Assess The Task, Not Just The Container
A COSHH assessment considers the risk from substances hazardous to health in the way they are actually used or created. Buying a cleaning product, applying a coating and cutting a material involve different exposure patterns. We scope assessments for London commercial workplaces by looking at the task, the substance, the people exposed and the existing controls.
A folder of safety data sheets is useful background, but it does not explain how your staff decant, mix, apply or dispose of a product. Process-generated hazards such as dust and fumes also need attention, even where no supplier provides a data sheet for the substance created during work.
When COSHH Support Is Useful
Ask for support when your substance register is incomplete, working methods have changed or staff are unsure which precautions apply. New cleaning contracts, maintenance activities and workshop processes can introduce exposures that a general assessment has not considered. A change in packaging or application method can also alter the risk.
We ask how frequently the task occurs, how long it takes and whether exposure may affect cleaners, contractors or people nearby. Small volumes do not automatically mean low risk. A brief task using a sensitising substance needs a different approach from routine use of a less hazardous product in a closed system.
The Regulations And The Assessment Boundary
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require assessment and appropriate control of exposure to substances hazardous to health. HSE guidance makes clear that assessment must be specific to the work. Prevention of exposure should be considered first, followed by adequate controls where prevention is not reasonably practicable.
COSHH does not cover every hazard associated with a product or process. Fire and explosion risks, for example, need separate consideration where relevant. Asbestos and lead also have their own regulatory frameworks, so identifying these issues is a reason to obtain the appropriate specialist input rather than treat a general COSHH record as sufficient.
How A COSHH Assessment Is Developed
We begin with a task inventory, current safety data sheets and information about quantities, handling and storage. Conversations with the people doing the work help identify informal practices, including cleaning spills, changing containers and clearing blockages. Observing the task can reveal exposure routes that a desk review would miss.
We then consider substitution, containment, extraction and other controls before reliance on personal protective equipment alone. The written assessment should state the precautions, the people responsible and any additional checks required. Exposure monitoring, health surveillance or technical examination may need specialist advice, with separate scope and cost agreed before commissioning.
Making The Controls Work
The assessment needs to be usable during the task. Instructions should explain the control measures, what to do if equipment fails and where staff can find emergency information. If respiratory protection is required, selection, suitability, training and fit testing where applicable need attention rather than a generic instruction to wear a mask.
Managers should check that controls remain available and are being used as intended. Changes to products, ventilation, working time or staffing may trigger a review. Our health and safety risk assessments can cover wider workplace hazards, while a safety audit can sample how the substance controls are managed.
Cost And Information To Prepare
COSHH assessment cost depends on the number of distinct tasks and substances, the potential exposure routes, site access and the quality of existing information. Several products used in one process may need a different assessment approach from the same product used in unrelated tasks. Technical sampling and specialist reports are separate considerations.
For a useful enquiry, provide the type of workplace, the processes involved and an approximate description of your current substance records. Mention extraction systems, existing monitoring or concerns raised by staff without including medical details. We can then agree whether the work needs a site visit and what the assessment package should contain.
Your Service Questions
Is A Safety Data Sheet A COSHH Assessment?
A safety data sheet is not a COSHH assessment. It describes a product’s hazards and provides information to help you assess its use. Your assessment must consider the actual task, exposure, people affected and controls in your workplace. It should also address process-generated hazards, such as dust, that may have no product data sheet.
Does COSHH Apply To Office Cleaning Products?
COSHH can apply to office cleaning products where they present a hazard to health during work. The assessment should reflect the product, dilution, method of use and possible exposure, including people nearby. It may be straightforward for a low-risk task, but a supplier’s instructions still need to be considered against actual working practices.
Reference: HSE guidance relevant to this service.
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