Exam Pass Notes

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A Simple 6-Step Memory Aid

• Identify the substance
• Check the local procedure
• Prevent exposure
• Use PPE correctly
• Act safely in incidents
• Report and learn

What COSHH Covers

• COSHH applies to substances hazardous to health: chemicals, products containing chemicals, dusts, mists, gases, vapours, fumes and biological agents.
• In care homes this includes cleaning products, disinfectants, laundry chemicals, body fluids, contaminated waste, soiled laundry and some medicine-related exposures.
• Exposure routes include skin and eye contact, breathing in, swallowing, injection injury and contact with contaminated surfaces.
• Lead, asbestos and radioactive substances are regulated separately.

Labels, SDSs, and Assessments

• Read labels and never use unknown or unlabelled products.
• A safety data sheet (SDS) helps with risk assessment but does not replace a local COSHH assessment.
• A COSHH assessment should note the substance and task, likely exposure routes, people who might be affected, existing controls and any additional actions required.
• Staff must know the assessment outcome and how it affects their work tasks.

Controls, Cleaning, and Storage

• Follow the hierarchy of control: avoid or substitute the substance where practical, reduce exposure, use safer systems and apply PPE when needed.
• Do not mix cleaning products, especially bleach-based products with acids or ammonia.
• Keep products in suitable labelled containers and store them securely away from residents, food, heat, sunlight and incompatible substances.
• Body-fluid spills, soiled laundry and contaminated waste must be managed using IPC and COSHH controls, not improvised shortcuts.

PPE, Skin, and Incidents

• Choose PPE to match the task and the hazard. Gloves, aprons, masks, eye protection and chemical-resistant gloves are specific to different risks and are not interchangeable.
• Gloves do not replace hand hygiene and can spread contamination if worn between tasks.
• Report skin problems such as dryness, cracking, itching or rash, and symptoms like breathing difficulty or nausea after exposure.
• For a spill or exposure: protect people first, identify the substance if it is safe to do so, follow the local procedure, escalate as required and record the incident.