When this template fits
This is for the person tasked with producing the COSHH risk assessments themselves — the supervisor, SHEQ coordinator or competent person who has to work through every substance on a job and record a defensible assessment for each. It walks the standalone assessment workflow: pulling substances from Safety Data Sheets, identifying exposure routes, checking workplace exposure limits and selecting controls. Use it when the deliverable a client wants is the assessment process and its records, separate from any one task method statement.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Standalone COSHH risk assessment for a specific substance or task.
Sequence of works
- 1Identify the substance(s) to be assessed: obtain the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer or supplier before any use on site; confirm identity, composition, and hazard classification.
- 2Evaluate whether the substance can be eliminated from the task or substituted with a less hazardous alternative; document the decision with reasons and consult the competent person where uncertain.
- 3Determine the nature, level and duration of exposure: consider the task, quantities used, frequency, number of workers exposed, and any existing monitoring data; identify which WELs (8-hr TWA and STEL) apply from EH40.
- 4Assess existing controls and identify any additional engineering controls needed (LEV, ventilation, enclosed handling); plan for atmospheric monitoring if exposure levels cannot be reliably estimated.
- 5Select and specify required PPE (RPE type and filter, gloves, eye protection, coveralls) based on SDS Section 8 and the residual risk after engineering controls; arrange face-fit testing for RPE before work commences.
- 6Complete and record the written COSHH risk assessment, including: substance name and SDS date, hazards identified, risk rating, controls in hierarchy order, WELs, health surveillance requirements, and emergency arrangements.
- 7Brief all workers likely to be exposed: deliver a task-specific toolbox talk covering hazards, controls, correct use and limitations of PPE, spillage response, and emergency procedures. Obtain and record attendance.
- 8Implement the controls and commence work: verify LEV is operational, confirm PPE is correctly worn and maintained, and check that spill kits and emergency eyewash/first aid are in place at the point of use.
- 9Monitor, review and keep records: check controls are effective throughout the task; review the assessment if the substance, process or quantities change; retain COSHH records (including health surveillance) for the required period.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Inhalation of hazardous substance
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Review whether the task can be redesigned to remove the need for the hazardous substance entirely.
- › Replace the substance with a safer alternative (e.g. water-based instead of solvent-based, lower-hazard cleaning agent) that achieves the same outcome.
- › Provide LEV at the point of emission or ensure adequate general mechanical ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below the relevant workplace exposure limit (WEL).
- › Select RPE with adequate assigned protection factor for the substance and concentration (e.g. FFP3, half-mask with correct filter, or PAPR). RPE must be face-fit tested and subject to a maintenance regime.
Skin and eye contact with hazardous substance
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use enclosed, automated or pre-diluted dispensing to minimise open handling and potential splash.
- › Issue written safe handling instructions derived from the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and brief all operatives before first use.
- › Provide gloves of the correct material and breakthrough time for the substance (verified against SDS Section 8) and chemical splash goggles or face shield.
Ingestion of hazardous substances
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Enforce a site rule prohibiting eating, drinking or smoking in any area where hazardous substances are present or have been used.
- › Provide adequate handwashing facilities (soap, water, nail brushes) adjacent to the work area so workers can decontaminate before eating, drinking or leaving site.
Occupational asthma and sensitisation
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where feasible, replace known respiratory sensitisers with non-sensitising alternatives of equivalent performance.
- › Rotate tasks, limit the number of workers exposed, and schedule sensitiser use to off-peak or low-occupancy periods.
- › Enrol exposed workers in a health surveillance scheme (baseline lung function tests and periodic monitoring) so early sensitisation is detected promptly.
- › Provide appropriate RPE (minimum FFP3 or powered air-purifying respirator with P3 filter) for sensitising substances; ensure fit-testing and programme management.
Exposure exceeding workplace exposure limit
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Check EH40 for the substance; record the 8-hr TWA and STEL on the COSHH assessment form before any exposure begins.
- › Commission personal or static air sampling by a competent occupational hygienist to verify that controls are keeping exposures below relevant WELs.
- › Treat the COSHH assessment as a live document; review whenever the substance, process, quantities or controls change.
Inadequate or missing Safety Data Sheet
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Require suppliers to provide a REACH-compliant SDS (version dated within 3 years or updated on reformulation) before the substance is brought to site.
- › Keep SDS accessible at the point of use (physical or digital) and ensure all users have been briefed on relevant hazard and precaution sections.
Flammable or explosive vapour release
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where technically possible, replace low flash-point materials with water-based or high flash-point equivalents.
- › Prohibit naked flames and use non-sparking tools; provide ventilation to prevent vapour build-up above 25% of the lower explosive limit (LEL).
- › Keep only the minimum daily quantity at the point of use; store remainder in a dedicated, ventilated, fire-rated, locked store away from ignition sources.
Unsafe storage and spillage of hazardous substances
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Store oxidisers, flammables, corrosives and toxics in separate, clearly labelled, bunded locations following SDS storage guidance (Section 7).
- › Provide secondary containment (bunds or drip trays with minimum 110% capacity) and appropriate spill-absorption kits at storage and use locations.
- › Brief all users on the spill response procedure (stop source, contain, absorb, dispose as hazardous waste, report); ensure spill kits are sited at point of use.
Inadequate worker information, instruction and training
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Provide a task-specific COSHH briefing (toolbox talk or induction) to every worker likely to be exposed, in a language and format they understand, before work begins.
- › Ensure the COSHH assessment is prepared or reviewed by a person with sufficient knowledge of occupational hygiene and the substance's hazard profile; seek specialist advice where doubt exists.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Substance inventory drawn from procurement records
- › Safety Data Sheet library for all products
- › EH40/2005 workplace exposure limit tables
- › Per-substance assessment record template
- › Exposure monitoring equipment where the assessment calls for it
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ That there is a separate recorded assessment for each substance, not one blanket COSHH statement covering everything
- ✓ That WELs from EH40 are quoted for substances that have them, with a stated monitoring decision
- ✓ That process-generated substances such as dusts and fumes appear in the inventory, not only supplied products
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
What is a workplace exposure limit and where do I find it?
A workplace exposure limit (WEL) is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance, averaged over a reference period, to which workers may be exposed. WELs are published in HSE document EH40/2005 and are usually given as an 8-hour time-weighted average and, for some substances, a 15-minute short-term limit. Your COSHH assessment should record the relevant WEL for each substance that has one and explain how you keep exposure below it. Where a substance has no WEL, you still have to apply the principles of good control practice.
How often should a COSHH assessment be reviewed?
COSHH requires the assessment to be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid. In practice that means re-assessing if you change a product, supplier, quantity or work method, if monitoring shows controls are failing, or if there is a near miss or ill-health report. Many assessors also set a periodic review date, commonly annually, as a backstop. The trigger that matters most is change — a static assessment for a changed process is no longer suitable and sufficient.
What regulations apply to coshh risk assessment?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), COSHH 2002, reg 7 — prevention or control of exposure are the main ones. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.