If you work with cleaning products, chemicals, dust, fumes or other potentially harmful materials, understanding what is COSHH is essential for workplace safety. COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It refers to UK regulations designed to protect workers from ill health caused by exposure to hazardous substances during work activities.
COSHH is relevant across many industries, including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, cleaning, catering, hairdressing and maintenance. Even everyday tasks, such as using cleaning chemicals or handling flour, can create health risks if appropriate precautions are not taken.
In this guide, you will learn what COSHH means, which substances it covers, what a COSHH assessment involves and how employers and employees can help prevent exposure to harmful substances.
What Is COSHH in Health and Safety?
COSHH is short for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, as amended. These regulations establish requirements for controlling exposure to substances that can cause ill health in the workplace.
The main purpose of COSHH is to prevent exposure to hazardous substances where reasonably practicable or ensure that exposure is adequately controlled.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), hazardous substances can be found in products used at work or created during workplace processes. They may affect workers through inhalation, skin contact, eye contact or accidental ingestion.
For example, a cleaner who regularly uses a strong chemical without suitable precautions could develop skin irritation or breathing problems. A construction worker exposed to respirable silica dust may face serious long-term health risks.
COSHH helps employers identify these dangers, assess the risks and introduce suitable control measures.
It is important to understand that COSHH is not simply about storing chemicals safely. It also covers harmful dusts, fumes, gases, vapours, mists and biological agents that may arise from workplace activities.
What Does COSHH Stand For?
COSHH stands for:
The full name is Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
The word control is particularly important. Identifying a hazardous substance is only the beginning. Employers must also decide how exposure will be prevented or reduced, ensure that precautions are used correctly and check that they remain effective.
For example, if a workplace activity produces harmful dust, possible controls might include changing the process, enclosing the activity, using suitable extraction equipment and providing appropriate protective equipment where necessary.
Which Substances Does COSHH Cover?
COSHH applies to a wide range of substances that can cause harm to health. Some are obvious hazards, while others may appear harmless during everyday use.
Common examples include:
Chemicals and Cleaning Products
Industrial cleaners, disinfectants, solvents, paints, adhesives and certain detergents can irritate or damage the skin, eyes or respiratory system. Some may cause more serious health effects depending on their properties and the level of exposure.
Dust and Particles
Dust can be generated by cutting, sanding, grinding, sweeping or handling powdered materials. Wood dust, flour dust and silica dust are examples of substances that may create health risks.
Construction and maintenance activities require particular attention when they generate fine airborne particles.
Fumes, Gases and Vapours
Welding fumes, solvent vapours and certain gases can harm workers if they are inhaled. The risk depends on the substance, the concentration, the duration of exposure and the effectiveness of workplace controls.
Biological Agents
Some bacteria, viruses, fungi and other biological agents can cause infections, allergic reactions or other health effects. These may be relevant in healthcare, laboratories, waste handling and some cleaning activities.
Substances Created by Work Processes
Not every hazardous substance arrives in a labelled container. Some are produced during work itself.
For example, sanding wood can release dust, welding can produce fumes, and cutting certain building materials can generate hazardous airborne particles.
Employers should therefore assess both the products they use and the substances their work activities create.
The HSE provides further information in its guide to COSHH basics.
What Does COSHH Not Cover?
Although COSHH covers many hazardous substances, some materials are governed by separate regulations.
These include:
Other workplace hazards may also fall under separate legal requirements. Employers should identify which rules apply to the substances and activities in their workplace rather than assuming that one COSHH assessment covers every hazard.
Why Is COSHH Important in the Workplace?
COSHH plays an important role in preventing occupational illness and helping organisations manage hazardous substances responsibly.
Preventing Work-Related Ill Health
Exposure to hazardous substances can cause immediate symptoms, such as irritation, dizziness or breathing difficulties. Other effects may develop over months or years, including occupational asthma, dermatitis and certain lung diseases.
