The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, also known as COSHH, guides employers on how to manage harmful substances. These regulations apply to both substances used at work (like chemicals imported from a supplier that are used for your manufacturing processes) and substances created at work (like dusts from grinding activities, gases from chemical reactions, or fumes from welding).
Keep in mind that any chemical with a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) is a harmful substance. COSHH risk assessments require health and safety professionals to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and put appropriate control measures in place in order to protect workers and maintain compliance with the law.
Many substances have the potential to be dangerous. Proper storage, labelling, handling, and disposal helps make sure these substances pose minimal risk during use. COSHH risk assessments are vital tools for safeguarding health within the workplace.
Table of contents: using a COSHH risk assessment template
Click on a specific section below to easily navigate to that area:
Step 1: Prepare for the COSHH risk assessment
Download the COSHH Risk Assessment Template from EcoOnline to get started. A COSHH risk assessment may seem like a daunting task, but this structured, easy-to-follow template is designed to guide you through each stage of the process seamlessly.
To ensure a thorough and accurate assessment, gather any additional materials you may need before beginning. These may include:
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each hazardous substance in use.
- Current process descriptions or standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), where applicable.
- Details of where and how substances are used or stored.
- Information on who may be exposed and how exposure occurs (like inhalation, skin contact, ingestion).
- Previous incident reports or near-miss records involving chemical substances.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines and usage records, if available
Some of these steps may feel repetitive or happen naturally as you work through the process. However, if you’re not already familiar with the details listed above, it’s important to gather this information in advance, which is why we’ve included it here. Being prepared will save you time and help ensure your COSHH assessment is thorough and legally compliant.
Step 2: Identify the hazardous materials
Determine which substances within your workplace are harmful. This is a straightforward but critical step and it’s where your Safety Data Sheets (SDS) will really come in handy. Note: COSHH doesn’t cover lead, asbestos, and radioactive materials.
This step focuses on the “who” and the “what” of your COSHH assessment: who might be exposed, and to what substances or processes.Use the SDS for each product to identify key hazards, including health risks, flammability, reactivity, and environmental dangers. In addition to evaluating these substances, consider the hazardous by-products generated by your workplace activities. This would include things like dust from sanding, fumes from welding, or vapours from chemical reactions. Also, assess any other ways team members might be exposed to these substances, whether through inhalation, skin contact, or accidental ingestion.
This section falls under the ‘Substance identification’ and ‘Classification’ sections of the EcoOnline COSHH Risk Assessment Template. It includes fields such as:
- Product name
- Substance ID
- Manufacturer/Supplier details
- Process location
- Quantity used per day/week/month
- List of materials
- Activity description
- Persons at risk
- Classification
- Hazard type
- Routes of exposure
- WELs
Step 3: Assess the risks
Now is the time to look at the substances in question and determine how harmful they have the potential to be, and under what conditions. This means evaluating the likelihood of exposure, routes of exposure, and the impact if someone were to come into contact with the substance.
This step coincides with the second part of the COSHH Risk Assessment Template and includes the following key fields:
- Hazard Statement: This summarises the nature of the chemical hazard and is taken directly from the product’s SDS. It helps you understand the specific risks associated with the substance.
- Control Measures: Detail the existing controls in place to reduce or eliminate exposure. Things like ventilation systems, enclosed processes, or substitution with a less hazardous material.
- First Aid Measures: Include essential first aid steps in case of exposure, as outlined in the SDS. For example, “rinse eyes with water for several minutes” or “move the person to fresh air if inhaled”.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Identify the PPE required when handling the substance. May include gloves, safety goggles, face masks, or aprons.
- Handling and Storage: Describe how the substance should be safely handled and stored. Include conditions to avoid and any specific storage instructions (like locked containers or labelled areas).
- Disposal Method: Explain how to properly dispose of the substance and any contaminated materials. This helps avoid environmental contamination and legal penalties.
- Risk Rating: Assign a risk level (like low, medium, high) based on the likelihood of exposure and the severity of potential harm. This helps prioritise actions and control measures moving forward.
By completing this section carefully, you’ll gain a clear picture of which substances pose the greatest risks and what actions need to be taken to keep your workplace safe.
Taking the next step towards a safer workplace
A COSHH risk assessment is an important tool in safety management. Completing a successful assessment will help protect employee health and ensure legal compliance. Luckily, EcoOnline has a basic template for you to use, making it simpler, faster, and more effective to identify and control workplace hazards.
