What is a COSHH assessment and when is it required?
If your organisation uses or stores substances that could harm people’s health, the law requires you to complete a COSHH assessment. This process helps you manage risk, comply with COSHH regulations, and maintain a safe working environment for everyone.
In this article, we will explain what a COSHH assessment is, when it is required, and how it works. We will also cover the key COSHH regulations, the role of COSHH symbols, and the importance of training, giving you a clear, practical guide to keeping your workplace safe and compliant.
Understanding COSHH and what it stands for
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It’s a set of UK health and safety regulations designed to protect workers from exposure to harmful substances such as cleaning products, dusts, vapours, fumes or biological agents.
Put simply, the meaning of COSHH is about identifying and controlling the risks associated with hazardous materials in your workplace. These regulations apply to almost every industry, from healthcare and manufacturing to education and facilities management.
What does a COSHH assessment involve?
A COSHH assessment is a structured review of how hazardous substances are used and controlled in your business. It helps you understand the risks and decide on appropriate precautions. Typical steps include:
– Identify substances – Listing all products, chemicals and by-products that could be hazardous
– Assess exposure risks – Considering who may be affected, how and for how long
– Control exposure – Introducing safe systems of work, PPE or ventilation
– Prepare for emergencies – Planning for leaks, spills or accidental contact
– Monitor and review – Checking that your controls remain effective and update when processes change
Completing this process keeps you compliant with COSHH legislation and helps prevent both short and long-term health issues among employees.
Common substances covered by COSHH
A wide range of materials fall under the COSHH umbrella, including anything that could be harmful if inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with the skin.
Common examples include cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, solvents, paints and adhesives, dusts, fumes and vapours, as well as biological agents such as bacteria, mould and viruses. Even substances produced during everyday processes, like welding fumes or cutting oils, are covered.
Understanding which substances are hazardous is a crucial first step in carrying out an effective COSHH assessment.
When is a COSHH assessment required?
You should complete a COSHH assessment whenever your work involves a substance that could be hazardous to health. That includes:
– Before starting new activities or using new products
– When changes are made to existing processes
– After an incident or near miss
– As part of regular annual reviews
If you’re unsure whether your business needs one, the rule of thumb is simple – if a product has a COSHH symbol on its label, it should be assessed.
COSHH assessments often go hand in hand with other workplace safety checks such as Legionella risk assessments or air hygiene monitoring, since these systems can contribute to airborne or waterborne hazards if not properly managed.
The three main COSHH regulations
Every COSHH programme is built on three essential principles:
– Assess the risks from hazardous substances
– Control exposure using practical, proportionate measures
– Monitor and review to ensure continued compliance
These core regulations guide both COSHH training and assessment best practice across all industries.
Why COSHH training matters
Completing the paperwork alone isn’t enough. Staff must understand the risks and how to work safely. Regular COSHH training ensures employees can: Identify hazardous substances, use control measures correctly, respond appropriately to incidents or exposure and report problems quickly and accurately.
Training not only supports legal compliance but also builds a culture of safety and accountability.
Conclusion
At Water & Air Management, we help businesses across the UK stay compliant with COSHH regulations through expert risk assessments, training and ongoing support. Our team delivers tailored COSHH assessments, Legionella control, water hygiene and air quality monitoring services, all aligned with current HSE guidance.
To arrange a COSHH review or discuss your compliance needs, get in contact with our team today.