COSHH: If It Can Harm, You’ve Got to Arm (Your Team)

Why COSHH Matters

Because invisible dangers are still dangerous.

You can’t always see or smell harmful substances. But they can:

- Trigger asthma

- Cause skin rashes

- Damage lungs

- Poison organs

- Lead to long-term illness

And if you haven’t done a proper COSHH assessment? You could be breaking the law — and risking lives.

What Counts as a Hazardous Substance?

You’d be surprised. It’s not just barrels marked “TOXIC.”

COSHH applies to:

- Cleaning products – bleach, oven cleaner, disinfectants

- Dusts – wood, flour, concrete, grain

- Fumes & vapours – paint, petrol, adhesives

- Biological agents – blood, bacteria, mould

- Gases – chlorine, ammonia, carbon monoxide

- Mists & sprays – hair dye, pesticides, sanitisers

What Does the Law Say?

Under COSHH regulations (based on the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974), UK employers must:

1. Identify substances hazardous to health.

2. Assess the risks.

3. Control exposure (ventilation, PPE, substitution, etc.).

4. Train staff on safe use.

5. Monitor effectiveness and health, where necessary.

6. Plan for accidents – spills, splashes, exposure.

COSHH in Real Life: What You Should Be Doing

Here’s how to stay safe and legal:

✅ List all hazardous substances

✅ Read the safety data sheets (SDS)

✅ Do a simple risk assessment

✅ Use safer alternatives if you can

✅ Provide gloves, goggles, or ventilation if needed

✅ Make sure everyone knows the risks and controls

✅ Review regularly (especially when you change products or processes)

Final Word: Don’t Guess – Assess

If you think COSHH doesn’t apply to you… you might already be doing it wrong.

It’s not about red tape — it’s about protecting people.

Because the scariest substances aren’t the ones with skull-and-crossbones labels.

They’re the everyday things that sneak under the radar — until it’s too late.

💡 Want a COSHH assessment template or a quick-start guide? Give us a shout — we’re here to help you stay compliant and stay safe. trevor@cambridgesafetysolutions.com