What Is COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. In UK workplaces, COSHH is the framework used to identify hazardous substances, assess the risk they create, and put practical controls in place to reduce or prevent exposure. COSHH applies to many everyday substances, including cleaning chemicals, sanitisers, degreasers, oils, fuels, solvents, powders, fumes, vapours, mists and biological contaminants.
For many businesses, COSHH is not only about chemical storage. It also covers how hazardous substances are handled, labelled, used, cleaned up, contained, disposed of and reviewed as part of day-to-day health and safety management. A proper COSHH approach helps reduce ill health, contamination, slips, trips, fire risk, environmental harm and unnecessary disruption to operations.
If your team stores, transports, decants, cleans with or may spill hazardous substances, COSHH should be part of your site procedures, staff training, spill response planning and housekeeping routine.
Why COSHH Matters in the Workplace
COSHH matters because exposure to hazardous substances can cause immediate and long-term harm. Depending on the substance and the task, the risk may include skin irritation, burns, eye injuries, breathing problems, poisoning, contamination of food areas, damage to surfaces, pollution of drains and wider environmental incidents.
Good COSHH management helps businesses:
- identify hazardous substances used or stored on site
- carry out a COSHH risk assessment for tasks and areas of exposure
- prevent or adequately control exposure
- store chemicals and hazardous materials more safely
- choose the right spill kit and spill control products
- improve housekeeping and reduce slip hazards
- protect drains, surfaces, stock and work areas
- support legal compliance and documented best practice
What Substances Can Fall Under COSHH?
A wide range of substances can fall under COSHH, not just products with obvious hazard symbols. Examples may include:
- cleaning chemicals and sanitisers
- degreasers and detergents
- solvents and fuels
- oils and lubricants
- acids and alkalis
- chemical powders, dusts and granules
- fumes, vapours, mists and residues generated by work activities
- waste liquids, contaminated absorbents and leaking containers
In practical terms, if a substance can harm health through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, injection or eye contact, it may need to be considered under COSHH. This is why COSHH is highly relevant to warehouses, workshops, engineering facilities, laboratories, vehicle depots, catering operations, schools, cleaning teams, plant rooms, maintenance departments and temporary event sites.
COSHH Risk Assessment: What Should It Cover?
A COSHH risk assessment should identify the hazardous substance, who could be exposed, how exposure might happen, what controls are already in place and what further action is needed. It should also consider storage, transfer, accidental release, spill response, waste handling and emergency arrangements.
A typical COSHH assessment should review:
- the substance and its hazards
- where and how it is used
- the quantity stored or handled
- who may be exposed, including contractors or visitors
- routes of exposure such as splash, vapour, dust or skin contact
- existing controls such as containment, ventilation, PPE and training
- spill response arrangements and waste disposal
- whether controls remain effective and need review
Where products are hazardous, the assessment should be supported by supplier information and safety data. COSHH is strongest when it is practical, site-specific and tied to real tasks, not just filed away as paperwork.
COSHH and Spill Control
COSHH and spill control are closely linked. A spill can create direct exposure risks, contaminate work surfaces, block safe access routes and allow hazardous liquid to spread into drains or sensitive areas. For that reason, spill planning should sit alongside COSHH storage, handling and housekeeping controls.
Many workplaces benefit from keeping appropriate absorbents, disposal bags, PPE and drain protection close to the point of risk. The right response product depends on the substance involved. A general-purpose absorbent may be suitable for many water-based liquids, while chemical spills and oil or fuel spills often require more specific absorbent solutions.
Useful product areas include:
Spill control also supports wider site safety. A fast response can reduce slip hazards, isolate contamination, protect staff and members of the public, and help prevent a minor leak from becoming a more serious incident.
COSHH Storage and COSHH Cabinets
COSHH storage is a major part of compliance. Hazardous substances should be stored in a way that reduces the chance of leaks, incompatible mixing, accidental access and unnecessary exposure. Storage areas should be organised, labelled and matched to the substances held.
In many workplaces, COSHH cabinets are used to improve storage control for cleaning chemicals, maintenance fluids and other hazardous products. A suitable cabinet can help with segregation, visibility, stock control and safer day-to-day handling.
See our range of COSHH Cabinets for safer hazardous substance storage options.
Storage should also work alongside containment and good layout. Where leaks or decanting risks exist, bunding, trays, spill pallets and related containment measures may also be appropriate. For wider containment planning, see Bund Design Guidelines.
COSHH in Catering, Hospitality and Temporary Events
COSHH is especially relevant in catering, hospitality and temporary event environments because several risks can overlap in a small footprint. Cleaning products, sanitisers, food preparation chemicals, cooking oils, grease, waste liquids and slippery walkways all need to be considered together.
This is one reason COSHH links naturally with practical spill response. In busy catering settings, a compact spill kit can help staff respond quickly to oils, drinks, cleaning chemicals and waste-related leaks before the hazard spreads. For background context, see Compact Spill Kits for Pop-up Catering.
In public-facing environments, the speed of response matters. Good COSHH controls, suitable housekeeping materials and anti-slip planning can all help reduce accidents and service disruption. You may also find our page on anti-slip flooring materials helpful.
Best Practice for COSHH Compliance
Strong COSHH compliance usually comes from combining assessment, storage, training and spill readiness rather than relying on one control alone. Good practice often includes:
- keeping an up-to-date COSHH inventory
- reviewing safety data and site-specific hazards
- training staff on handling, storage and spill response
- labelling containers and decanted products clearly
- segregating incompatible substances
- placing suitable spill kits near likely risk points
- protecting drains where liquid release could spread contamination
- reviewing assessments after changes, incidents or new products
For broader operational guidance, visit our Best Practice Guidelines page.
When Should COSHH Be Reviewed?
COSHH should not be treated as a one-off exercise. Your COSHH assessment and controls should be reviewed when substances change, processes change, storage volumes increase, incidents occur, new staff are introduced, or there is reason to believe existing measures are no longer adequate.
Regular review is particularly important in dynamic workplaces, shared sites, temporary operations and environments where substances are delivered, moved, decanted or disposed of frequently.
Need Help Supporting Your COSHH Controls?
Serpro supplies a wide range of spill control, storage and containment products that can support practical COSHH arrangements in everyday workplaces. This includes chemical spill kits, general purpose spill kits, oil and fuel spill kits, drain protection and COSHH cabinets.
If your site uses, stores or may spill hazardous substances, reviewing your COSHH controls alongside your spill response measures is a practical step towards safer operations, better housekeeping and stronger environmental protection.
References
- HSE: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- HSE: Control of substances hazardous to health in cleaning work
- The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- COSHH Regulations 2002, Regulation 7: prevention or control of exposure
- Serpro Blog: Compact Spill Kits for Pop-up Catering