COSHH Awareness

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 

COSHH is a set of regulations that help protect the employees’ health when working with substances and materials that may pose a risk to their health, the health of others or to the environment.  The term COSHH stands for 'Control of Substances Hazardous to Health'.  

Under the COSHH regulations 2002, employers are required to either prevent, reduce or control exposure to hazardous substances in order to prevent harm. If this is breached by either an employer or employee, you can be punishable by an unlimited fine.  

The ‘substances’ part of COSHH includes any form of hazardous material, including liquids, solids, fumes, dust, vapours and gases. The ‘hazardous’ part includes damage to lungs, skin, nose, mouth, genes, internal organs, eyes or central nervous system as well as the risk of injury due to combustion or explosion. It's best to carry out a COSHH assessment if you have hazardous substances in your workplace to help identify them. 

The 10 golden rules of COSHH are: 

1. Read the labels carefully and follow the instructions.
2. Wear the appropriate protective clothing (PPE).
3. Don't mix chemicals - mixing chemicals can kill.
4. Never put chemicals into unmarked containers.
5. Never put chemicals into bottles/containers that have other uses e.g.eating or drinking. 
6. Know what first aid treatment is required if you spill chemicals on yourself or others.
7. Store all chemicals safely.
8. Report any damaged or faulty containers and spills.
9. Follow the safety rules and develop safe working practices in the workplace.
10. Report anything wrong to your supervisor.

It's important employers and employees follow these to ensure everyone's safety and health in the workplace.

The HSE state that employers must provide training, information and instruction for any employees who work with substances hazardous to health. This is the final step in the eight basic measures that should be taken to comply with COSHH regulations. If employees don't know what substances are hazardous, or how to use them, then control measures put in place won't be effective.  

Our COSHH training course ensures your employees are properly informed and trained in COSHH, including why it's important, COSHH assessments, COSHH legislation and the types of hazardous substances. 

1. COSHH Risk Assessment - identify the hazardous substances present in your workplace and consider the risks to people's health.
2. Decide what the precautions are and how to prevent harm to health.
3. Prevention or adequately controlling exposure.
4. Ensuring the control measures are used and maintained properly.
5. Monitoring the exposure of employees to hazardous substances.
6. Carrying out appropriate health surveillance where your COSHH assessment has shown this is necessary.
7. Preparing plans and procedures for emergencies.
8. Last but not least, ensuring all employees are properly informed, trained and supervised.

1. Explosives
2. Flammable
3. Oxidising
4. Gas under pressure
5. Corrosive
6. Toxic
7. Health hazards
8. Serious health hazards
9. Dangerous for the environment

How often you need COSHH training varies from one business to another, there is no legal time limit on COSHH certificates. 

However, based on industry guidelines, it's best to refresh your knowledge yearly.