Effective controls can reduce exposure and help prevent avoidable harm.
Protecting Employees and Other People
COSHH assessments should consider everyone who may be exposed to hazardous substances through work activities. This can include employees, contractors, maintenance workers and, where relevant, visitors or members of the public.
Supporting Legal Compliance
Employers must comply with applicable COSHH requirements when their work involves substances covered by the regulations. This includes assessing risks, implementing suitable controls and providing relevant information, instruction and training.
Improving Workplace Practices
A COSHH assessment may reveal that a product can be replaced with a safer alternative, a process can be redesigned or better ventilation is needed.
These improvements can make work safer while helping employees understand the precautions required for their tasks.
Reducing Accidents and Operational Disruption
Suitable storage arrangements, safe handling procedures and emergency plans can help prevent spills, accidental exposure and other incidents involving hazardous substances.
What Is a COSHH Assessment?
A COSHH assessment is a systematic examination of the risks to health associated with hazardous substances used or created in a workplace.
Its purpose is to identify the substances involved, understand how people could be exposed and determine the measures needed to prevent or adequately control exposure.
A suitable assessment should consider:
A COSHH assessment should be specific to the actual task and workplace. A generic template may help organise the information, but it should not replace an assessment of the real risks.
How to Carry Out a COSHH Risk Assessment
Employers can use the following steps to organise a practical COSHH assessment.
Identify Hazardous Substances
Make a list of the substances used, stored or created during workplace activities.
Check product labels and safety data sheets for information about hazards, safe handling, storage and emergency procedures. Remember to include dusts, fumes and other substances generated by work processes.
Assess Who Could Be Exposed
Identify the people who may come into contact with each substance and consider how exposure could happen.
For example, a worker may inhale airborne dust, splash a chemical into their eyes or absorb a substance through their skin. Consider the frequency and duration of exposure as well as the potential health effects.
Decide How to Prevent or Control Exposure
First, consider whether the hazardous substance or activity can be eliminated or replaced with a safer alternative.
If this is not reasonably practicable, consider other effective controls, such as enclosing a process, installing suitable extraction, changing working methods or restricting access.
Personal protective equipment may also be necessary, but it should not automatically be the first or only control measure.
Record the Findings and Actions
In Great Britain, employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings of their risk assessments. Keeping clear records is good practice for smaller employers too.
Document the hazards, people at risk, existing controls and further actions required. Assign responsibility for completing improvements and establish appropriate review arrangements.
Review the Assessment
Review the assessment regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid.
Changes to substances, equipment, processes, staffing or working conditions may introduce new risks. Accidents, near misses and concerns raised by employees can also indicate that a review is needed.
For more detailed guidance, see the HSE’s guide to carrying out a COSHH risk assessment.
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What Are COSHH Control Measures?
COSHH control measures are precautions used to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous substances.
The most suitable measures depend on the substance, the task and the workplace. Common examples include the following.
Elimination and Substitution
Where reasonably practicable, remove the hazardous substance or activity entirely. If this is not possible, consider replacing the substance with a less hazardous alternative.
For example, a business may be able to use a less hazardous cleaning product or change a process to reduce the creation of harmful dust.
Engineering Controls
Engineering controls help prevent substances from reaching workers. Examples include enclosed processes, suitable extraction systems and local exhaust ventilation.
These controls must be appropriate for the hazard and maintained so that they continue to work effectively.
Safe Working Procedures
Clear procedures can reduce exposure by explaining how substances should be handled, transferred, stored, used and disposed of.
They should also address cleaning, spillages, access restrictions and emergency arrangements where relevant.
Personal Protective Equipment
Depending on the risk, workers may need suitable gloves, eye protection, protective clothing or respiratory protective equipment.
The equipment must be appropriate for the substance and task. Employees should understand how to use, maintain and store it correctly.
Training and Supervision
Employees need information about the hazards they may encounter, the control measures they must follow and the action to take if something goes wrong.
