What is COSHH?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. These UK regulations require employers to protect workers from health risks when working with hazardous substances.

• Purpose: To prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to harmful substances that could      cause illness, injury, or long‑term health problems.
• Scope: Applies to almost all workplaces where hazardous substances are present, including:
  • Chemicals (solvents, cleaning agents, paints)
  • Dusts (wood dust, flour dust, silica)
  • Fumes (welding fumes, exhaust gases)
  • Biological agents (bacteria, viruses)
  • Nanomaterials and other modern hazards

• Legal Requirement: Breach of COSHH is a criminal offence, punishable by      unlimited fines.
• Health Protection: Prevents occupational diseases such as asthma, dermatitis,      cancer, or infections.
• Industry Impact: Applies across construction, manufacturing, healthcare,      laboratories, food production, and more.

Example

• A woodworking shop must assess risks from wood dust, install extraction systems, and provide masks.
• A hospital must assess risks from biological agents, provide vaccinations, and train staff in safe handling.

In short: COSHH regulations legally require UK employers to assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances to protect worker health.

Employers must:

• Carry out a COSHH risk assessment to identify hazardous substances and evaluate risks

Implement control measures (ventilation, PPE, safer handling methods) to reduce exposure.

Ensure controls are maintained and effective (e.g., regular checks on extraction systems)

Provide training and information so workers understand the risks and safe practices

Monitor exposure levels where necessary (e.g., air sampling for dust or fumes)

Provide health surveillance if workers are exposed to substances with known health risks (e.g., isocyanates, asbestos)

Why COSHH Matters

• Legal Requirement: Breach of COSHH is a criminal offence, punishable by      unlimited fines.
• Health Protection: Prevents occupational diseases such as asthma, dermatitis,      cancer, or infections.
• Industry Impact: Applies across construction, manufacturing, healthcare,      laboratories, food production, and more.
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In short: COSHH regulations legally require UK employers to assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances to protect worker health.

Under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) you do need inspections, but they’re not the same as LOLER or PSSR “thorough examinations.” COSHH focuses on risk assessments, monitoring, and control measures rather than fixed inspection intervals.

COSHH Inspection & Monitoring Requirements

• Risk Assessment:
  • Employers must assess all hazardous substances in the workplace (chemicals, dusts, fumes, biological agents).
  • This assessment must be reviewed regularly, especially if processes change or       new substances are introduced.
• Inspection of Control Measures:
  • Engineering controls (e.g., LEV – Local Exhaust Ventilation systems) must be examined and tested at least every 14 months by a competent person.
  • PPE and other protective equipment must be checked regularly to ensure it is effective.

 Exposure Monitoring:

• Air sampling or biological monitoring may be required if there’s a risk of exceeding Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs).
• Frequency depends on the substance and risk level.

 Health Surveillance:

• Required if workers are exposed to substances with known health risks (e.g.,      isocyanates, lead, asbestos).
• Surveillance can include medical checks, lung function tests, or skin inspections.

Under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002), the frequency of equipment inspection depends on the type of control measure being used. Unlike LOLER or PSSR, COSHH doesn’t set one fixed interval for all equipment — it specifies different requirements based on risk.

Inspection Frequencies Under COSHH

• Local  Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems
  • Must   be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months by a       competent person.
  • In some high‑risk industries (e.g., foundries, woodworking), shorter intervals may be required.
• Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
  • Must be checked before each use to ensure it works properly.
  • Face‑fit testing is required when issued, and ongoing checks should be carried out regularly.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (gloves, goggles, clothing)
  • Must be inspected regularly for damage or wear — typically daily or weekly depending on use.

 Other Engineering Controls (enclosures, isolation systems, scrubbers)

• Must be maintained and inspected according to manufacturer’s guidance     and risk assessment.

 Health Surveillance & Monitoring

• Required if workers are exposed to substances with known health risks (e.g.,      isocyanates, lead, asbestos).
• Frequency depends on the substance — could be annual medical checks or more frequent  monitoring.

Legal Duty

• Employers must record all inspections and tests.
• Reports for LEV systems must be kept for at least 5 years.
• Failure to comply can lead to HSE enforcement, fines, or prosecution.

If you don’t have your COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) equipment inspected, the consequences can be serious both legally and practically.

Legal Consequences

• Breach of Law: COSHH requires employers to maintain and inspect control measures      (like LEV systems, PPE, RPE). Not doing so is a criminal offence.
• HSE Enforcement: The Health and Safety Executive can issue Improvement Notices      or Prohibition Notices, stopping work immediately.
• Fines & Prosecution: Courts can impose unlimited fines and even custodial      sentences for serious breaches.
• Insurance Issues: Insurers may refuse claims if inspection records are missing.

Safety Consequences

• Uncontrolled Exposure: Workers may be exposed to hazardous substances (dust, fumes, vapours, biological agents).
• Occupational Diseases: Risks include asthma, cancer, dermatitis, silicosis, or      infections.
• Accidents & Illness: Lack of inspection means faulty LEV, damaged PPE, or      ineffective RPE could go unnoticed, leading to harm.

