COSHH Essentials

COSHH Essentials sets out basic advice on what to do to control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. It takes the form of straightforward advice in 'factsheets' called 'control guidance sheets'. There are two types of sheets, industry-specific 'direct advice sheets' and 'generic control guidance sheets'.

Direct advice sheets

First check the direct advice sheets[26] listed by industry to see if there are any direct advice sheets for tasks or processes in your industry.

COSHH e-tool

When using the COSHH e-tool[27] you will be prompted by questions to enter some basic information about the substance you are using, before being directed to the most appropriate generic control guidance sheet for you.

Frequently asked questions

Link URLs in this page

  1. COSHH Essentialshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/index.htm
  2. Overview - Direct advice sheetshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/index.htm
  3. Agriculture (Farming)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/agriculture.htm
  4. Flour (Bakers and millers)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/baking.htm
  5. Metalworking fluidshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/metalworking-fluids.htm
  6. Microelectronicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/microelectronics.htm
  7. Motor Vehicle Repairhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/mvr.htm
  8. Offshorehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/offshore.htm
  9. Printinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/printing.htm
  10. RPEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/respiratory-protective-equipment.htm
  11. Rubberhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/rubber.htm
  12. Service & Retailhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/service-retail.htm
  13. Overview - Silicahttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/silica.htm
  14. Brick and tilehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/brick-tile-silica.htm
  15. Ceramicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/ceramics-silica.htm
  16. Constructionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/construction-silica.htm
  17. Foundryhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/foundry.htm
  18. Manufacturinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/manufacturing-silica.htm
  19. Quarrieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/quarries-silica.htm
  20. Stoneworkershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/stonemasons.htm
  21. Skin or eye contacthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/skin-eye-contact.htm
  22. Weldinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/welding.htm
  23. Woodworkinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/woodworking.htm
  24. Dichloromethane (DCM)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/dichloromethane.htm
  25. Frequently asked questionshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm
  26. direct advice sheetshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/index.htm
  27. COSHH e-toolhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/coshh-tool.htm
  28. Why does COSHH essentials not list all of the R phrases/H statements that are on my Safety Data Sheet (SDS)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm#safety-data-sheet
  29. I can't find my safety data sheet. What should I do?https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm#safety-data-sheet2
  30. I have just completed COSHH essentials, is this sufficient to use as my COSHH assessment?https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/faq.htm#coshh-essentials
  31. Some of the information I need is missing from my safety data sheet. What should I do?https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm#missing-information
  32. There isn't a boiling point in the safety data sheet?https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm#no-boiling-point
  33. Why can't I mix a liquid with a solid?https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm#why-cant-i-mix-a-liquid

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

RPE
Respiratory Protective Equipment

Is this page useful?

2024-12-20