Newcastle University Safety Office

COSHH Risk Assessment

This page provides practical advice and Guidance on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances hazardous to health. This enables employers to prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances by:

  • finding out what the health hazards are
  • deciding how to prevent harm to health 
  • providing control measures to reduce harm to health
  • making sure they are used
  • keeping all control measures in good working order
  • providing information, instruction and training for employees and others
  • providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases
  • planning for emergencies

A COSHH risk assessment is required by law for the possession or use of hazardous substances. The COSHH risk assessment form should be used for the assessment of risk for all hazardous substances except biological hazards. The BioCOSHH risk assessment form should be used for the assessment of risk for biological hazards. Managers and principal investigators are responsible for COSHH risk assessments.

Guide to COSHH Risk Assessment

HSE have provided a useful website aimed at introducing COSHH, this site provides information on guidance on COSHH in a user friendly manner. This site is called: -

COSHH Essentials


Before completing a COSHH form it is advised that you consult the following COSHH guidance document. This document will cover all aspects of the COSHH form and provide active links to other information sources.

Additional information can be obtained from the HSE's comprehensive COSHH guidance document Control of substances hazardous to health (Fifth edition)


COSHH Risk Assessment Form

The following link contains the Newcastle University COSHH risk assessment form as a downloadable Word file

COSHH Risk Assessment Form - Hazardous Substances