COSHH Assessments Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Expert COSHH assessments for every workplace. We identify hazardous substances, assess exposure routes, evaluate risks against Workplace Exposure Limits and recommend practical control measures — from LEV design to RPE selection and health surveillance programmes.
COSHH Services We Provide
Comprehensive COSHH compliance from substance inventory to health surveillance.
COSHH Risk Assessments
Full assessment of every hazardous substance — identification, classification, exposure route analysis, risk evaluation against WELs and documented control measure recommendations. Site-specific, not templates.
Safety Data Sheet Review
Review and interpretation of manufacturer SDSs for all substances. Identify gaps in SDS information, ensure you have data needed for compliant assessments and maintain your SDS library.
LEV Assessment & Design
Assessment of local exhaust ventilation systems, specification for new LEV installations, coordination of LEV examination and testing under COSHH Regulation 9. Spray booths, fume cupboards, dust extraction.
RPE Selection & Fit Testing
Selection of appropriate respiratory protective equipment based on substance, exposure and task. Face fit testing coordination ensuring RPE provides the stated protection factor.
Health Surveillance
Where residual risk exists, we develop health surveillance programmes — skin checks for dermatitis, lung function for respiratory sensitisers, biological monitoring for specific substances.
Substitution & Elimination
Opportunities to eliminate hazardous substances or substitute safer alternatives. The hierarchy of control starts with elimination — we identify where this is reasonably practicable.
COSHH Training
Staff training on substance identification, reading SDSs, pictograms, PPE use, exposure symptoms, spill procedures and reporting. Training courses →
Substance Inventory
Complete hazardous substance register — what you have, where it's stored, who uses it, quantities and which assessments apply. The foundation of COSHH compliance.
Risk Assessments for Your Sector
Every industry has different hazards. We tailor every assessment to your specific sector and operations.
Factories & Warehousing
Machinery, forklift, racking, noiseTransport & Logistics
Depot safety, loading bays, vehiclesConstruction
CDM, excavations, heights, demolitionSchools & Education
Classrooms, labs, playgrounds, tripsCare & Healthcare
Patient handling, clinical, infectionChemical
Process safety, COSHH, DSEARHospitality
Kitchens, fire, slips, public safetySMEs & Offices
DSE, fire, general workplaceCharities
Events, lone working, volunteersHow We Carry Out a Risk Assessment
Substance Inventory
Complete inventory of every hazardous substance on site — raw materials, products, cleaning chemicals, maintenance substances, waste streams. Collect and review all safety data sheets.
Exposure Assessment
For each substance: who is exposed, by what route, for how long, at what concentration. Evaluate against WELs and assess whether current controls are adequate.
Control Recommendations
Where risks aren't adequately controlled: elimination, substitution, engineering controls (LEV, containment), PPE, safe handling procedures and health surveillance recommendations.
Documentation
Comprehensive COSHH assessment reports for every substance, organised by department. Clear recommendations with priority ratings. Audit-ready for HSE.
Review & Monitoring
Scheduled reviews when substances or processes change. Annual formal review. Retained clients receive ongoing COSHH compliance monitoring.
COSHH Assessments FAQ
What substances need a COSHH assessment?
Any substance that could harm health — chemicals, paints, adhesives, solvents, cleaning products, dusts (wood, flour, silica, metal), fumes (welding, soldering), biological agents and any substance with a WEL or hazard classification. If it has a hazard pictogram, it needs assessing. Even common substances like bleach, white spirit and cement require COSHH assessments.
How often should COSHH assessments be reviewed?
Whenever substances, processes, equipment or quantities change. After any exposure incident. Best practice is annual formal review. RADCaT provides scheduled review visits for retained clients.
What is a Workplace Exposure Limit?
The maximum concentration of an airborne substance averaged over 8 hours or 15 minutes, listed in HSE publication EH40. Your assessment must evaluate whether exposure could exceed the WEL and implement controls to ensure it doesn't.
Do offices need COSHH assessments?
Yes — for cleaning chemicals, printer toner, correction fluid and any other hazardous substance. Even low-risk workplaces typically have several substances requiring assessment.
What is LEV and do I need it?
Local Exhaust Ventilation captures airborne contaminants at source. Required where other controls can't adequately reduce exposure. Must be examined every 14 months under COSHH Regulation 9.
Can you assess my whole site?
Yes. We work systematically through your facility, department by department. Bundled site assessments offer significant savings over individual assessments.
How much does a COSHH assessment cost?
Fixed-price quotes based on number of substances and complexity. Bundled packages for multi-substance sites. Contact us for a free consultation.
Need a COSHH Assessment?
Tell us what substances you work with and we'll provide a clear, no-obligation quote.