0
  • No products in the basket.

Definition of COSHH: Complete Workplace Safety Guide

Not every substance in your workplace is safe. Some may look harmless, but they can slowly make people sick. That’s why the definition of COSHH matters. COSHH or “Control of Substances Hazardous to Health,” is the law that turns hidden hazards into manageable risks. For example, COSHH includes chemicals, dust, fumes, gases, germs, and even everyday cleaning liquids. If these are not controlled, they can cause asthma, skin problems, or long-term illnesses.

COSHH uses hazard symbols to show the danger of each substance. For example, a toxic symbol means the substance can make you very sick. A corrosive symbol shows it can burn or damage your skin and eyes. Paying attention to COSHH symbols helps protect staff and makes the workplace safer.

Now let’s dive in and explore how COSHH keeps workplaces safe.

What COSHH Means: Understanding the Definition of COSHH

The definition of COSHH is clear and direct. COSHH means Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a UK law. It protects workers from harmful substances at work. These substances can be chemicals, dust, fumes, gases, liquids, or germs.

So, why is this important? No one should become sick because of their job. For this reason, COSHH tells employers how to control dangerous substances before they cause harm. The focus is always on prevention.

Now, let’s look at the history. The current law started in 2002. It replaced earlier rules from 1999. Since then, the COSHH regulations have helped businesses manage health risks in a clear and practical way.

More importantly, COSHH is not just a set of rules to follow once. Instead, it works as a clear system. First, employers find out which substances are harmful. Next, they check how workers may come into contact with them. Then, they put control measures in place to reduce the risk. After that, they train staff and review safety regularly.

Finally, the law is strict. If a business ignores COSHH duties, courts can give unlimited fines. Therefore, employers must take this law seriously.

In short, COSHH helps employers protect their workers every day. It makes workplace safety a daily responsibility, not just paperwork.

Substances Covered and Not Covered by COSHH

COSHH keeps workers safe from harmful substances, but it does not cover everything. This part explains what it looks like and what is controlled by other rules.

Substances Covered

COSHH protects workers from everyday hazardous substances. These include chemicals, cleaning liquids, and solvents used in many workplaces.

It also covers dust, fumes, vapours, gases, and mists. These can enter the body through breathing or skin contact. For example, paint fumes spread in the air when decorating. Flour dust rises in bakeries, and welders breathe in solder fumes while working.

COSHH also includes biological hazards like bacteria, viruses, blood, and waste. It covers substances made during work too. Cutting stone makes silica dust. Burning fuel produces harmful gases. Very small materials, called nanomaterials, can also be dangerous if not handled carefully.

Substances Not Covered

COSHH does not cover all dangerous materials. Some are very risky and have their own strict laws. For example, lead, asbestos, and radioactive materials follow separate safety rules.

Many people do not realise that COSHH also does not cover risks that do not directly affect health. Fire hazards are covered by fire safety laws, and injuries from machines are controlled by general safety rules.

Medicines used in hospitals and food safety risks are also covered by different regulations. So, while COSHH protects the most harmful substances, other high-risk or special materials follow separate rules.

Health Hazards of Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances at work can be more dangerous than most people realise. Over time, they can generate serious health problems like asthma, skin rashes, or lung disease. In some cases, they can even lead to cancer or permanent organ damage if exposure continues.

The risks are not only long-term. Short-term effects can happen quickly. Workers may feel dizzy, get eye irritation, or suffer chemical burns. Even a short contact with these substances can cause harm if safety rules are not followed.

The numbers show how serious this is. Every year, about 1.4 million workers in the UK suffer from work-related health problems. In addition, workplaces report around 541,000 injuries each year. On top of that, roughly 7,000 new cases of skin problems happen every year.

These problems affect both workers and businesses. Illness reduces work output, increases sick leave, and can lead to fines. That is why following COSHH compliance is very important. Keeping hazardous substances in check safeguards workers and business flow.

COSHH Risk Assessment: Step-by-Step

Follow these risk assessment steps:

Step 1: Identify Hazardous Substances

Start by listing all hazardous substances at work. This includes chemicals, dust, fumes, gases, and biological hazards like bacteria or blood. Once you know what is there, you can plan how to keep it under control.

