If you work with chemicals, fuel or gas, you will see COSHH on signs, labels and risk assessments. This guide explains what COSHH stands for, what the law requires and what each hazard symbol means. You can also find storage advice to help keep your workplace compliant.
What does COSHH stand for in health and safety?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The COSHH Regulations 2002 protect workers from injury and ill health when they handle certain substances. These rules replaced the 1999 regulations, and later amendments have refined them. A breach can lead to an unlimited fine. In serious cases, it can also lead to up to two years in prison.
For a wider look at the substances involved, read our guide to what a chemical hazard is.
What must employers do under COSHH?
COSHH is the law that tells employers to control exposure to hazardous substances. To prevent or reduce risk, employers need to:
- Identify potential health hazards.
- Carry out risk assessments to decide how to prevent harm.
- Put control measures in place to reduce exposure.
- Make sure everyone uses safety measures properly.
- Keep control measures in good working order.
- Give employees information, instruction and training.
- Monitor health and carry out health surveillance where necessary.
- Set up emergency plans.
Because many businesses use or create harmful substances, these duties apply to a wide range of workplaces.
What is a COSHH risk assessment?
A COSHH assessment looks at the hazards and risks that substances create in your specific workplace. It asks questions such as:
- Where could people be exposed to substances that might harm health?
- In what way are the substances harmful?
- Which jobs or tasks lead to exposure?
- Are there any areas of concern?
As a result, you can decide which controls and storage you need. The HSE publishes guidance on how to complete a COSHH risk assessment.
What does COSHH cover?
COSHH covers many forms of hazardous substance. Look out for:
- Chemicals, including cleaning products.
- Gases and asphyxiating gases.
- Fumes.
- Dusts.
- Vapours.
- Mists.
- Nanotechnology.
- Biological agents, such as the germs that cause leptospirosis or legionnaires' disease.
However, COSHH does not cover lead, asbestos or radioactive substances. Each of these has its own specific regulations.
What are the COSHH symbols and their meanings?
COSHH symbols are the hazard pictograms you see on containers, cylinders and storage units. They come from the GB CLP Regulation, which sets how hazardous products are classified and labelled. COSHH is the law that requires you to control the risks these symbols warn about. In total, there are nine main symbols.
Explosive (exploding bomb)
The exploding bomb symbol warns that a substance could explode. This can happen during a fire, or when the substance reacts with another substance or an outside force. You will also often see it on containers, canisters and drums that hold volatile substances.
Flammable (flame)
The flame symbol shows that a substance can catch fire. However, it does not always mean the substance is explosive. Fuel, many cleaning products, flammable aerosols and some metals, such as magnesium, all carry it. For storage advice, read our guide to how to store flammable liquids.
Gas under pressure (gas cylinder)
The gas cylinder symbol warns of gas stored under pressure. You will see it on cylinders, fire extinguishers and some laboratory equipment. The gas may also be explosive, flammable or harmful to health. Compressed gas can be dangerous in an accident, so read about gas cylinder hazards before you store it.
Dangerous to the environment (dead tree and fish)
A dead fish and a tree warn that a substance can harm wildlife, plants and water. For example, some fuels, oils and pesticides carry it. Because of this, you should dispose of them correctly and store them with spill protection, such as bunded storage.
Toxic (skull and crossbones)
The skull and crossbones means a substance can harm health, sometimes at very low levels of exposure. Toxic substances can be fatal if swallowed, breathed in or absorbed through the skin. Therefore, take major safety precautions before you handle anything with this symbol.
Oxidising (flame over a circle)
A flame over a circle means a substance is oxidising. Oxidising substances can start a fire or make an existing fire burn harder. For this reason, keep them away from flammable materials. In fact, oxygen itself carries this symbol.
Corrosive (liquid pouring onto a hand and surface)
This symbol shows liquid pouring onto a hand and a surface. It warns that a substance can damage skin, metal and other materials. For example, strong acids and powerful cleaning products carry it. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when you handle them. Read our guide to storing acids safely for more detail.
Serious health hazard (human outline with a star)
A human outline with a star on the chest signals a serious long-term health hazard. For example, it covers substances that can cause cancer, genetic damage, reproductive harm, or respiratory and organ damage. As a result, you will find it on some of the harshest chemicals.
Caution (exclamation mark)
The exclamation mark warns of a hazard that is less severe but still harmful. For example, a substance with this symbol may irritate the skin, eyes or airways, or trigger an allergic reaction. You will also see it on many aerosols and cleaning products.
Where you will see COSHH symbols
You will see COSHH symbols on almost anything that contains hazardous substances. This includes gas cylinders, chemical containers, fuel drums and cleaning products. Similarly, storage units for hazardous substances often carry them. Many people also ask whether a COSHH cupboard has to be yellow. Our guide to storage requirements for hazardous chemicals explains what to look for.
Stay COSHH compliant with quality storage
We offer a wide range of COSHH-compliant storage, from COSHH storage cabinets to bunded units and gas cylinder cages. If you want help choosing the right solution, get in touch with our team. We can also arrange a free site visit.
