What Substances Does COSHH Cover?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (2002) regulations protect employees from occupational harm caused by dangerous chemicals. The COSHH regulations outline the safety responsibilities of an employer to protect workers and others on-premises from being caused harm by hazardous substances. 

The employer must work to minimise the risk of health hazards posed by hazardous substances stored at the workplace. COSHH regulations cover a number of substances deemed to be hazardous, so it is important that any organisation that stores or handles such substances understands its legal obligations, in order to implement the highest standards of health and safety procedure.

What are the seven hazardous substances?

The regulations governed by COSHH cover the following hazardous substance categories:

Chemicals (and products containing chemicals)

Fumes

Dusts

Vapours

Mists

Gases

Germs

There are nine hazard symbols that may be applied to a substance to denote it as potentially harmful. These include:

Explosives

Gases

Flammable liquids

Flammable solids

Oxidising agents and organic peroxides

Toxins and infectious substances

Radioactive material

Corrosives

Miscellaneous dangerous goods. If a material is labelled with a hazard symbol, it is classed as a hazardous substance. 

In order to reduce the risk of work-related ill health, employers must implement extensive measures for the control of substances hazardous to a safe working environment.

What are the 3 main regulations that COSHH does not cover?

COSHH regulations do not cover lead, asbestos, or radioactive substances, because these have their own specific regulations. However, any workplace that handles or stores these - or other hazardous substances - should still work to ensure that the highest standard of safety is met. Other legal implications that are not governed by COSHH cover these substances, so employers who fail to implement control measures and actively take precautions to reduce harm and mitigate risk will likely be held accountable. 

What is COSHH in the workplace?

Under the law that requires employers to control substances hazardous to health, criteria outline the handling and storing requirements of such chemicals. In order to be COSHH-compliant, an employer must undertake and implement findings from COSHH risk assessments for each of the harmful substances on-premises. 

To remain COSHH-compliant, employers should store any hazardous chemicals and substances in COSHH-approved cabinets or cupboards. The appropriate storage solution will depend on the nature of the hazardous substance and the needs of the daily activities that require them. 

Each of the substances hazardous to health have different storage requirements, including specific environmental, ventilation, and storage material. By choosing hazardous substance cabinets that meet and exceed the regulations outlined by COSHH, you can give yourself the peace of mind that you are complying with the employer's legal obligation to reduce workers' exposure to health hazards.

Find out more about COSHH storage and compliance

To understand how to best implement workplace safety procedures, there is no better resource than SafetyBuyer. As experts in the field of occupational health and safety, we provide leading hazardous storage cabinets for every need. 

When you choose SafetyBuyer for your hazardous substance storage needs, you meet and exceed all the necessary regulations for your workplace. Visit the range of high-quality COSHH storage cabinets here. 

FAQs on substances covered by COSHH

What exactly does COSHH cover?

COSHH, or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, is a set of regulations aimed at protecting people from substances hazardous to health. It covers a variety of substances, including chemicals, fumes, and biological agents like bacteria. What is regulated by COSHH extends to various industries and settings.

Can you provide some COSHH examples?

Certainly! COSHH examples could range from cleaning chemicals used in offices to the solvents used in industrial manufacturing processes. In healthcare settings, even alcohol-based sanitizers are considered coshh hazardous substances.

What about the food industry? Are there any COSHH hazardous substances food workers should be aware of?

Workers in the food sector should be cautious about include cleaning agents, certain preservatives, and even some types of flour. COSHH regulations aim to keep both employees and consumers safe from harmful substances.

How can I identify if a substance falls under COSHH regulations?

If a substance has a warning label on its container, COSHH regulations are highly likely to apply. Warning labels are usually a good indication that you're dealing with a substance hazardous to health.

In what form do hazardous substances usually come?

Hazardous substances can exist in various forms such as gases, liquids, and solids. Some advanced materials, like nano-materials and technology, are covered by COSHH as well.

Is alcohol considered hazardous under COSHH?

Yes, is alcohol COSHH a hazardous substance? The answer is yes, particularly in contexts like healthcare where alcohol-based hand sanitisers are commonly used.

Are nano-materials and technology considered hazardous?

Nano-materials and technology are covered by COSHH. As technology progresses, COSHH regulations adapt to include new types of hazardous materials.

How do I know what substances are hazardous to health?

To identify what are substances hazardous to health, one should look for warning labels, safety data sheets, and industry-specific guidelines. These sources will give you a comprehensive idea of what falls under COSHH guidelines.

By keeping these FAQs in mind, you're taking a significant step towards ensuring a safer work environment. Understanding what is regulated by COSHH is crucial in effectively managing the risks posed by hazardous substances in multiple sectors.