What Is COSHH?
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. It's the law that requires employers and self-employed workers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
If you use, create or encounter materials that could harm health, you have legal duties under COSHH.
What Counts as a Hazardous Substance?
You might be surprised how many everyday trade materials fall under COSHH:
- Cement and concrete: causes dermatitis and potentially serious lung disease
- Silica dust: produced when cutting stone, brick or concrete; causes silicosis
- Wood dust: hardwood dust is classified as a known carcinogen
- Solvents and adhesives: paint thinners, contact adhesives, cleaning agents
- Welding fumes: classified as a Group 1 carcinogen since 2019
- Isocyanates: found in spray paints and foam insulation; a leading cause of occupational asthma
- Asbestos: still present in millions of pre-2000 buildings
The Eight Steps of a COSHH Assessment
- Identify the hazardous substances used or produced
- Decide who might be harmed and how
- Evaluate the risks and existing controls
- Decide on additional control measures
- Implement controls (substitution, ventilation, RPE)
- Ensure controls are used and maintained
- Monitor exposure where necessary
- Carry out health surveillance if required
Substitution: Always Consider It First
Before reaching for a dust mask, ask: can I use a less hazardous product? For example:
- Water-based paint instead of solvent-based
- Pre-mixed mortar instead of dry-bagging on site
- Low-silica alternatives for blasting media
What Records Do You Need?
- A written COSHH assessment for each substance (if you employ anyone)
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals on site (suppliers must provide these)
- Records of health surveillance if required (e.g. for isocyanate workers)
Common Enforcement Failures
HSE inspectors frequently find:
- No COSHH assessment for obvious substances (cement, wood dust)
- RPE provided but not face-fit tested
- LEV (Local Exhaust Ventilation) equipment not maintained or tested annually
- Workers not trained on the risks of substances they use daily
Include COSHH assessments in your RAMS automatically with Site Safety UK.
