COSHH Assessment for Cleaning Companies
Every cleaning company that uses chemicals — from multi-surface sprays to descalers and industrial degreasers — is legally required to assess the health risks under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Here's what a proper COSHH assessment covers and how to keep yours up to date without the paperwork headache.
What is a COSHH assessment?
A COSHH assessment is a written record showing you've identified the hazardous chemicals your cleaning staff work with, assessed the risk of harm, and put control measures in place to protect them — and anyone else affected by your work.
For cleaning companies, that typically means chemicals like bleach-based disinfectants, glass cleaners, oven degreasers, floor strippers and washroom descalers — each with its own hazards, exposure risks and safe handling requirements.
What a COSHH assessment for cleaning should include
- The full chemical register — every product your team uses, by name
- Hazard classification for each chemical (irritant, corrosive, harmful if inhaled, etc.)
- Who is at risk and how exposure could happen (skin contact, inhalation, splashing)
- Control measures — PPE, ventilation, safe storage and dilution instructions
- First aid and spillage procedures specific to each substance
- Review dates, so assessments stay current as products or tasks change
Common mistakes cleaning businesses make
- Copying a generic template that doesn't list the actual chemicals used on site
- Leaving assessments unreviewed for years after new products are introduced
- Storing COSHH sheets in a folder nobody can find when a client or inspector asks
- Missing safety data sheet (SDS) references for each chemical
Generate yours in minutes
Fovexa Compliance is the Digital Compliance Manager built for UK cleaning companies. Add your chemicals to your register once, and it generates a professional, COSHH 2002–aligned assessment for each one — ready to store, download and show a client or auditor whenever it's needed.
Build your COSHH chemical register free
Add your first chemical and generate a professional COSHH assessment in minutes — no card required to start.