Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
SI 2002/2677•Status:CurrentAt a Glance
- Date Enacted
- 21 November 2002
- Enforcing Body
- HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
- Maximum Penalty
- Unlimited
- Jurisdiction
- England, Wales, Scotland
- Citation
- SI 2002/2677
- Status
- Current
What This Means for You
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (SI 2002/2677) is a crucial piece of UK health and safety legislation designed to protect employees from health risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace. COSHH requires employers to assess the risks, prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances, and provide information, instruction, and training to employees. The regulations cover a wide range of substances, including chemicals, dusts, fumes, vapours, gases, and biological agents. The impact on workplace safety signage is significant. COSHH mandates the use of appropriate warning signs and symbols to clearly identify areas where hazardous substances are present, handled, or stored. These signs must comply with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, ensuring that they are easily understood and provide clear warnings about the specific hazards. Effective signage is essential for communicating risks, preventing accidental exposure, and ensuring that employees and visitors are aware of the necessary precautions to take. The regulations also impact signage related to emergency procedures, such as spill control and first aid, in areas where hazardous substances are present.
Key Provisions
Regulation 7Control of exposureStorage areas must be marked with hazard signs
Storage areas must be marked with hazard signs
Regulation 7 - Control of exposure
Storage areas must be marked with hazard signs
Signage Requirements
- Display warning signs indicating the presence of hazardous substances.
- Use appropriate hazard symbols (pictograms) in accordance with CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging).
- Provide signs indicating mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
- Display signs indicating emergency procedures, such as spill control measures and first aid information.
- Ensure signage is clear, legible, and easily understood by all employees and visitors.
- Signage must be maintained in good condition and replaced when damaged or faded.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failure to display adequate warning signs in areas where hazardous substances are present.
- Using outdated or incorrect hazard symbols.
- Lack of signage indicating mandatory PPE requirements.
- Poorly maintained or illegible signage.
- Failure to provide signage in languages understood by all employees.
Practical Next Steps
- 1Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify all hazardous substances and associated risks.
- 2Consult safety data sheets (SDS) to determine appropriate hazard symbols and warning statements.
- 3Ensure all employees are trained on the meaning of safety signs and the hazards they represent.
- 4Regularly inspect signage to ensure it is in good condition and properly positioned.
- 5Involve employees in the selection and placement of safety signs to ensure they are effective and understood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COSHH?
What types of signs are required under COSHH?
Where can I find information on the correct hazard symbols to use?
Official Resources
Related Regulations
Safety Signs Regulations 1996
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
The core signage regulation. Requires employers to provide safety signs where risks cannot be avoided or controlled by other means.
L64Safety Signs and SignalsView Full DetailsFire Safety Order 2005
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Primary fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises. Requires fire safety signs for escape routes and equipment.
View Full DetailsFire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Post-Grenfell regulations requiring wayfinding signage in high-rise residential buildings.
View Full DetailsGB CLP Regulation
Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (retained EU law)
UK's implementation of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for chemical classification and labelling.
View Full Details
