What Is COSHH? Everything You Need To Know

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a UK legislative framework introduced to reduce the risks associated with harmful substances in workplaces. Its objective is to prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances to protect workers’ health. Administered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), COSHH emphasizes risk identification, assessment, and management across various industries—from construction and healthcare to salons and labs.

According to the HSE, exposure to hazardous substances is responsible for thousands of cases of occupational illness each year in the UK, including 12,000 deaths annually due to occupational respiratory diseases (HSE, 2023). COSHH regulations are thus a proactive response to these statistics, enforcing legal accountability for employers and awareness among employees.

Employers are expected to conduct thorough assessments, implement control measures, and train staff. Employees must follow established procedures and wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). COSHH’s scope and implications affect every part of health and safety in the UK workplace, making it a non-negotiable standard for responsible employment.

What Is COSHH?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, as amended, are a cornerstone of UK occupational safety legislation. COSHH requires employers to control exposure to substances that can cause health harm. It extends beyond just chemicals to include fumes, dusts, vapors, mists, gases, and even biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. COSHH applies to a wide range of working environments—factories, hospitals, agricultural fields, schools, and beauty salons.

A 2020 report by the British Safety Council emphasized that over 600,000 UK workers are exposed to hazardous substances annually, highlighting the far-reaching scope of COSHH. The law is particularly concerned with long-term exposure and chronic effects that might not be immediately visible but can significantly impact health and productivity.

The regulations require a comprehensive understanding of substances used in a workplace and their potential effects. It mandates risk assessments and proper labeling under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Importantly, COSHH does not apply to some substances covered by other regulations, such as asbestos (covered under CAR 2012) and lead (under CLAW Regulations).

As such, COSHH serves as a proactive measure in minimizing occupational health risks. Employers who comply enjoy reduced employee absenteeism, fewer medical claims, and better overall workplace morale.

Legal Framework and Regulatory Basis of COSHH

COSHH derives its authority from several foundational UK laws and regulations. Understanding its legal context helps businesses stay compliant and avoid legal repercussions. These laws include:

1. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work etc. 1974 Act (HSWA) is the principal piece of UK health and safety legislation. It places a duty on all employers to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of employees. COSHH regulations fall under this Act, giving them the force of law.

HSWA has been instrumental in shaping modern occupational safety. According to HSE, the rate of fatal workplace injuries has dropped by over 80% since the 1970s, in part due to laws like HSWA and COSHH.

2. REACH Regulation

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU regulation now incorporated into UK law post-Brexit. It requires companies to gather information on the properties of their chemical substances and manage their risks. COSHH aligns with REACH by using similar safety data and ensuring workers are not exposed beyond safe limits.

3. CLP Regulation

The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation ensures that chemicals are appropriately labeled with hazard symbols and risk phrases. This labeling system underpins COSHH assessments, ensuring that all hazardous substances carry standardized warnings.

4. PPE Regulations

PPE is a final line of defense under COSHH, and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 support its effective deployment. These regulations require employers to provide, train, and maintain the appropriate protective gear for employees.

Together, these legal structures form a robust foundation ensuring that COSHH not only protects but also empowers workplaces.

Why COSHH Matters in the Workplace

COSHH is not merely a compliance issue; it’s a matter of protecting human health and business sustainability. Exposure to hazardous substances can result in:

1. Skin Irritation or Dermatitis

Prolonged or frequent skin contact with harmful substances like detergents, solvents, or oils can lead to occupational dermatitis. According to HSE, around 7,000 new cases of work-related skin disease are reported annually in the UK, with many being preventable through proper COSHH measures.

Preventive strategies under COSHH include the use of gloves, barrier creams, and immediate washing after contact. Businesses that ignore such practices may face higher absenteeism and healthcare costs.

2. Respiratory Problems

Respiratory issues, such as occupational asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can be caused by inhaling fumes, vapors, or dust. COSHH plays a crucial role in preventing such outcomes by enforcing ventilation systems, respirators, and air quality monitoring.

For example, wood dust is a known cause of nasal cancer and is covered specifically under COSHH. According to HSE, 1 in 10 cases of occupational asthma in the UK is due to exposure in the workplace.

3. Chemical Burns

Chemical burns occur when corrosive substances like acids or alkalis come into contact with skin or eyes. COSHH requires such substances to be clearly labeled and stored safely. Emergency procedures, including eye wash stations, must be readily accessible.

Employers can prevent these injuries by implementing COSHH-compliant risk assessments and control measures.

4. Long-term Illnesses

Chronic exposure to certain substances, such as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins, can lead to cancer, liver damage, or fertility issues. For example, exposure to benzene (found in some industrial solvents) is linked to leukemia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.3 million deaths annually are attributable to workplace exposures globally. COSHH regulations are the UK’s defense against contributing to this alarming statistic.

Failure to comply with COSHH doesn’t just put workers at risk—it puts the entire business in jeopardy.

