The significance of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) in care homes cannot be overstated. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than 1.8 million UK workers suffer from work-related illnesses each year, costing businesses an estimated £18 billion annually.

COSHH regulations are designed to protect employees, residents, and visitors from harm by ensuring hazardous substances are properly controlled. These regulations require risk assessments, management procedures, and protective measures to reduce exposure and prevent injury.

This guide outlines:

• What COSHH is and why it matters in care homes
• Employer responsibilities for COSHH compliance
• Where hazardous substances are commonly found in care homes
• How to maintain COSHH compliance

The Law

If your care home uses or creates hazardous substances, or carries out processes that might harm health, you are legally required to control these risks.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to most hazardous substances found in the workplace, requiring employers to take preventative or control measures to minimise exposure.

What Employers Must Do

Employers can prevent or reduce exposure to hazardous substances by:

• Identifying health hazards present in the care home
• Assessing risks and deciding how to control them
• Implementing control measures (e.g., PPE, ventilation, safer procedures)
• Ensuring control measures are used correctly by staff
• Maintaining and regularly checking control measures
• Providing training, information, and instructions to all workers
• Conducting health surveillance where appropriate
• Preparing for emergencies (e.g., chemical spills, accidental exposure)

Chemical Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide vital information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, and emergency procedures. Remember, a safety data sheet is not a risk assessment, you should use the information it contains to help make your own assessment.

Care home employers must ensure that all chemicals used have an up-to-date Safety Data Sheet, which can be used to:

• Identify hazards and safe handling instructions
• Guide risk assessments and control measures
• Determine emergency responses in case of accidental exposure

Employer Responsibilities Under COSHH

Care home employers must:

• Implement safety control measures to reduce exposure
• Conduct COSHH risk assessments regularly
• Provide adequate PPE for staff handling hazardous substances
• Deliver training on COSHH compliance
• Ensure safe storage and disposal of hazardous materials
• Develop emergency response strategies for chemical spills and exposure

Failure to meet these requirements puts lives at risk and can result in legal action.

Where Are Hazardous Substances Found in Care Homes?

Hazardous substances in care homes can come from everyday materials, including:

• Cleaning products – bleach, disinfectants, chlorine
• Medicines – some pharmaceutical ingredients contain hazardous components
• Bodily fluids – urine, blood, faeces, and biological hazards
• Maintenance products – paints, solvents, adhesives, and dust particles

A robust COSHH policy ensures that all hazardous substances are correctly stored, handled, and disposed of to protect staff, residents, and visitors.

Who is Responsible for COSHH Risk Assessments in Care Homes?

The employer or care home manager has the legal duty to ensure that COSHH risk assessments are carried out.

They may:

• Perform the assessment themselves
• Delegate the task to a competent staff member
• Hire an external health & safety expert

Regardless of who conducts the assessment, the employer remains legally accountable for COSHH compliance.