Step 2: Check How Workers Might Be Exposed

Think about how workers might come into contact with these substances. They could breathe them in, get them on their skin, or accidentally swallow them. Knowing this helps choose the right safety steps.

Step 3: Look at Tasks, Time, and Frequency

Check the jobs workers do. Think about how often and how long they do them. This shows which jobs have the highest risk and need more protection.

Step 4: Review Safety Measures

Check if current safety measures work well. Look at ventilation, safe work methods or protective equipment. Make sure these controls really reduce risks.

Step 5: Plan Monitoring and Health Checks

Decide if monitoring or health checks are needed. Some substances need air tests or medical checks to spot problems early.

Quick Safety Tips

Always keep simple and clear records of your risk assessment. Then, ask your staff to help check and review it. Also, make sure to update the assessment whenever work changes or new substances are used. By following these steps, a COSHH risk assessment does more than just fill a form. It keeps workers safe, follows the law, and makes sure the workplace stays safe every day.

Employer Responsibilities Under COSHH

Safety actions every employer should take:

  • Stop exposure fast: Make sure workers do not touch or breathe in dangerous substances so everyone stays safe.
  • Provide the right gear: Use ventilation, protective equipment and safe work methods to lower risks every day.
  • Train and inform staff: Explain hazards clearly and show workers how to stay safe. This helps prevent accidents.
  • Keep an eye on health: Carry out regular checks to spot problems early before they become serious.
  • Stay within legal limits: Follow Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) to protect staff and avoid fines.

Employee Responsibilities Under COSHH

Simple actions to stay protected at work:

  • Follow safety rules: Always follow workplace steps and COSHH regulations to avoid accidents.
  • Wear and care for PPE: Use personal protective equipment properly and keep it in good shape.
  • Report spills, accidents and risks: Tell your supervisor straight away if something is dangerous or goes wrong.
  • Attend health checks and training: Take part in medical checks and safety lessons to protect yourself and others.
  • Help your team: Support colleagues to follow safety rules and keep the workplace safe every day.

Hierarchy of Control: Effective Ways to Manage Risks

The Hierarchy of Control is a simple system to reduce risks at work. It ranks safety steps from the strongest to the weakest. This means workplaces should tackle hazards in the most effective way first. That way, workers don’t have to protect themselves on their own. Here’s how to cut risks fast:

  • Elimination: Remove the dangerous substance if you can. If it’s gone, it cannot harm anyone.
  • Engineering Controls: Use things like ventilation, fume extractors, or enclosed systems. These stop harmful substances from spreading and keep everyone safe.
  • Safe Work Methods: Change how work is done to reduce contact with hazards. Rotate staff, adjust tasks or reorganise work areas to make jobs safer.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear gloves, masks, or protective clothing. PPE is the last step when other controls cannot remove all risks.

For example, bakeries use ventilation to control flour dust, welders use fume extractors, and cleaners rely on gloves and masks. Using the right control at the right step keeps everyone safe on the job.

Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs)

Workplace Exposure Limits, or WELs, show the maximum amount of harmful substances workers can safely breathe at work. They act as a safety line for chemicals, dust, fumes, and gases. By keeping below this line, workers avoid health problems like lung damage, skin rashes, or long-term illness.

To stay safe, employers must check the air regularly and make sure these limits are not broken. For example, welding fumes, silica dust, and solvent vapours all have WELs. If levels go above these limits, it can make workers sick and also cause legal trouble for the business.

That’s why following WELs is very important. It keeps workers healthy and the workplace safe. It also helps the business stay legal and avoid fines. By sticking to these limits, businesses reduce the risk of fines and penalties.