COSHH Symbols and Hazard Labels Explained

COSHH symbols and hazard labels form a critical part of chemical safety, helping workers identify the nature and severity of hazards. These symbols follow the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Each symbol indicates a specific hazard:

• Explosive: Indicates the substance can explode under certain conditions.
• Flammable: Signifies substances that can catch fire easily.
• Oxidizing: These substances can cause or intensify fire.
• Corrosive: Denotes chemicals that cause burns to skin, eyes, or materials.
• Toxic: Indicates the substance may be fatal or harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed.
• Health Hazard: Used for substances that can cause serious health effects, like cancer.
• Irritant: Signals skin or eye irritation.
• Environmental Hazard: Warns of risks to aquatic ecosystems.
• Gas Under Pressure: Refers to compressed gas that may explode if heated.

Employers must ensure that all substances in the workplace are correctly labeled, and employees should be trained to understand these symbols. The HSE and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provide guides to interpret these labels.

Improper labeling is a common COSHH breach, potentially leading to accidents or enforcement actions.

Control Measures Under COSHH

Control measures are strategies to minimize exposure to hazardous substances. COSHH promotes a hierarchy of control:

1. Elimination: Removing the hazardous substance entirely.
2. Substitution: Replacing the substance with a safer alternative.
3. Engineering Controls: Implementing ventilation systems or isolating processes.
4. Administrative Controls: Changing work practices or schedules to reduce exposure.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing gloves, masks, and other gear.

Each control measure should be supported by a risk assessment. For example, if a task generates dust, using a local exhaust ventilation system (LEV) may be more effective than PPE alone.

According to HSE (2023), workplaces with multiple control layers see a 30% reduction in incidents compared to those relying solely on PPE.

Regular review and maintenance of control measures are critical. Neglecting this step renders even the best controls ineffective.

COSHH Training and Employee Responsibilities

Employee awareness is fundamental to COSHH compliance. Training should cover:

• Hazard identification
• Understanding labels and SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
• Proper use and maintenance of PPE
• Safe handling and disposal practices
• Emergency response procedures

Employers are legally required to ensure that training is understandable, relevant, and repeated regularly. Digital learning platforms like IOSH and NEBOSH offer accredited COSHH courses.

Employees are also responsible for:

• Following instructions and training
• Wearing and maintaining PPE
• Reporting incidents or unsafe practices

A 2022 survey by the British Occupational Hygiene Society found that 46% of workers had never received formal COSHH training, increasing workplace risk. Closing this gap is essential for safe operations.

Record Keeping and Documentation in COSHH Compliance

Documentation is a legal and practical necessity under COSHH. Required records include:

• Risk assessments
• Inventory of hazardous substances
• Training logs
• Incident reports
• Exposure monitoring results

Maintaining accurate records demonstrates due diligence and helps during inspections or audits. Records should be kept for at least five years, and in some cases, up to 40 years for exposure-related data.

Failure to maintain documentation is a frequent reason for enforcement notices. Digital record-keeping tools like SafetyCulture or EcoOnline streamline compliance and ensure easy access during emergencies.

Common COSHH Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Businesses often fall short of full COSHH compliance due to:

• Incomplete risk assessments: Not identifying all hazards.
• Outdated Safety Data Sheets: Relying on old or inaccurate information.
• Over-reliance on PPE: Using PPE as the only control.
• Inadequate training: One-off sessions with no follow-up.
• Poor labeling and storage: Containers left unmarked or improperly sealed.

Avoiding these mistakes involves:

• Regular audits
• Investing in staff training
• Using digital management tools
• Assigning a COSHH coordinator or safety officer

The HSE provides detailed checklists for self-assessment, and their inspection data shows that over 60% of enforcement actions in 2022 involved record-keeping and training failures.

COSHH in Specific Industries

COSHH is crucial in various sectors, each with its risks:

• Construction: Exposure to silica dust, asbestos, and cement.
• Healthcare: Use of disinfectants, cytotoxic drugs, and pathogens.
• Agriculture: Pesticides, fertilizers, and bioaerosols.
• Beauty and Cosmetics: Hair dyes, solvents, and nail products.

Each industry must adapt COSHH regulations to its unique conditions. For instance, the NHS provides specialized COSHH protocols for handling cytotoxic drugs, while the construction sector follows detailed HSE guidance on dust control.

Tailored risk assessments and training modules improve compliance and safety in these specialized contexts.

Digital Tools and Resources for COSHH Compliance

Digitalization has simplified COSHH compliance through tools like:

• Safety Data Sheet management systems (e.g., Chemdoc, EcoOnline)
• Training platforms (e.g., iHASCO, Human Focus)
• Mobile inspection apps (e.g., iAuditor by SafetyCulture)
• Cloud-based risk assessment software

These tools offer:

• Real-time data tracking
• Automated reminders for reviews
• Easy access to up-to-date SDS
• Customizable training dashboards

According to a 2023 report by IOSH, companies using digital tools experience up to 50% improvement in COSHH compliance efficiency.

HSE also provides free templates and e-learning modules to help SMEs integrate COSHH into their safety programs effectively.