What is a coshh assessment template?
A written record of: (1) the hazardous substances present; (2) the work activities involving them; (3) the people exposed; (4) the level of exposure; (5) the controls in place; and (6) what to do in an emergency. The assessment is signed off by a competent person and reviewed annually or when conditions change.
Who needs one?
Every UK business that uses or produces substances hazardous to health needs COSHH assessments. In construction, this includes essentially every contractor - even simple work involving paint, adhesives, cleaning chemicals, dust-producing materials or compressed gases requires COSHH assessment.
UK legal basis
- SSControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- SSHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- SSManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- SSControl of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (for asbestos-specific assessments)
- SSControl of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
Key sections to include
Worked example
Common mistakes
- !Generic templates copied across substances - a brick dust assessment is not the same as a silica concrete assessment
- !Missing the safety data sheet reference - which is the legal source
- !Not specifying RPE type (FFP1 vs FFP2 vs FFP3) - inadequate masks fail the assessment
- !Forgetting health surveillance for substances that trigger it (silica, isocyanates, lead, asbestos)
- !Not reviewing when conditions or substances change
FAQ
Is a COSHH assessment legally required?+
Yes - the COSHH Regulations 2002 make it mandatory for any UK business using hazardous substances.
How often should COSHH assessments be reviewed?+
Annually as a minimum, plus whenever the substance, work activity, or controls change.
Can I do my own COSHH assessment or do I need a consultant?+
You can do your own if you are competent. Most UK contractors do COSHH assessments in-house using safety data sheets. Consultants are needed for complex chemical processes or when in-house competence is genuinely lacking.
Where do I get the safety data sheet?+
Every supplier of a hazardous substance is legally required to provide a safety data sheet free of charge under REACH regulations. Ask your supplier - they must provide it.
Do I need a separate COSHH assessment for each substance?+
Each substance gets its own assessment, but assessments can be grouped by similar substances or work activities. A single assessment for 'metal cutting fluids' covering 5 similar products works fine if they have similar hazard profiles.
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