COSHH in Care Homes

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 set out how employers must manage substances that can cause harm to health. In care homes, COSHH plays a central role in protecting staff, residents, and visitors from everyday risks linked to cleaning chemicals, medicines, and biological hazards.

This guide explains what COSHH is, why it matters in care homes, and how to meet your legal responsibilities in practice.

What does COSHH stand for?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
It refers to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, which is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to their employees' health.

These regulations require employers to identify hazardous substances, assess the risks, and put effective controls in place to prevent or reduce harm. COSHH applies across health and social care settings, including residential and nursing homes.

Why is COSHH important in care homes?

Care homes use and store hazardous substances daily. Without proper controls, exposure can lead to:

• Skin irritation and dermatitis

• Breathing difficulties and asthma

• Chemical burns or eye injuries

• Long-term health conditions

COSHH is important because it provides a legal framework for managing these risks systematically rather than reactively.

With strict enforcement, COSHH ensures care homes;

• Prevent Accidental Poisoning: Residents, particularly those with dementia or cognitive impairment, may mistake cleaning fluids for beverages or food items. Strict COSHH rules on locked storage and proper labelling directly prevent these life-threatening incidents.

• Minimise Exposure Risks: Proper control measures, such as using less toxic alternatives and ensuring good ventilation, protect residents with pre-existing respiratory conditions or frail immune systems from inhaling harmful fumes.

• It prevents serious, long-term health conditions such as dermatitis, occupational asthma caused by constant exposure to cleaning chemicals, and other respiratory issues.

It also helps care providers demonstrate compliance during inspections and audits.

What are hazardous substances in a care home?

Hazardous substances under COSHH refers to chemicals, products, Fumes, dusts and vapours and biological agent

• Cleaning products cleaning and housekeeping chemicals which includes a lot of corrosive items such as bleach, disinfectants, and detergents

• Laundry chemicals including stain removers and sanitisers

• Medicinal substances that may cause harm if mishandled

• Biological hazards such as bodily fluids and contaminated waste

• Maintenance materials like paints, solvents, and adhesives

Any substance that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or injection falls within the scope of COSHH.

COSHH risk assessments in care homes

A COSHH risk assessment is the foundation of compliance.

It should clearly set out:

1. Which hazardous substances are present

2. Who may be exposed and how

3. The level of risk involved

4. What control measures are in place

5. How exposure will be monitored and reviewed

Risk assessments must reflect real working practices, not just written procedures. They should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever products, processes, or staffing arrangements change.

Common COSHH risks specific to care homes

Care homes face a combination of chemical and biological risks, including:

• Mixing or incorrect dilution of cleaning products

• Poor storage or labelling of chemicals

• Inadequate PPE when handling bodily fluids

• Insufficient ventilation in cleaning or laundry areas

• Lack of staff awareness around hazardous substances

Addressing these risks relies on clear procedures, training, and supervision.

COSHH control measures: what does “adequate control” mean?

COSHH requires employers to prevent exposure where possible or reduce it to a safe level.

Typical control measures in care homes include:

• Using less hazardous products where alternatives exist

• Providing clear written procedures for safe handling

• Ensuring correct storage and labelling

• Supplying appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Maintaining good ventilation and hygiene standards

Control measures should be proportionate to the risk and consistently followed.

COSHH symbols and labels explained

Hazardous substances are labelled using internationally recognised symbols under the CLP system. Staff should understand what these symbols indicate, such as:

• Toxic or harmful substances

• Corrosive materials

• Health hazards

• Irritants

Recognising these symbols supports safer handling and storage decisions.

Employer and employee responsibilities under COSHH

Employer responsibilities include:

• Carrying out COSHH risk assessments

• Implementing appropriate control measures

• Providing information, instruction, and training

• Ensuring safe storage, use, and disposal

• Monitoring exposure and reviewing assessments

Employee responsibilities include:

• Following COSHH procedures

• Using PPE correctly

• Reporting hazards, spills, or incidents

• Taking reasonable care of their own and others’ health

COSHH relies on shared responsibility, but accountability ultimately rests with the employer.

COSHH training in care homes

Training is essential to effective COSHH management.

Staff should understand:

• Which substances are hazardous

• How to read labels and safety data sheets

• Safe handling and storage procedures

• What to do in the event of exposure or spillage

Training should be refreshed regularly and whenever new substances or procedures are introduced.

What happens if COSHH is not followed?

Failure to comply with COSHH can result in:

• Harm to staff or residents

• Enforcement action by regulators

• Financial penalties or prosecution

• Reputational damage to the care provider

Strong COSHH management helps reduce these risks and supports a safer care environment.

Managing COSHH in care homes

COSHH compliance in care homes depends on consistent risk assessment, clear documentation, staff awareness, and regular review. The challenge is rarely understanding the regulations it’s keeping processes up to date, accessible, and followed across teams and shifts.

This is where structured health and safety management tools can support COSHH responsibilities in practice.

BrightHR’s health and safety features can help care homes:

• Store and manage COSHH risk assessments centrally, making them easier to update, review, and evidence during inspections

• Maintain clear records of hazardous substances, procedures, and staff acknowledgements in one place

• Support staff awareness by keeping COSHH documentation accessible alongside policies and training records

• Track reviews and updates, helping managers demonstrate that COSHH assessments are actively maintained rather than treated as one-off paperwork

Used correctly, this kind of system supports the administrative side of COSHH, helping care providers stay organised, consistent, and inspection-ready while focusing on delivering safe care.