COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. If your workplace uses chemicals, dusts, fumes, or biological agents that could harm people, COSHH applies to you — and that covers far more workplaces than most people realise.
What Substances Does COSHH Cover?
COSHH applies to any substance that could cause harm through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or injection. Common examples include:
- Cleaning products — bleach, degreasers, oven cleaners, disinfectants
- Paints, solvents, and adhesives
- Dust — wood dust, flour dust, silica dust, cement dust
- Fumes — welding fumes, vehicle exhaust, soldering fumes
- Biological agents — bacteria, viruses, fungi (relevant to care homes, labs, farms)
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Fuel and oils
If a product has a hazard pictogram on the label (skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, flame, etc.), it is almost certainly covered by COSHH.
What Must Employers Do?
Under COSHH, employers must:
- Assess the risks from hazardous substances in the workplace
- Prevent or control exposure — by elimination, substitution, engineering controls, PPE
- Maintain control measures (ventilation, extraction, PPE)
- Monitor exposure levels where appropriate
- Provide health surveillance for employees exposed to certain substances
- Train employees on the hazards and how to protect themselves
- Plan for emergencies involving hazardous substances (spills, leaks)
Who Needs COSHH Training?
Anyone who works with or near hazardous substances should receive COSHH awareness training. This includes cleaners, kitchen staff, manufacturing workers, construction workers, laboratory staff, hairdressers, care workers, farmers, painters, and maintenance teams.
COSHH Training in Cumbria
Our health and safety courses include COSHH awareness training, available at our Penrith centre, on-site, or online. Get in touch to arrange training.