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COSHH Assessment
& Compliance Services
COSHH Regulations 2002 · EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits · Hazardous Substances
Professional COSHH assessments by IOSH Chartered consultants. Hazardous substance risk assessments, exposure monitoring, COSHH training, and compliance documentation aligned with EH40 and COSHH Essentials.
Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
COSHH Assessment, Risk Assessment & Training
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH Regulations) require all UK employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. COSHH compliance is a legal requirement — not optional.
Arinite provides comprehensive COSHH services including COSHH risk assessments, COSHH training, gap analysis, safety data sheet (SDS) reviews, workplace exposure limit (WEL) monitoring, health surveillance coordination, and ongoing COSHH compliance support. Our IOSH Chartered consultants deliver practical, proportionate solutions aligned with HSE guidance — including HSE's COSHH Essentials methodology and EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits.
What Is COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
The COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended) are designed to prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances that could damage health. COSHH covers chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, biological agents, nanomaterials, and substances created by work processes.
COSHH applies to all employers across every sector — from offices and schools to manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and laboratories. COSHH has been a legal requirement in the UK since 1988, with the current regulations in force since 2002.
Why COSHH Matters
The Impact of Hazardous Substances at Work
According to HSE data, exposure to hazardous substances at work causes an estimated 13,000 deaths per year in the UK — including occupational cancers, respiratory diseases, and skin conditions. COSHH compliance saves lives.
Many harmful substance exposures are:
Gradual and cumulative over months or years
Invisible — you may not see, smell, or feel the exposure
Linked to routine, everyday tasks that seem low-risk
Without effective COSHH controls, health damage can occur long before symptoms are identified. Occupational asthma, dermatitis, and occupational cancer may take years to develop.
Your Legal Duties Under COSHH
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH Regulations), employers must:
Identify all substances hazardous to health used or created at work
Carry out suitable and sufficient COSHH risk assessments
Prevent exposure where reasonably practicable, or adequately control it
Ensure control measures (including LEV, PPE, and safe systems) are used and maintained
Provide COSHH information, instruction, and training to employees
Carry out health surveillance where required (e.g. for isocyanates, silica, wood dust)
Monitor workplace exposure against Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) in EH40
Prepare plans and procedures for emergencies involving hazardous substances
Review COSHH risk assessments regularly and when circumstances change
Penalties for COSHH non-compliance include unlimited fines for organisations, imprisonment for individuals, civil claims for occupational disease, and HSE enforcement action including prohibition and improvement notices.
What Substances Are Covered by COSHH?
COSHH applies to a wide range of hazardous substances found across virtually every workplace, including:
Chemicals and chemical products (cleaning agents, solvents, adhesives, paints)
Dusts — including wood dust, flour dust, silica dust, grain dust, and construction dust
Fumes — including welding fumes, soldering fumes, and exhaust fumes
Vapours and mists (solvent vapours, oil mist, spray paint)
Gases and asphyxiants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen, chlorine)
Biological agents — bacteria, viruses, fungi (including Legionella and blood-borne pathogens)
Nanomaterials and engineered nanoparticles
Substances generated by work processes (e.g. rubber fume, rosin flux fume)
COSHH also applies to substances created by work activities — not just those purchased or supplied in containers. If a process generates dust, fume, or vapour, COSHH applies.
What an Effective COSHH Management System Involves
A robust COSHH management system should include:
A full hazardous substance inventory and register
COSHH risk assessments for all identified substances and work activities
Implementation of the hierarchy of control (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE)
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) testing and maintenance records (at least every 14 months)
Safety data sheet (SDS) library — accessible and current
COSHH training records for all exposed employees
Workplace exposure monitoring where required (against WELs in EH40)
Health surveillance programme for relevant exposures
Regular review and update of all COSHH documentation
COSHH is not a one-off exercise — it is an ongoing management process that must be reviewed whenever substances, processes, or personnel change.
COSHH Risk Assessment — The 5-Step Process
A COSHH risk assessment is a legal requirement and the foundation of COSHH compliance. It must be "suitable and sufficient" as defined by the HSE.
Step 1: Identify the Hazardous Substances
- •Review all product labels and safety data sheets (SDS/MSDS)
- •Identify all hazardous substances used, stored, or generated at work
- •Check Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) in EH40
- •Identify hazard classifications and GHS pictograms
Step 2: Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How
- •Identify all employees and others at risk of exposure
- •Consider all routes of exposure — inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, injection
- •Assess frequency, duration, and level of exposure
- •Consider vulnerable groups — pregnant workers, young workers, contractors, visitors
Step 3: Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Control Measures
- •Assess the level of risk from each substance and task
- •Apply the hierarchy of control:
- •1. Elimination — remove the substance
- •2. Substitution — use a less hazardous alternative
- •3. Engineering controls — LEV, enclosure, automation
- •4. Administrative controls — safe systems of work, procedures, signage
- •5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) — as a last resort
Step 4: Record Your Findings and Implement Controls
- •Document all hazards, risks, control measures, and responsibilities
- •Communicate findings to all affected employees
- •Ensure COSHH assessments are accessible and understood
Step 5: Review and Update the Assessment
- •Review COSHH assessments regularly — at least annually
- •Update immediately when substances, processes, or equipment change
- •Review following any incident, near miss, or health concern
- •Record all reviews with dates and any changes made
Step 6: Monitor, Maintain, and Health Surveillance
- •Monitor workplace exposure levels against WELs where required
- •Maintain all control measures including LEV (14-monthly thorough examination)
- •Provide ongoing COSHH training and refresher training
- •Implement health surveillance for substances requiring it (e.g. isocyanates, silica, lead)
COSHH Training
COSHH training is a legal requirement for all employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances at work. Under the COSHH Regulations, employers must provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction, and training.
