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COSHH Assessments

COSHH stands for The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. These regulations make it a legal duty for employers to identify which hazardous substances are used or generated in their workplace, and prevent them causing harm to peoples health.

COSHH regs apply to a wide range of substances, and it is likely that your business will be using something that needs an assessment.

What is a COSHH Assessment?

A COSHH assessment is a risk assessment for the use of, or production of substances which are hazardous to health. It identifies how someone might be exposed to hazardous substances, the effects exposure would have and what controls must be in place to eliminate or minimise any exposure.

When do you need a COSHH Assessment?

If you are using, mixing or producing any hazardous substance in the process of your work you will need to carry out an assessment.

A hazardous substance can be chemicals (including things like paints, printer toner, WD40), products containing chemicals (cleaning products are a typical example here), fumes, vapours, mists, gases, dusts, nanotechnology and biological agents.

Carrying out your assessments

I can help with all stages of your COSHH assessment process. I can:

  • identify what hazardous substances are involved in your activities
  • review any existing assessments and their controls
  • evaluate the risks in using or generating the substances for particular activities and processes
  • help you put in place any safe working practices and controls identified in your assessments

Want to learn more about how I can help you?