Published 14 Jul 2023
What is a COSHH Register Template?
A Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) register template is a preformatted and reproducible document that can help centralize your records of all hazardous substances present in your workplace. It details instructions on how to handle them safely as well as the risks associated with them.
In this article
- Importance and Benefits
- What to Include in a COSHH Register Template
- Common Uses for a COSHH Register Template
- FAQs about COSHH Register Templates
- Keep Your Workplace Safe from Hazardous Substances with SafetyCulture
- Related COSHH Register Templates
Importance and Benefits
Substances such as dust, gases, fumes, liquids, gels, and powders that can come into contact with human skin can easily cause harm, infection, and allergies. For this reason, they need to be controlled and regulated in their use.
One way to do this is through the use of a COSHH register template. The primary purpose of this template is to ensure the health and safety of workers by minimizing the risks associated with hazardous substances easily. It is also based on the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) COSHH regulations, which detail the necessary controls to be used for different harmful materials that people are exposed to in different workplaces, thus able to help with complying with safety standards.
Additionally, a COSHH register template serves as a valuable reference for risk assessments and incident investigations. In the event of an accident or near-miss involving hazardous substances, the register can aid in identifying the cause, evaluating the adequacy of control measures, and implementing corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. In a templated format, a COSHH register is easier to reproduce and acts as a comprehensive record that enables organizations to continuously improve their safety protocols and protect their workforce.
Using a COSHH register template also helps streamline communication and transparency in the workplace. If disseminated properly, it can help provide essential information to employees, supervisors, and health and safety professionals regarding the necessary precautions to take for each hazardous substance. This ensures that everyone is aware of the potential dangers and can take appropriate measures to protect oneself and one another.
What to Include in a COSHH Register Template
Following the HSE’s regulations, a COSHH register template should ideally contain fields for the following:
- Location of workplace
- Name of the substance to be used
- Storage location of the substance
- Location or details of hazard sheets related to substance
- Name of person or people preparing the template
For a more streamlined documentation process, a COSHH register template can have these fields repeated for easier identification, or the document itself can be reproduced multiple times as needed. It would be best to create and manage yours on a digital platform to do so, as this way, you can reduce paper waste and be assured your files are all in one place, easily accessible.
Here is a COSHH register template in use for your reference:
Common Uses for a COSHH Register Template
According to the UK HSE, a COSHH register template form is often used for the following industries:
- Paving companies and similar service providers
- Die-casting providers and other similar companies
- Electronics
- Fruit farms
- Warehousing
- Feed mills
- DIY shops, workshops, and similar service providers
- Engineering
- Gardening
- Culinary
FAQs about COSHH Register Templates
A COSHH register template is for listing down identified safety risks in the workplace. On the other hand, a COSHH risk assessment template is for creating and managing a process or framework for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing these risks.
The UK HSE recommends that employers review their COSHH registers and other related forms regularly to ensure it is kept updated. This can be done annually, depending on the industry and the needs of your business.
However, if there is reason to believe that your COSHH register needs to be updated, it should be done immediately. Common reasons for this include a change in management, a change in materials being used and handled, and newly identified risks.
The term COSHH was coined in the UK and is often associated with it, but it has similarities with laws from other regions around the world under different circumstances and names. For example, the US Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has similar regulations for controlling hazardous substances, and so do other countries.
Keep Your Workplace Safe from Hazardous Substances with SafetyCulture
Managing and documenting all hazardous substances in your workplace can be a very tiring and complicated process, hence the need for COSHH register templates. You can also further increase productivity and better streamline processes by going digital.
Effectively promote workplace safety and document hazardous substances with a digital platform like SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor), a mobile-ready application that can help you streamline your risk identification, assessment, and mitigation plans. With SafetyCulture, you can manage records without needing physical storage spaces, anytime and anywhere.
To get started with SafetyCulture, all you need to do is download a free COSHH register template from the Public Library and edit it as you see fit, or create your own register template from scratch if you prefer. All forms you make and fill up will then be stored in the cloud for easy access at all times, with each file having modifiable access controls to ensure security.
SafetyCulture also allows you to do the following:
- Report identified issues with hazardous substances
- Create and assign corrective actions for each identified problem
- Disseminate information to your team or organization immediately through Heads Up
- Train employees on proper COSHH policies and practices
- Monitor, manage, and track assets as they are used
- Insure employees with SafetyCulture Care and guarantee their safety from work-related hazards
- Keep lone workers safe with SHEQSY by SafetyCulture
- Export COSHH register templates in PDF, Word, Weblink, and Excel formats
Related COSHH Register Templates
COSHH Risk Assessment Template
Use this template to help prevent serious illnesses and health problems and control exposure to hazardous substances. Evaluate hazards associated with certain tasks, record their respective 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.
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. With this, you can ensure that the staff is trained and fully equipped before performing the task.
OSHA Hazardous Chemical Exposure Checklist
Use this OSHA self-inspection Hazardous Chemical Exposure checklist can as a safety precaution before handling chemical substances. Check chemical containers for leakage, damage, or dents and if the work area has a proper ventilation system installed.
