COSHH On Site: A Practical Checklist
Pro Site Docs · Guide
COSHH — the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations — applies to nearly every construction site. Dust, cement, fuels, solvents and resins all count. Here is a practical checklist.
Your COSHH checklist
- Identify every hazardous substance used or created (including dust like silica)
- Get the safety data sheet for each product
- Assess who could be exposed and how
- Put controls in place — elimination, extraction, suppression, then PPE
- Record the assessment and brief the team
- Provide the right RPE and face-fit test it
- Review when products or methods change
The hidden killer: silica dust
Cutting concrete, stone and brick releases respirable crystalline silica, which causes silicosis and lung cancer. Never dry-cut — use water suppression or on-tool extraction, and FFP3 RPE.
Ready-made assessments
Our COSHH assessment templates cover cement, silica, diesel, solvents, resins and more — each with control measures and first aid. Grab free templates to start.
Lee Hunt — SMSTS · NEBOSH NG1 & NG2 · NEBOSH Health & Safety Leadership Excellence · CSCS Black Card · Level 6 Diploma in Construction Site Management · IOSH · ISEP (environmental) · Temporary Works Supervisor & Coordinator · Lift Supervisor. Last reviewed: 29 August 2026.
Keep reading
General guidance only. This article explains how the rules generally work in UK construction. It is not advice for your specific site, task or project, and it is not legal advice. Your own risk assessment, method statement and arrangements must be prepared and checked by a competent person for the actual work being done.