How to carry out a COSHH risk assessment

Hazardous substances are found in more workplaces than you might think. It’s not just mysterious scientific laboratories or chemical plants! Cleaning products in schools, paint in workshops, dust at construction sites and even printer toner in offices... these things all count. A COSHH risk assessment is a straightforward way to spot these hazards. And then control them before they harm anyone.

Step 1: identify the substances

Firstly look around your workplace and list anything that could be harmful. This can include things like cleaning sprays, glues, solvents, cement dust, welding fumes or even flour in a bakery. In one office, staff developed skin irritation from a standard cleaning product because no one realised how strong it was. Identifying what substances are present is the first step to managing them.

Step 2: understand the risks

Secondly, think about how people might be exposed to the chemicals. Could workers breathe in fumes, get dust on their skin, or accidentally swallow something? A COSHH risk assessment in a school might show that cleaners are at risk from inhaling bleach fumes. On the other hand, in a factory the danger could come from metalworking fluids. Considering the real day-to-day activities makes the risks clearer.

Step 3: decide on controls

Once the risks are clear, controls need to be put in place. This could be as simple as providing gloves, improving ventilation, or storing substances in labelled containers. On a building site, using a vacuum system instead of sweeping up cement dust can reduce exposure. In a kitchen, switching to a milder cleaning product might be enough to result in a lower risk.

Step 4: record and review

The next step is to write down what you’ve found - and what you’re planning on doing about it. This doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should be clear. Review the COSHH risk assessment regularly too. Substances change, and as a result, so do the ways people use them. A new process or product could bring new hazards to the workplace.

Final thought

Carrying out a COSHH risk assessment is less about paperwork and more about protecting people. By spotting hazardous substances, understanding the risks, and putting controls in place, you make sure staff, pupils, or site workers can do their jobs safely. It’s practical, it’s sensible, and it makes workplaces healthier for everyone.

For more help and advice with workplace risk assessments, get in touch with our team at Ardent Safety. And our workplace training can make sure all staff are on the same page. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for more workplace safety insights and tips.