Practical Impact

• Workplace Shutdowns: HSE can halt operations until compliance is proven.
• Reputation Damage: Non‑compliance harms trust with employees, clients, and regulators.
• Record Keeping: COSHH requires inspection records (e.g., LEV test reports) to be kept for at least 5 years.

HSG258 is the UK Health and Safety Executive’s guidance document titled “Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work: A Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)”. It explains how employers should design, use, and maintain LEV systems to protect workers from harmful airborne substances.

Key Points About HSG258

• Purpose:
  • Provides practical guidance on controlling exposure to airborne contaminants       (dust, fumes, vapours, gases, mist).
  • Ensures compliance with COSHH Regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).
• Scope:
  • Applies to workplaces using LEV systems (factories, workshops, laboratories,       healthcare, food production, welding, woodworking, etc.).
  • Covers both employers and suppliers of LEV equipment and Content:
  • Principles of designing effective LEV systems (hoods, ducts, air movers, filters).
  • Guidance on commissioning, testing, and maintaining LEV.
  • Roles and responsibilities of employers, suppliers, and competent persons.
  • Requirements for system documentation, marking defective equipment, and maintenance schedules.

 Here’s a structured case study on occupational dermatitis prosecutions in the UK — a common issue in food factories, chemical plants, and manufacturing where employers fail to control exposure to hazardous substances under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002). 

• Incident: Several workers developed occupational dermatitis after prolonged exposure to hazardous substances (e.g., cleaning chemicals, oils, resins, or wet work).
• Cause:
  
  • Lack of adequate risk assessments under COSHH.
  • Failure to provide protective gloves, barrier creams, or skin care regimes.
  • No health surveillance to detect early signs of dermatitis.

   

• Consequences:
  
• Workers suffered painful skin conditions, some requiring medical treatment and time off work.
• Employer prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• Legal Outcome:
  
• Company fined (cases range from £40,000 to £150,000 depending on severity and size of employer).
• Court highlighted failure to implement basic COSHH controls and protect worker health.

 Lessons Learned 

• COSHH compliance is essential: Employers must assess risks from hazardous substances, including cleaning agents, oils, dusts, and wet work.
• Health surveillance: Early detection of dermatitis prevents long-term harm.
• PPE and controls: Gloves, barrier creams, and proper washing facilities reduce exposure.
• Training: Workers must understand risks and safe handling procedures.

 Practical Takeaways for Safety Managers  

• Maintain a COSHH register of all hazardous substances used on site.
• Conduct risk assessments for skin exposure (wet work, chemicals, oils, dusts).
• Implement a skin care regime (barrier creams, moisturisers, handwashing protocols).
• Provide appropriate PPE (chemical-resistant gloves, aprons).
• Establish health surveillance (regular skin checks, occupational health reviews).
• Train staff to report early signs of dermatitis.

 In short: Occupational dermatitis is preventable but costly when ignored. This case shows how failing to comply with COSHH leads to worker harm and significant fines. For you, Lee, the key is embedding COSHH-driven risk assessments, PPE provision, and health surveillance into your compliance frameworks. 

 Oak Furniture Land’s parent company was fined £398,000 plus £94,904 in costs after inspectors found serious COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) failings at its Swindon workshop, including unregistered activities and poor chemical safety management 

• Company: Oak Furniture Land (parent company, JB Global Ltd)
• Location: Swindon workshop
• Date: March 2020 prosecution
• Fine: £398,000 + £94,904 costs
• Trigger: Complaint by a staff member → inspection by Swindon Borough Council
• Findings:
  
  • Workers preparing room divider sheets — an activity not registered for the site.
  • Poor management of hazardous substances under COSHH.
  • Lack of adequate risk assessments and controls for exposure.

 Outcome: Court imposed a significant fine, reflecting the seriousness of COSHH breaches in a large, high-profile retailer 

 Regulatory Context 

• COSHH 2002: Employers must assess risks from hazardous substances, implement controls, and provide health surveillance.
• Local Authority Enforcement: In this case, Swindon Borough Council acted after a worker complaint, showing how local regulators can intervene alongside HSE.
• Key Failings:
  
• Unregistered hazardous activity.
• No adequate risk assessments.
• Lack of protective measures for workers.

 Lessons Learned 

• Even large companies are vulnerable: High-profile retailers can face major fines if compliance frameworks are weak.
• Worker complaints matter: Regulators often act on employee concerns, so safety culture and communication are critical.
• COSHH compliance is non-negotiable: Every activity involving hazardous substances must be risk-assessed, registered, and controlled.

 Practical Takeaways for Safety Managers 

• Maintain a COSHH register of all hazardous activities and substances.
• Ensure risk assessments are updated whenever new processes are introduced.
• Provide PPE, training, and health surveillance for workers exposed to chemicals.
• Audit sites regularly to confirm activities match registered operations.
• Encourage staff to report unsafe practices early — and act on them before regulators intervene.