COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

COSHH requires employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances such as dusts, chemicals, and fumes to protect workers' health.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, known as COSHH, require employers to control exposure to substances that can harm health, including chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, and biological agents. On construction sites this commonly covers materials such as silica dust, cement, solvents, and adhesives. The regulations are enforced by the HSE.

COSHH requires a specific assessment of the risks from hazardous substances, the selection of controls following the hierarchy (elimination and engineering controls before PPE), and steps to ensure controls are used and maintained. Where needed, it also requires health surveillance and monitoring of exposure.

A COSHH assessment should draw on safety data sheets for the products in use and be communicated to the workers affected. Keeping COSHH assessments current as materials change is an important part of managing occupational health on site.