulations
Chemical management is not only about safety – it is also a legal requirement. Across Europe, regulations such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) require companies to maintain accurate and accessible information about all hazardous substances in use.
A proper chemical inventory helps demonstrate compliance with these laws by ensuring that every product is documented, labelled correctly, and accompanied by an up-to-date safety data sheet (SDS).
Key Components of a Chemical Inventory
A reliable chemical inventory should meet the requirements of chemical safety regulations and act as a central hub for all chemical-related documentation. It should, for example, include:
A complete list of all chemical products in the workplace, including name, hazard classification, symbols, and SDS
Information sheets for substances that are not formally classified as hazardous but still may pose a risk
Risk assessments describing how each chemical is managed and what protective measures are in place
Employers’ Responsibilities
While chemical safety is a shared responsibility, the employer has the primary obligation to establish and maintain a compliant chemical inventory. The employer should, for example:
Set up and keep the chemical inventory up to date
Ensure valid SDS are available for all listed chemical products
Verify compliance with legal requirements and internal standards
Make the inventory easily accessible, in either digital or printed form
Provide training so that employees know how to use and update it
Employees’ Responsibilities
Employees are responsible for following the company’s established procedures and safety guidelines. They should, for example:
Follow workplace procedures for safe handling of chemicals
Take part in training and understand how to access the chemical inventory
Notify supervisors if information appears incorrect, incomplete, or outdated
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
Outdated or Incomplete Information
One of the most frequent challenges is maintaining accuracy. If SDS or chemical details are not kept up to date, incorrect information can easily spread through the organisation, putting people and compliance at risk.
Difficult to Access or Navigate
Some workplaces still rely on paper binders or scattered files, which makes it harder for employees to locate the right information quickly, particularly in urgent situations. Even digital systems can become cluttered if they lack a clear structure or regular updates.
Start Building Your Chemical Inventory
You might wonder, how do you get started creating a chemical inventory? Establishing an efficient inventory requires clear routines, defined roles, and a structured approach. Begin with the following steps:
Identify and record all chemicals currently in use or storage
Organise the information by storage location, usage area, or department
Add SDS and confirm that each one is valid and approved
Provide easy access for all staff who handle chemicals
Review and update regularly, adding new materials and archiving discontinued ones
Keeping your chemical inventory accurate and current not only fulfils legal obligations but also safeguards people, prevents environmental harm, and strengthens organisational control. Modern digital tools can simplify the process, ensuring that essential information is always available, correct, and ready for use.