COSHH Symbols and Meanings

Here’s what each symbol means:

  • Explosive (Exploding Bomb) – Substances that may explode when heated, shaken, or hit. Handle carefully and keep away from sparks. Example: Fireworks, organic peroxides.
  • Flammable (Flame) – Ignites easily. Keep it away from flames, heat, and sparks. Example: Petrol, spray paints, flammable liquids or gases.
  • Oxidising (Flame over Circle) – Makes fires burn faster or spread. Store separately from flammable items. Example: Bleach, hydrogen peroxide.
  • Corrosive (Corrosion on Hands/Surface) – Burns skin, eyes, or metal. Always wear gloves and goggles. Example: Strong acids like hydrochloric acid.
  • Acute Toxicity (Skull and Crossbones) – Highly poisonous. Swallowing, inhaling, or touching may cause serious illness or death. Example: Pesticides, toxic chemicals.
  • Hazardous to the Environment (Dead Tree and Fish) – Harms plants, fish, or water. Dispose of safely and never pour down drains. Example: Industrial chemicals, fertilisers.
  • Health Hazard / Hazardous to the Ozone Layer (Exclamation Mark) – Irritates skin, eyes, or lungs. Follow instructions and avoid direct contact. Example: Cleaning sprays, mild solvents.
  • Serious Health Hazard (Health Hazard Symbol) – Long-term exposure may lead to cancer, breathing problems, or organ damage. Reduce contact and follow safety rules. Example: Asbestos dust, certain chemicals.
  • Gas Under Pressure (Gas Cylinder) – Compressed or liquefied gases may explode or cause cold burns. Always store upright and handle with care. Example: Propane, oxygen cylinders.

These symbols give a quick warning about danger. Seeing them tells you what to do and how to stay safe. So, spot them fast, act smart, and keep accidents away.

Industry-Specific COSHH Guidance

Every job has its own chemical risks, so the HSE gives clear guidance for each industry. For example, bakers work with flour dust and enzymes that can affect their lungs. Welders deal with fumes and gases from metalwork. In healthcare and labs, staff handle bacteria, viruses, and other biological hazards. At the same time, cleaning and construction workers are exposed to many different chemicals every day. Knowing these risks helps staff stay safe and avoid accidents.

Following this guidance also helps workplaces follow COSHH rules properly. It makes safety measures easier to use for each type of job. When employers and workers understand the dangers in their industry, they can protect themselves and work with confidence. 

Resources and Training for COSHH

The HSE provides guidance and real examples to show how workplaces handle dangerous substances safely. These resources help everyone understand the risks and how to stay safe.

There are also online and in-person COSHH training courses for workers and employers. These courses explain how to spot risks, use safety tools, and follow COSHH rules correctly.

Training also makes it easier to do COSHH risk checks and helps everyone know what they must do. Learning from professionals reduces risks and protects the team.

Final Thoughts on the Definition of COSHH

Safety works best when everyone takes responsibility. Employers lead, employees follow and together they create a culture where health comes first and mistakes are caught early.

To put this into action, follow three simple steps: step one: spot the risks. Step two: control them. Step three: check and repeat. These steps cut accidents, prevent illness, and make safety second nature.

By using this approach, workplaces not only protect staff but also boost morale and improve efficiency. That’s why following COSHH isn’t optional. It’s smart, practical and essential for long-term success.

Do you feel stressed about workplace safety issues? Don’t worry! Take our Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace Training and learn to control risks, avoid trouble, and safeguard everyone.

FAQs

1. What is the meaning of COSHH?

  • COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It’s the law that helps workplaces manage chemicals, dust, fumes, gases, and germs safely.

2. What are the three main regulations of COSHH?

  • The key rules are: identify hazards, assess the risks, and control exposure. Follow these, and the staff stay safe.

3. What is the definition of a hazardous chemical?

A hazardous chemical is anything that can make you sick if it gets in your body through breathing, eating, or touching.

4. What are the 5 main substances covered by COSHH?

  • COSHH covers chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, and biological agents like bacteria or viruses.

5. What are the 10 golden rules for COSHH?

  1. Identify risks
  2. Assess exposure
  3. Use control measures
  4. Provide PPE
  5. Train staff
  6. Monitor exposure
  7. Maintain equipment
  8. Keep records
  9. Review safety procedures
  10. Act fast on incidents

6. What are the 7 chemical hazards?

  1. Explosive
  2. Flammable
  3. Oxidising
  4. Corrosive
  5. Toxic
  6. Environmental hazard
  7. Health hazard

7. What are the 4 main types of hazards?

  • Physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic. Each can harm staff in different ways.
©TrainingTale. All rights reserved.