Hazardous Substances at Work

The COSHH Regulations 1999 provide a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances.

The substances may be used directly in the work (e.g. cleaning chemicals, chemical reagents) or may arise from the work (e.g. dusts, fumes and waste products).

COSHH lays down a sensible step-by-step approach to the necessary precautions.

COSHH applies to virtually all substances hazardous to health. Exceptions include asbestos and lead (which have their own regulations) and substances which are hazardous only because they are radioactive, asphyxiants, at high pressure/temperature or have explosive/flammable properties.

Further information

You can get the leaflet 'COSHH: A brief guide to the Regulations' from the Health and Safety Executive website - see publications.

Who to contact

Health and Safety
Consumer Protection
2 Herne Hill Road
London
SE24 0AU
Phone: 020 7926 6109
Fax: 020 7926 6150
Email: healthandsafety@lambeth.gov.uk