Carrying out a COSHH risk assessment correctly equips you with the knowledge and understanding to help protect your employees. It’s a crucial tool in your arsenal to identify, manage and mitigate risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace.

Knowing how to carry one out and what to include makes the process a whole lot easier, so check out our blog below and discover what you should include in your COSHH risk assessment.

Why is COSHH so important?

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations aren’t just a legal requirement; they’re essential for protecting your workers.  A COSHH risk assessment helps you identify potential health risks that could otherwise remain hidden. By proactively assessing and controlling hazardous substances, you’ll fulfil your legal duty and demonstrate your commitment to employee wellbeing.

No matter the sector or industry of your business, knowing how to write a COSHH assessment is a pivotal part of your safeguarding responsibilities.

Industries Where COSHH is Crucial

COSHH assessments are vital across a wide range of industries. Here are just a few examples:

  • Construction: Exposure to dusts like silica, asbestos, and wood dust, as well as solvents, paints, and adhesives.
  • Automobile: Contact with fuels, oils, lubricants, paints, and cleaning agents.
  • Flooring: Working with adhesives, resins, solvents, and cleaning products.
  • Engineering: Handling metals, welding fumes, cutting fluids, and various chemicals.
  • Plumbing: Using solvents, adhesives, cleaning agents, and potentially hazardous materials like lead.

Whether you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, fumes, or other hazardous substances, writing your COSHH risk assessment properly helps you take all the proper steps to protect your employees’ health.

Need more specific guidance? Check out our handy resources for building and construction, engineering, and electrical industries.

How many steps are there to COSHH compliance?

There are five key steps to consider when carrying out COSHH risk assessments. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Gather information

Start by collecting detailed information about all the substances used in your workplace and your work practices. This includes:

  • Identifying and classifying hazardous substances: This can range from chemicals and solvents to biological agents and vapours, mists, and fumes produced by work activities. Look for hazard symbols on product labels.
  • Identifying who is at risk: Determine which employees might be exposed to these substances and how (e.g., inhalation, skin contact, ingestion). Consider different job roles, tasks, and work areas.
  • Gathering safety data sheets (SDSs): Obtain SDSs for each hazardous substance. These sheets provide crucial information about the substance’s properties, hazards, and safety precautions.

2. Evaluate the risks

Once you have a comprehensive list of hazardous substances, evaluate the specific health risks associated with each one. Consider the potential effects of exposure, including:

  • Acute effects: Immediate health issues like skin irritation, eye damage, or breathing difficulties.
  • Chronic effects: Long-term health problems like cancer, respiratory diseases, or reproductive issues.
  • Routes of exposure: How the substance can enter the body (e.g., inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion).
  • Concentration and duration of exposure: The level of exposure and how long workers are exposed.

3.  Implement control measures

Now that you understand the risks, it’s time to determine how to control them. Follow the hierarchy of control to prioritise the most effective measures:

  • Elimination: Remove the hazardous substance entirely. This is the most effective control measure.
  • Substitution: Replace the hazardous substance with a less hazardous alternative.
  • Engineering controls: Use equipment and systems to isolate workers from the hazard, such as ventilation systems, enclosed processes, or robotic handling.
  • Administrative controls: Change work practices to reduce exposure, such as implementing safe work procedures, rotating tasks, or limiting exposure times.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide workers with appropriate PPE, such as gloves, respirators, eye protection, and protective clothing, as a last resort.

4. Record your findings

Document your risk assessment thoroughly. This is a legal requirement if you have five or more employees, but it’s best practice for all businesses. Consider including the following:

  • The hazards identified: A list of all hazardous substances and their associated risks.
  • The control measures implemented: Details of the measures you have put in place to control the risks.
  • Who is responsible: Names of individuals responsible for implementing and monitoring control measures.
  • Review dates: Set a date for reviewing the assessment to ensure it remains up-to-date.

5. Monitor, review, and update

COSHH risk assessments aren’t static documents. They need to be regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure their effectiveness. You can update them to account for changes in substances, practices or regulations.

Streamline Your COSHH Assessments with Our Resources

Need help getting started or want to make the process more efficient? Take advantage of our range of COSHH resources!

Streamline your COSHH assessments with our helpful resources! Our COSHH assessment templates provide a structured framework to guide you through the process, ensuring you cover all necessary aspects.  Access our library of over 80 pre-made assessments for a wide range of common hazardous substances, or customise our blank COSHH assessment template to fit your unique business needs. 

Try our free COSHH template! Get a full walkthrough of the assessment process and create a safer, healthier workplace.Have more questions?  Contact us, and our friendly experts will be happy to assist you.