What Is a COSHH Assessment?

A COSHH assessment identifies and controls health risks from hazardous substances under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Employers must assess exposure to any substance that could harm health and put in place appropriate control measures before work begins.

Common Construction Substances Requiring COSHH Assessment

  • Silica dust — from cutting, drilling, grinding, or sanding concrete, stone, bricks, or mortar
  • Cement — cement dust and wet cement causing skin sensitisation and dermatitis
  • Wood dust — hardwood and softwood dust from cutting and sanding
  • Isocyanates — in spray paints, foam insulation, and PU flooring systems; a respiratory sensitiser
  • Welding fume — metal fume including manganese and hexavalent chromium; Class A carcinogen since 2019
  • Lead — in pre-1978 paint, lead sheet roofing and flashing, and lead pipes
  • Solvents — in adhesives, paints, sealants, and cleaning products

What Does a COSHH Assessment Cover?

  1. Substance identification — what the substance is, its form (dust, vapour, liquid), and which Safety Data Sheet applies
  2. Who is at risk — operatives directly using the substance, and others in the area
  3. Route of exposure — inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or injection
  4. Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) — HSE-set limits from EH40 for airborne substances
  5. Control measures — following the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, LEV/engineering, administrative, RPE
  6. Emergency arrangements — spillage response, first aid for exposure, fire/explosion risk

How COSHH Links to RAMS

COSHH assessments are typically referenced within RAMS under the Substances section. The RAMS sets out which substances are used in the work activity; the COSHH assessment provides the detailed substance-level risk assessment. A well-prepared RAMS package includes both documents together.

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