COSHH Regulations 2002

COSHH assessment template you fill in online

One assessment per product. Copy the hazards from the safety data sheet, tick who is exposed and how you control it, and download a clean PDF for your COSHH folder.

Start a COSHH assessment Fire risk assessment

COSHH ASSESSMENTMedium

Substance

Thick bleach
Sodium hypochlorite <5%

Task

Cleaning washrooms
Daily, 30 minutes

Hazards	Corrosive, hazardous to the environment
Routes	Skin, eyes, breathing in
PPE	Nitrile gloves (EN ISO 374), eye protection
Storage	Locked cupboard, away from acids

Example with sample data.

COSHH assessment

Free, no sign-up. Saved in this browser only; the PDF is made on this device.

1 Substance and task

Business Location or department Product or substance Supplier Safety data sheet held? Form Task it is used for Quantity used How often and how long

2 Hazards

Tick the pictograms shown on the label or in section 2 of the safety data sheet.

Hazard statements H-codes from the SDS Workplace exposure limit If listed in the SDS or EH40

How could it get into the body?

Who could be harmed?

3 Controls and PPE

Personal protective equipment

Glove type Respiratory protection Storage Spillage procedure Disposal Health surveillance needed?

4 First aid

Eyes Skin Breathed in Swallowed

5 Risk and sign-off

Likelihood of harm with controls Severity if harm occurs Further action needed Assessed by Date Review by

COSHH questions

Is a COSHH assessment a legal requirement?

Yes. Regulation 6 of the COSHH Regulations 2002 says an employer must not carry out work that could expose employees to a hazardous substance without a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk. HSE says employers with five or more employees must also record the significant findings.

Do I need one for every product?

You need to assess every hazardous substance your work involves. One assessment per product or per task is the simplest way to keep it clear; products with no hazard pictograms usually need no more than a note in your register.

Where do I find the hazards?

On the product label and in the safety data sheet from the supplier, mainly section 2 (hazards), section 8 (exposure controls and PPE) and section 4 (first aid).

Working on a client’s site?

Main contractors usually ask for RAMS as well as COSHH sheets before work starts. Write a method statement and risk assessment with RAMS Maker and attach your COSHH assessments.

How often should I review it?

Regularly, and straight away if the work changes or there is reason to think it is no longer valid. Many businesses review each assessment yearly.