COSHH Assessment Template for Cleaning Companies
Cleaning businesses use hazardous substances every single day — from bleach and degreasers to floor strippers and sanitisers. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), you must assess the risks these chemicals pose and put controls in place. This guide explains exactly what a compliant COSHH assessment includes and how to build one for your cleaning business.
What is a COSHH assessment?
A COSHH assessment is a documented evaluation of the hazardous substances your staff are exposed to, the risks they present, and the measures you take to control those risks. For cleaning companies, this covers virtually every product on your trolley.
COSHH assessments are a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have. If the HSE or a client audits your business, a well-organised set of COSHH assessments is one of the first things they'll ask to see.
What a cleaning COSHH assessment must include
- The name of the chemical or product and its supplier
- The hazards it presents (from the safety data sheet)
- Who could be harmed and how — staff, clients, the public
- The risk level: low, medium or high
- Control measures to reduce exposure
- The personal protective equipment (PPE) required
- Safe storage location and handling instructions
- The date of assessment and the next review date
How to complete a COSHH assessment for cleaning chemicals
Start with the safety data sheet (SDS) supplied with each product — this lists the hazards and recommended precautions. Record the substance, its hazards and who is at risk.
Then decide on control measures: dilution, ventilation, gloves, eye protection, safe storage away from food and out of reach of the public. Assign a risk level and set a review date. Higher-risk products should be reviewed more frequently — every three months for high risk, six months for medium and annually for low.
Keep your COSHH assessments up to date
COSHH assessments aren't a one-off exercise. Review them whenever you change products, introduce a new task, or if there's an incident. A missed review date is one of the most common compliance gaps cleaning contractors have when they go for tenders.
Generate COSHH assessments automatically
Log your cleaning chemicals once and Fovexa creates a professional UK COSHH assessment for each one — with review dates tracked on your calendar. Start free.