Published 23 May 2023
What is a COSHH Assessment Template?
A COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessment template is a tool that provides businesses with a framework for conducting COSHH assessments. This template allows them to identify hazardous substances present in their operations, evaluate the risks associated with them, and establish control measures to manage these risks.
HSE COSHH Assessment Template
This COSHH assessment template was based on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and was converted using SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor).
- List chemical hazards and substances present in the workplace. Provide details of their usage and the people who may be exposed.
- Record information on how the substance could cause harm and how much of the substance will be used for the job. Record Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) and emergency procedures set by the management.
- Complete the information about the methods of prevention or control of exposure.
- Include an overall rating of the assessment and affix a digital signature to validate the audit.
In this article
- What is a COSHH Assessment?
- Why Should You Perform This Process?
- Advantages of Using a Template for COSHH Assessments
- 6 Essential Elements of a COSHH Assessment Template
- How to Use This Template
- FAQs About COSHH Assessment
- How to Conduct a COSHH Assessment with SafetyCulture Templates & Tools
- Top COSHH Assessment Templates
What is a COSHH Assessment?
A COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Assessment, or COSHH Risk Assessment, is a health and safety evaluation process and document. It aims to identify and evaluate hazards and risks from hazardous substances used in the workplace or produced during operational processes and devise control measures to reduce or eliminate identified risks.
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires a COSHH assessment as a standard safety measure to protect employees from harmful substances and avoid adverse health effects.
Why Should You Perform This Process?
Exposure to chemical substances is a common occupational hazard. An HSE report found 6,000 self-reported cases of skin disease from 2015 to 2018 due to hazardous substance exposure. Skin disease from chemical exposure has profound detrimental effects on workers’ daily activities, ability to work, and self-image. Occupations most affected include metalworkers, machine operators, and other industrial workers dealing with hazardous substances. Performing COSHH assessments can ensure a safer workspace that can help boost employee productivity and morale.
Advantages of Using a Template for COSHH Assessments
COSHH assessments are crucial for identifying hazards associated with hazardous substances. This audit can, however, be time-consuming and complex if you lack the necessary expertise and knowledge. In those situations, a COSHH assessment template can be incredibly useful.
Using a COSHH assessment template can help you:
- Save time – With a template, you no longer have to spend hours creating a new file from scratch, as it already covers the necessary information and sections for a COSHH assessment. Instead, you simply need to record the specific details about your workplace and the hazardous substances you use or handle.
- Improve accuracy – Apart from speeding up the process, using a template also reduces the risk of overlooking crucial information or sections in the assessment. Throughout this document, prompts or questions help you identify all potential hazards, ensuring that all sections are completed as required.
- Ensure consistency – The standardized format of these templates creates a structure for COSHH assessments, making them more systematic and organized. This way, it becomes easier to determine anything that stands out or common themes/trends across assessments.
6 Essential Elements of a COSHH Assessment Template
An efficient COSHH assessment should document these 6 essential elements:
- Detailed listing of hazardous substances present in the workplace
- Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) and health risks
- Control measures to be implemented (PPE, First Aid Measures)
- Information on proper storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals
- Authorization by employer or supervisor
How to Use This Template
Using a COSHH assessment template is easy once you have your template ready. Below is a step-by-step guide:
1. Identify existing hazardous substances.
Start filling out the COSHH assessment template by identifying all hazardous substances at work, such as chemicals, dust, fumes, and biological agents. Even small amounts of hazardous materials pose a threat, so it is crucial to identify them comprehensively.
2. Assess the risks.
After identifying all hazardous substances, the next step is evaluating their risks. This involves considering factors like potential exposure, toxicity, and likelihood of harm associated with each substance. Apart from considering the work being done by workers, the assessment should also look at their specific tasks and activities, since these can affect the risk level.
3. Implement controls.
Using the results of the risk assessment, the team can develop and implement controls to manage or eliminate the identified risks, such as but not limited to:
- Using personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Changing work practices or procedures
- Modifying the physical environment
4. Review and revise.
Lastly, COSHH assessments are not one-off events. Therefore, they must be reviewed and revised regularly to ensure they remain valid and effective. These revisions can happen due to new hazardous substances in the workplace or changes in work procedures.
FAQs About COSHH Assessment
While COSHH assessment specifically focuses on the risks associated with hazardous substances such as chemicals, a risk assessment is a more general process that identifies and evaluates potential hazards in the workplace. In other words, COSHH assessments can essentially be classified as a type of risk assessment aiming to eliminate workplace risks.
Several factors can trigger a COSHH assessment, such as changes in the hazardous substances being used, modifications in how the substances are handled, the introduction of new work processes or equipment, or specific incidents involving hazardous substances.
As a guideline, it is recommended that COSHH assessments are reviewed at least once every 12 months. However, if there’s an incident or significant change that can impact how substances are handled, they should be reviewed immediately to ensure they remain up-to-date and effective.
How to Conduct a COSHH Assessment with SafetyCulture Templates & Tools
Carrying out a COSHH assessment can be a regulatory burden for inspectors because of the large amount of paperwork involved. Using mobile inspection software like SafetyCulture can help your business perform more effective COSHH assessments to prevent injuries or any adverse health effects from harmful chemicals.
SafetyCulture is the world’s most powerful inspection app and is used to perform paperless evaluations, assessments, and inspections. With this mobile-first platform, you can:
- Generate comprehensive reports of your COSHH assessments in PDF, Excel, Web, and other formats.
- Electronically share these reports using your mobile device while on-site.
- Proactively resolve identified risks through corrective actions, including a description of the issue and photographic evidence.
- Analyze recurring failed items and trends to develop long-term risk control plans.
- Access a digital repository of hazards, associated control measures, and other crucial information from previous assessments.
Download this collection of ready-to-use COSHH assessment templates referencing HSE online sources and converted using SafetyCulture.
Top COSHH Assessment Templates
COSHH Risk Assessment Template
This COSHH risk assessment template can be used to prevent serious illnesses and health problems by controlling exposure to hazardous substances. Evaluate hazards associated with the activity, record the control measures, and take note of first aid measures in case of an emergency. Then, document the means of disposing of hazardous wastes and provide a risk rating after following the control measures. Upon completion, automatically generate a COSHH risk assessment report in PDF, Web, and other formats when on-site.
COSHH Register Template
This COSHH Register Template can be used to note the chemical substances used in the workplace, their storage location, and their MSDS location.
Chemical Handling, Storage, and Disposal Checklist
This self-inspection checklist can be used as a safety precaution before using and handling chemical substances at work. Ensure that the staff is trained and fully equipped before performing the task. Inspect chemical containers for leakage, damage, or dents. Also, check if the work area has a proper ventilation system installed.
Safety Data Sheet Template
This safety data sheet template provides a framework for informing workers of the properties, hazards, and safe use of chemicals in occupational settings. Chemical manufacturers can use this template to write and update safety data sheets. Meanwhile, workers can use it as a safety guide when handling hazardous chemicals.