How do I create a COSHH assessment for community & public services?

With COSHH.app, you can scan chemical labels using AI, automatically retrieve Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and generate inspection-ready COSHH reports aligned with HSE guidance in minutes — pre-configured for community & public services hazards and requirements.

COSHH Assessment for Community & Public Services — UK Industry Guide

Industries in Community & Public Services

⛪

Churches & Places of Worship

Cleaning products Candle chemicals

🏛️

Community Centres & Village Halls

Cleaning products Paint

📖

Libraries & Museums

Conservation chemicals Cleaning products

🏛️

Local Councils & Parish Councils

Cleaning chemicals Road treatment

🚒

Fire & Rescue Services

AFFF foam Cleaning products Decontamination agents

🕊️

Funeral Directors & Crematoria

Embalming fluid Disinfectant Cleaning chemicals

Common Hazardous Substances

These are the most commonly encountered hazardous substances across community & public services workplaces. Each substance requires a specific COSHH assessment covering exposure routes, control measures, and PPE.

AFFF foamCandle chemicalsCleaning chemicalsCleaning productsConservation chemicalsDecontamination agentsDisinfectantEmbalming fluidPaintRoad treatment

COSHH Requirements for Community & Public Services

Risk Assessment

Identify all hazardous substances used in your community & public services workplace and assess the risk of exposure to employees, contractors, and visitors.

Control Measures

Implement appropriate controls following the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE as a last resort.

Health Surveillance

Where substances may cause occupational diseases (e.g. dermatitis, asthma), health surveillance programmes must be in place.

Training & Records

All staff must be trained on the hazards they face, how to use controls properly, and what to do in an emergency. Keep records of all training.

How COSHH.app Helps Community & Public Services Businesses

Creating COSHH assessments manually is time-consuming and error-prone. COSHH.app streamlines the entire process for community & public services businesses:

Scan chemical labels — Use your phone camera to scan any chemical label. Our AI extracts the product name, GHS symbols, hazard statements, and precautionary statements automatically.
Automatic SDS retrieval — We cross-reference the identified chemical against Safety Data Sheet databases to pull in detailed safety information including Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs).
Generate compliant reports — Our AI generates a comprehensive COSHH report covering all 15 sections recommended by the HSE, tailored to your specific workplace and industry.
Train your staff — Assign training modules to team members and track completion with digital sign-off records.

Whether you're a sole trader or a large organisation, COSHH.app makes chemical safety compliance straightforward and affordable. Learn more about COSHH requirements or get started free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a COSHH assessment for community & public services?

Yes. Under the COSHH Regulations 2002, any UK business in community & public services that uses, stores, or produces hazardous substances must carry out a suitable and sufficient COSHH risk assessment.

What are the most common chemical hazards in community & public services?

The most common hazardous substances include AFFF foam, Candle chemicals, Cleaning chemicals, Cleaning products, Conservation chemicals, Decontamination agents. Each requires specific control measures documented in a COSHH assessment.

How often should I review my COSHH assessments?

At least annually, or when there is a change in work processes, new substances are introduced, or following an incident.

COSHH Assessment for Community & Public Services