Arinite provides practical COSHH training tailored to your workplace:
COSHH training covers:
Understanding COSHH regulations and employer/employee duties
Identifying hazardous substances and reading safety data sheets (SDS)
Safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances
Correct use of control measures including LEV and RPE
Correct selection and use of PPE
Emergency procedures for spills, leaks, and accidental exposure
Health surveillance — what it is and why it matters
COSHH Services from Arinite
Arinite provides end-to-end COSHH services across all sectors:
COSHH Gap Analysis
Independent review of your current COSHH arrangements
Identification of compliance gaps and priority actions
Clear, actionable COSHH improvement plan
COSHH Risk Assessments
Task-specific and substance-specific COSHH assessments
HSE-aligned methodology using COSHH Essentials
Practical, usable documentation — not generic templates
COSHH Management Systems
Hazardous substance registers and COSHH documentation
Integration with existing health and safety management systems
Ongoing COSHH review and continuous improvement
COSHH Training & Awareness
Employee, supervisor, and manager COSHH training
COSHH toolbox talks and awareness sessions
Annual COSHH refresher training
Health Surveillance & Exposure Monitoring
Identification of health surveillance requirements
Workplace exposure monitoring against WELs (EH40)
Coordination with occupational health providers
LEV testing and examination coordination
Who Do the COSHH Regulations Apply To?
COSHH applies across all sectors and business sizes, including:
Offices and commercial premises (cleaning products, printer toner, hand sanitiser)
Manufacturing, engineering, and fabrication
Construction and maintenance
Healthcare, dental, and veterinary practices
Laboratories, research, and education
Facilities management and cleaning contractors
Food and drink production
Agriculture and horticulture
Even organisations that consider themselves "low risk" almost certainly have COSHH duties — cleaning products alone are hazardous substances under COSHH.
Why Choose Arinite for COSHH Compliance Support?
IOSH Chartered Health & Safety professionals
Practical, proportionate COSHH advice — not over-engineered solutions
Bespoke COSHH risk assessments — no generic templates
COSHH documentation designed for real-world use and HSE inspection readiness
Support aligned with business objectives and operational needs
Available across London, the UK, and internationally
We help you protect health and achieve COSHH compliance — not just tick boxes.
The Arinite Transformation™
From Reactive Firefighting to Proactive Health & Safety Compliance
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
The Arinite Difference:
Other consultants get you to Stage 2 (Compliant) and disappear.
We get you to Stage 3 (Proactive) and keep you there.
That's why we call it transformation, not just compliance.
"We work with you to deliver peace of mind. We tailor our service provision to your business to provide proactive, pragmatic health and safety advice and that helps reduce costs by ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation."
Robert Winsloe
Managing Director
From Hidden Gaps to Compliance
Our proven 3-step system has helped over 1,000 businesses eliminate enforcement risk, pass inspections, and protect directors from personal liability.
No guesswork. No generic templates. No box-ticking.
Free Health and Safety Gap Analysis Call
Identify what's missing before an inspector does.
A focused 30-minute health and safety assessment to expose weaknesses in your current arrangements.
What you get:
→ You leave knowing exactly where you're exposed and what to do about it.
Health and Safety Audit
Turn risk into documented compliance, fast.
We conduct a comprehensive health and safety audit of your workplace and ensure everything inspectors expect to see is in place. This covers risk assessments, workplace safety inspections, health and safety policy documentation, and every gap identified in Step 1.
What's included:
→ You move from exposed to defensible with evidence to prove it.
Outsource Your Health & Safety - The Arinite Partnership
We become your health and safety department. Your competent person. Your compliance team.
No chasing updates. No need to worry about changes in health and safety laws. No need to wonder if you've missed something. You focus on your core day-to-day business, Arinite handle the rest.
What we take ownership of:
→ Compliance handled. Risk controlled. Directors protected.
Why This Works
Most enforcement actions arise from systems being assumed rather than proven.
We don't advise. We don't hand over templates.
We build, implement, and maintain end-to-end health and safety compliance, and when we identify an action item, we proactively pursue and resolve it. That's the difference.
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Browse LibraryCOSHH FAQs
Common questions about COSHH compliance
Still Have Questions About Health & Safety Compliance?
Our IOSH Chartered health and safety consultants are here to help with any queries about workplace safety, compliance, or our services.
Get in Touch
Have a question or need expert advice? We're here to help.
Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
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