COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a set of UK regulations (COSHH Regulations 2002) that require employers to assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

What are examples of COSHH substances?

Common COSHH substances include cleaning chemicals, paints and solvents, adhesives, pesticides, wood dust, flour dust, welding fumes, and biological agents such as bacteria and viruses.

What Is COSHH?

Q: Who do the COSHH regulations apply to?

COSHH applies to all UK employers and self-employed people whose work involves hazardous substances. This includes chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases, and biological agents.

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a set of UK regulations that require employers to assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace to protect workers and others from harm.

What Does COSHH Cover?

The COSHH Regulations 2002 apply to a wide range of hazardous substances encountered at work. These include:

Chemicals — cleaning products, paints, solvents, adhesives, pesticides
Fumes — welding fumes, exhaust emissions, soldering fumes
Dusts — wood dust, flour dust, silica dust, cement dust
Vapours and mists — spray paints, oil mists, acid mists
Gases — carbon monoxide, chlorine, ammonia
Biological agents — bacteria, viruses, fungi
Nanotechnology particles

COSHH does not cover lead (covered by the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002), asbestos (covered by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012), or radioactive substances.

Key fact: Hazardous substances are found in nearly every workplace — not just factories or labs. Offices use cleaning products, hairdressers use dyes and perming solutions, and bakeries generate flour dust.

Who Do the COSHH Regulations Apply To?

COSHH applies to all UK employers and self-employed people whose work involves, or may involve, exposure to hazardous substances. This covers every industry sector, from construction and manufacturing to healthcare, agriculture, and retail.

Employers have a legal duty to:

Assess the risks — identify which hazardous substances are present and who might be exposed
Decide on precautions — determine what control measures are needed
Prevent or control exposure — eliminate the substance, substitute it, or use engineering controls, PPE, and safe systems of work
Maintain controls — ensure control measures remain effective through regular inspection and maintenance
Monitor exposure — carry out workplace exposure monitoring where required
Provide health surveillance — where employees are exposed to specific substances
Inform, instruct, and train — ensure workers understand the risks and how to protect themselves
Plan for emergencies — have procedures in place for accidents and incidents involving hazardous substances

What Are COSHH Assessments?

A COSHH assessment is a structured evaluation of the health risks from hazardous substances used or produced in your workplace. It involves:

Identifying which hazardous substances are present
Considering who might be harmed and how
Evaluating the level of risk
Recording findings and implementing control measures
Reviewing the assessment regularly, especially when work practices change

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance and templates to help employers carry out COSHH assessments effectively.

The COSHH Hierarchy of Controls

When controlling exposure to hazardous substances, employers should follow this hierarchy, starting with the most effective measure:

Priority	Control Measure	Example
1	Elimination	Stop using the substance entirely
2	Substitution	Replace with a less hazardous substance
3	Engineering controls	Local exhaust ventilation, enclosed systems
4	Administrative controls	Safe work procedures, limiting exposure time
5	PPE	Gloves, respirators, eye protection

Why Is COSHH Training Important?

COSHH training ensures that workers can recognise hazardous substances, understand the risks, read safety data sheets, use control measures correctly, and respond to spills or emergencies. It is a legal requirement under Regulation 12 of the COSHH Regulations 2002.

Without proper training, workers may unknowingly expose themselves to substances that cause:

Skin conditions — dermatitis, chemical burns, sensitisation
Respiratory diseases — occupational asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cancers — from long-term exposure to carcinogens
Organ damage — liver, kidney, or nervous system damage
Acute poisoning — from high-level or sudden exposure

Learn More With Our COSHH Level 2 Course

Our free online COSHH Level 2 course covers hazard identification, COSHH assessments, the hierarchy of controls, safety data sheets, and emergency procedures — all aligned to UK regulations.

Start COSHH Course

Frequently Asked Questions

What does COSHH stand for?

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It refers to the COSHH Regulations 2002, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK.

Is COSHH training a legal requirement?

Yes. Under Regulation 12 of the COSHH Regulations 2002, employers must provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction, and training for employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances.

How often should COSHH assessments be reviewed?

COSHH assessments should be reviewed regularly — especially when there are changes to substances used, work processes, or if an incident occurs. There is no fixed legal timeframe, but annual reviews are considered good practice.