What is COSHH?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) set out the legal requirements for protecting the health of people in the workplace from hazardous substances. It is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health and also under the requirements of CQC (Care Quality Commission) under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Regulation 15: Premises and equipment and Regulation 17: Good governance.

The Regulations require employers to ensure that the exposure of their employees to substances hazardous to health is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled. The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ are given specific meanings under the regulations. Substances can take many forms and include: chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, nanotechnology, gases and asphyxiating gases and biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance. It also includes germs that cause diseases such as legionnaires disease. COSHH does not cover lead, asbestos or radioactive substances because these have their own specific regulations.