What is COSHH?

COSHH: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The COSHH Regulations 2002 are UK law, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), that require employers to assess and control the risks from hazardous substances used in the workplace.

Hazardous substances include chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, nanotechnology, gases, biological agents, and any substance that could cause harm to health through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or injection.

The Real Cost of Ignoring COSHH

Non-compliance with COSHH isn't just a regulatory concern — it has real human and financial consequences. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) actively investigates and prosecutes businesses that fail to protect workers from hazardous substances.

Real UK Prosecution Examples

• £3.8 million fine — A chemical company was prosecuted after two employees suffered serious chemical burns from caustic soda due to inadequate controls
• £340,000 fine — A manufacturing company fined after a worker was seriously injured while cleaning machinery without adequate protective measures
• £100,000 fine — A Bristol company fined for failing to identify, prevent, and control hazardous chemical exposure that caused workers to develop allergic contact dermatitis

These aren't one-off cases. The HSE publishes prosecution outcomes regularly, and directors and managers can face personal imprisonment for serious breaches where they consented to or were complicit in the offence.

The Business Case for COSHH Compliance

Beyond avoiding fines, proper COSHH compliance delivers tangible business benefits:

• Reduced sick days — workers exposed to controlled substances with proper protections take fewer days off
• Improved staff morale — employees who see their employer takes safety seriously are more engaged and loyal
• Lower insurance premiums — a strong compliance record can reduce employer liability insurance costs
• Client confidence — many supply chains now require evidence of COSHH compliance as a condition of contract
• Legal protection — documented COSHH assessments provide evidence of due diligence if an incident occurs

Industries Most at Risk

While all industries using hazardous substances must comply, the HSE's strategic priorities for 2025-2026 focus enforcement on:

• Construction — silica dust from cutting, grinding, and drilling kills over 500 workers per year
• Healthcare — biological agents, cytotoxic drugs, anaesthetic gases, and cleaning chemicals
• Manufacturing — welding fumes, solvents, cutting fluids, and chemical process safety
• Small businesses — the HSE has a specific focus on helping SMEs understand and comply with their COSHH duties

Who Needs a COSHH Assessment?

Under UK law, every employer who uses, produces, or stores hazardous substances must carry out a suitable and sufficient COSHH assessment. This applies across all industries including:

• Construction — cement dust, solvents, adhesives, paints
• Healthcare & Dentistry — cleaning chemicals, anaesthetic gases, cytotoxic drugs
• Manufacturing — welding fumes, cutting fluids, solvents
• Cleaning & Facilities — bleach, detergents, disinfectants
• Beauty & Hairdressing — hair dye, nail products, peroxide
• Education — laboratory chemicals, cleaning products
• Motor Vehicle — brake fluid, engine oil, paint thinners
• Agriculture — pesticides, fertilisers, veterinary medicines
• Food & Hospitality — cleaning agents, pest control chemicals

What Must a COSHH Assessment Include?

A compliant COSHH risk assessment should cover the following 8 steps as recommended by the HSE:

1. Identify the hazardous substances — including names, CAS numbers, and GHS classification
2. Identify who might be harmed — employees, contractors, visitors, vulnerable groups
3. Evaluate the risks — consider the route of exposure (inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion) and the severity
4. Record the control measures — elimination, substitution, engineering controls, PPE
5. Plan for emergencies — spills, first aid, fire
6. Implement health surveillance — where required by the substance
7. Train your staff — ensure workers understand the risks and controls
8. Review regularly — at least annually or when processes change

GHS Hazard Symbols Explained

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) uses 9 standard hazard pictograms on chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets. These red diamond-shaped symbols quickly communicate the type of danger:

• GHS01 — Explosive
• GHS02 — Flammable
• GHS03 — Oxidiser
• GHS04 — Compressed Gas
• GHS05 — Corrosive
• GHS06 — Toxic (Skull and Crossbones)
• GHS07 — Harmful / Irritant (Exclamation Mark)
• GHS08 — Serious Health Hazard
• GHS09 — Environmental Hazard

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS), also known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a detailed document provided by the chemical manufacturer or supplier. It contains 16 sections covering hazard identification, composition, first-aid measures, handling and storage, exposure controls, and disposal considerations.

SDS documents are essential for completing COSHH assessments because they contain the specific hazard information, Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), and recommended control measures for each substance.

COSHH Training Requirements

The COSHH regulations require employers to provide adequate information, instruction, and training to employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances. Training should cover:

• The nature of the substances and their risks
• How to use control measures and PPE correctly
• Emergency procedures for spills and exposure
• Results of any workplace exposure monitoring
• Health surveillance procedures