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COSHH Assessment for Science, Labs & Specialist

Comprehensive COSHH guidance covering 7 industry types within science, labs & specialist. Identify hazardous chemicals, understand your legal obligations, and create compliant risk assessments.

Industries in Science, Labs & Specialist

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Research Laboratories

Reagents Solvents Acids Biological agents
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Chemical Manufacturing & Supply

Raw chemicals Solvents Catalysts
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Active ingredients Solvents Excipients
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Cosmetics & Toiletries Manufacturing

Fragrances Preservatives Surfactants
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Water Treatment & Utilities

Chlorine Coagulants pH chemicals

Oil & Gas Services

Drilling fluids Corrosion inhibitors H2S
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Environmental Consultancy

Sampling reagents Testing chemicals

Common Hazardous Substances

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

AcidsActive ingredientsBiological agentsCatalystsChlorineCoagulantsCorrosion inhibitorsDrilling fluidsExcipientsFragrancesH2SPreservativesRaw chemicalsReagentsSampling reagentsSolventsSurfactantsTesting chemicalspH chemicals

COSHH Requirements for Science, Labs & Specialist

Risk Assessment

Identify all hazardous substances used in your science, labs & specialist 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 Science, Labs & Specialist Businesses

Creating COSHH assessments manually is time-consuming and error-prone. COSHH.app streamlines the entire process for science, labs & specialist businesses:

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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 science, labs & specialist?

Yes. Under the COSHH Regulations 2002, any UK business in science, labs & specialist 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 science, labs & specialist?

The most common hazardous substances include Acids, Active ingredients, Biological agents, Catalysts, Chlorine, Coagulants. 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.

Other Industry Sectors

Create Your Science, Labs & Specialist COSHH Assessment

Scan chemical labels, retrieve Safety Data Sheets, and generate COSHH reports aligned with HSE guidance — built for science, labs & specialist businesses.