🧴 What Is COSHH and Does It Apply to Your Shop, Salon, or Small Business?

If you’ve ever cleaned your own retail space, run a hair salon, or handled paints, sprays, or disinfectants — you’ve probably used substances that fall under COSHH.

But what is it, and do you really need a COSHH risk assessment if you're a small business?

✅ What Is COSHH?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. It’s the UK law that requires you to control substances that could harm health.

If you use ANY chemicals — from bleach to hairspray to wood varnish — you’re likely affected by COSHH.

💡 Common Examples in Small Businesses

Even if you're a solo trader or have fewer than five employees, COSHH applies if you use:

• Cleaning sprays, disinfectants, bleach

• Hair dyes, nail polish remover, salon products

• Paints, adhesives, glues, resins

• Dusts, fumes, or powders in workshops or studios

• Hand gels and sanitisers in retail spaces

  
  

🧾 What Are You Supposed to Do?

If you're using these types of products in your workplace, you need to:

1. Identify the hazardous substances (check labels, data sheets)

2. Assess the risks to people (including staff, customers, or cleaners)

3. Control the risk with safe storage, PPE, ventilation, etc.

4. Record your findings (if you have 5+ staff — or just for peace of mind)

   
   

🧠 But I Just Clean My Own Shop?

Even if you’re a one-person team, COSHH still applies.

Let’s say you mop your own floors or wipe down salon chairs with disinfectant:

• You’re still exposed to chemicals that can cause eye irritation, skin problems, or respiratory issues

• A simple COSHH assessment helps show you’ve thought it through and are using the product safely

🛠️ Make It Easy with Our DIY COSHH Workbook

At RiskSmartUK, we’ve made COSHH risk assessments easier by:

• Pre-filling most of the key info

• Giving you space to customise only what applies

• Including ready-to-use forms and hazard guidance

• Designed for shops, salons, studios, and small workspaces

🛒 Available blank for just £6.99🔗 Amazon | or download from website or etsy with editable Word Document and PDF for £7.99

🛒 or as part of the pre filled packs one the website/etsy for 11.99 or  Amazon 14.99

⚠️ Final Thought

If an accident happens and you've used chemicals — no matter how common or mild — you're responsible for showing you took the right steps.

A simple COSHH risk assessment proves that you did.

👉 Download the editable workbook now and take one big job off your compliance list.