What is a ‘COSHH’ assessment?

A 'COSHH' assessment stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessment. This type of assessment is specifically designed to evaluate the risks associated with substances that may be harmful to health in the workplace, particularly chemicals. The purpose of a COSHH assessment is to identify potential hazards, assess the level of risk, implement appropriate control measures, and ensure that employees are protected from exposure to harmful substances.

Conducting a COSHH assessment involves understanding the types of hazardous substances present, determining how they are used, identifying the potential routes of exposure (such as inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion), and evaluating the effectiveness of existing control measures. This tailored approach is essential for ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and protecting workers from adverse health effects related to hazardous substances.

Other choices, while relevant to different aspects of workplace safety, do not pertain to the specific assessment of chemical risks. A risk assessment for physical hazards addresses dangers related to equipment or physical injuries, a financial risk assessment focuses on monetary risks potentially affecting an organization, and a procedure to manage workplace ergonomics deals with preventing musculoskeletal disorders resulting from poor workstation design or repetitive tasks. Each of these addresses unique areas of concern but does not encompass the comprehensive evaluation of chemical hazards that COS