COSHH Basics: A Practical Guide to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Last updated: 8 October 2025
Author: Jade Anderson, Senior Reporter — UK-Safety.News
What Is COSHH?
COSHH requires employers to control substances hazardous to health—chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases, nanomaterials, and biological agents—through assessment, prevention, and monitoring.
The 6 COSHH Steps
1) Identify substances & hazards
Create an inventory; pull SDS; note WELs and exposure routes.
2) Assess exposure
Who’s exposed, for how long, how often, and by which route (inhalation, skin, ingestion)?
3) Control the risk
Eliminate/substitute → engineering (LEV) → admin → PPE as last resort.
4) Ensure controls work
LEV testing, inspections, maintenance schedules, supervision.
5) Monitor health (where required)
Health surveillance for specific substances or processes.
6) Inform, train, and review
Toolbox talks, signage, refresher training; review after change or incident.
COSHH Essentials on Site
Label decanted containers, keep SDS accessible, store incompatibles separately, and plan for spills and emergency response.
Quick Checks
✅ SDS present and current
✅ LEV inspected and tested
✅ PPE specified and available
✅ Spill kits & eyewash stations ready
✅ Waste disposal compliant