COSHH Assessment Policy

1. Substance Details

A COSHH assessment must be completed for every hazardous substance used on site. The following information must be recorded for each product:

2. Hazard Information

Before using any product, staff must identify:

• All hazard symbols shown on the product label or Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Relevant H-codes (hazard statements) from the SDS
• Any specific warnings relating to the intended use

Safety Data Sheets must be requested from suppliers and kept on file for all hazardous products in use.

3. Persons at Risk

The following persons may be at risk from exposure to cleaning chemicals and must be considered in every assessment:

• Cleaning staff — primary users of chemicals
• Client employees — present in commercial premises
• Visitors and members of the public — including in residential properties

4. Routes of Exposure

Staff must be aware of the following exposure routes and take appropriate precautions for each:

• Skin contact — wear appropriate gloves at all times
• Eye contact — wear eye protection where splash risk is present
• Inhalation — ensure adequate ventilation; never use products in enclosed spaces without airflow
• Ingestion — never eat, drink, or smoke while handling chemicals

5. Control Measures

The following control measures are mandatory for all DNC Solutions staff:

• Always follow the correct dilution rates as specified on the product label or SDS
• Never mix chemicals unless explicitly trained and instructed to do so
• Always use products in well-ventilated areas
• Only use chemicals in their original or correctly labelled containers
• Follow the colour-coded cleaning system at all times to prevent cross-contamination

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The following PPE must be worn when handling cleaning chemicals:

• Protective gloves — mandatory at all times when handling products
• Eye protection — required where there is any risk of splash
• Closed footwear — non-slip, closed-toe shoes or boots required on all sites
• Additional PPE — as specified in the product SDS

7. Safe Handling & Storage

• All chemicals must be stored in a secure cleaning cupboard when not in use
• Products must always be kept in their original containers with labels intact
• Chemicals must be stored away from food preparation areas
• Products must be kept out of reach of children and pets, especially in residential properties
• Damaged or leaking containers must be reported and disposed of safely

8. First Aid Measures

In the event of chemical exposure, follow the guidance in the product SDS. General first aid measures are:

• Skin contact — remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes
• Eye contact — rinse eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical attention
• Inhalation — move to fresh air immediately, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
• Ingestion — do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention and show the product label

All incidents involving chemical exposure must be reported to management immediately regardless of severity.

9. Spill Procedure

In the event of a chemical spill:

• Put on appropriate PPE before attempting to clean up
• Contain the spill using absorbent material where available
• Dispose of contaminated materials safely and in accordance with local regulations
• Report the spill to management immediately
• Complete an incident report

10. Training Requirements

All DNC Solutions staff must complete the following before working independently:

• COSHH Awareness Training — understanding of hazards and legal requirements
• PPE Usage Training — correct use, fitting, and disposal of PPE
• Chemical Dilution Training — correct dilution ratios for all products in use

Training records are maintained by management and reviewed annually.

11. Risk Rating

Each substance assessment must be assigned an overall risk level:

Low   Medium   High

Any substance assessed as High risk must be reviewed with management before use and additional controls put in place.