Supervisors should check that procedures are followed and that equipment is used correctly.
The HSE explains these principles in its guidance on controlling exposure to hazardous substances.
COSHH Responsibilities: Employers and Employees
COSHH responsibilities are shared, although employers have the primary duty to ensure that exposure is adequately controlled.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers should:
Employers should also ensure that workers understand the precautions relevant to their jobs.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees should:
Workers should never ignore a suspected exposure incident or continue using equipment that appears unsafe. They should follow the workplace’s reporting and emergency procedures.
COSHH Examples Across Different Industries
COSHH is relevant to many types of work. The following examples show how hazardous substances may be managed in practice.
|
Industry |
Potential hazard |
Possible control measures |
|
Cleaning |
Concentrated cleaning chemicals |
Follow product instructions, use suitable protective equipment and ensure appropriate ventilation. |
|
Construction |
Silica dust from cutting materials |
Use suitable dust suppression or extraction and follow task-specific safety procedures. |
|
Healthcare |
Exposure to potentially infectious biological agents |
Apply appropriate infection prevention procedures, hygiene measures and protective equipment. |
|
Manufacturing |
Welding fumes or industrial chemicals |
Assess exposure, use suitable extraction and follow safe operating procedures. |
|
Catering |
Flour dust during food preparation |
Reduce dust generation, use suitable cleaning methods and improve work practices where necessary. |
|
Hairdressing |
Chemical products and repeated wet work |
Assess product and skin exposure risks, use suitable controls and follow good hand-care practices. |
These are general examples rather than complete COSHH assessments. The correct controls depend on the specific substance, work activity and exposure risks.
Common COSHH Mistakes to Avoid
Even when a workplace has written procedures, mistakes can undermine the effectiveness of COSHH arrangements.
Common problems include:
Avoiding these mistakes helps ensure that COSHH arrangements remain practical, relevant and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does COSHH stand for in health and safety?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It refers to UK regulations designed to protect workers from ill health caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work. Employers must assess relevant risks and implement suitable measures to prevent or adequately control exposure.
What substances are covered by COSHH?
COSHH can cover hazardous chemicals, cleaning products, dusts, fumes, gases, vapours, mists and biological agents. Some harmful substances are created during work processes, such as dust from cutting materials or fumes from welding. Asbestos, lead and radioactive substances are covered by separate regulations.
Is COSHH training a legal requirement?
Employers must provide appropriate information, instruction and training to workers who may be exposed to hazardous substances, as required by the circumstances and relevant legal duties. The training should explain the risks and the control measures workers need to follow. The precise training required depends on the work activities and the substances involved.
Who is responsible for COSHH in the workplace?
Employers have the primary responsibility for assessing risks and ensuring that exposure to hazardous substances is prevented or adequately controlled. Employees must follow safety procedures, use control measures correctly and report problems. Supervisors may help implement procedures and check that workplace precautions remain effective.
What is the purpose of a COSHH assessment?
A COSHH assessment identifies hazardous substances, considers how people could be exposed and determines the precautions needed to protect their health. It should cover the actual substances, activities, people at risk and workplace conditions. The assessment should be reviewed when necessary to ensure that the control measures remain suitable.
Learn More About Workplace Health and Safety
Build your understanding of workplace hazards, risk assessments and safety responsibilities with Virtual Skills Academy’s Health and Safety Level 3 course. Develop practical knowledge to help you recognise risks and contribute to safer working practices.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what COSHH means is an important step towards preventing work-related illness and protecting people who may be exposed to hazardous substances. Effective COSHH management involves identifying harmful substances, assessing exposure risks, introducing appropriate controls and ensuring that workers understand the procedures they must follow. Employers should review assessments and maintain control measures so that workplace protections remain effective. Whether you work in cleaning, construction, healthcare, manufacturing or another industry, developing your health and safety knowledge can help you recognise hazards and support a safer working environment.
