Control of Substances Hazardous To Health (COSHH)
Course Overview
Under the terms of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers are required to ensure the safety of workers when they are using substances that may harm their wellbeing.
This course covers what you need to know about the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It’s aimed at anyone who is exposed to Substances Hazardous to Health at work, as well as line managers with responsibility for such people.
Course Content
If your role, or any role you manage, involves working with substances that could harm health, such as cleaning chemicals, dust, fumes, solvents or biological agents, you need COSHH training. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 place a legal duty on employers to ensure the safety of workers exposed to these substances.
Our COSHH awareness course online covers what you need to know about the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, and is aimed at anyone exposed to hazardous substances at work, as well as line managers responsible for those staff. The course runs for 125 minutes and costs £25.00 +VAT, with a certificate valid for 3 years on completion.
Note on accreditation: [PLACEHOLDER: this course's accrediting or awarding body isn't currently stated on the live page, unlike our other e-learning courses, which name CPD, IIRSM, IOSH or Gatehouse Awards. Recommend confirming this with the course catalogue owner before this page goes live, since it's the kind of detail buyers actively check before booking.]
### Course Content
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent ill health. This sits alongside the broader duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Non-compliance can result in serious health consequences for staff and enforcement action against the business.
Hazardous substances aren't limited to obvious chemicals. The course covers the full range, including:
- Chemicals and cleaning products
- Dusts, including wood and silica dust
- Fumes and vapours
- Biological agents, such as bacteria and mould
- Gases and asphyxiating substances
Every hazardous substance used at work should come with clear labelling and a safety data sheet (SDS) explaining its risks and how to handle it safely. The course teaches how to recognise the standard hazard warning symbols (such as corrosive, toxic and flammable pictograms) and how to read an SDS to understand exposure limits, handling instructions and emergency procedures.
Before hazardous substances are used, employers must carry out a COSHH assessment. The course walks through the assessment process step by step, covering:
1. Identifying the hazardous substances present in the workplace
2. Assessing the risks these substances pose to health
3. Deciding what precautions are needed
4. Preventing or adequately controlling exposure
5. Ensuring control measures are used and maintained
6. Monitoring exposure where necessary
7. Carrying out appropriate health surveillance
8. Preparing plans and procedures for accidents, incidents and emergencies
Hazardous substances can enter the body in several ways, including inhalation, skin contact, ingestion and injection. The course covers how each exposure route works and the range of health conditions that can result, from short-term irritation to long-term respiratory or skin conditions, so staff understand why control measures matter, not just what they are.
Where exposure can't be eliminated through other controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) is often the last line of defence. The course covers how to select the right PPE for the substance and task, such as gloves, respiratory protection or eye protection, and how to store, maintain and dispose of both PPE and hazardous waste safely and in line with COSHH requirements.
Anyone who works with, or near, hazardous substances needs this training, alongside supervisors and managers responsible for their safety. This spans cleaning and facilities teams, construction and manufacturing staff, laboratory and healthcare workers, and anyone handling chemicals as part of their role.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to:
- Understand what qualifies as a hazardous substance and how it can enter the body
- Recognise hazard warning symbols and interpret safety data sheets
- Understand the 8-step COSHH assessment process
- Select and use appropriate PPE
- Follow correct procedures for the safe storage and disposal of hazardous substances
Course Duration
125 mins
Course Certification
Successful candidates will receive a certificate, valid for 3 years.
