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COSHH for Optical Support Staff

Safe use, storage, control and response for hazardous substances in optical practice

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COSHH for Optical Staff
COSHH in Optical Practice
Hazardous Substances & SDS
COSHH Assessments & Controls
Cleaning & Lens Care
Lab & Workshop Hazards
PPE & Skin Safety
Spillages & First Response
Storage, Waste & Contractors
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COSHH Reading List
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Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals

Gloved hands spraying and wiping a surface

Optical practices rely on cleaning and disinfecting products to reduce infection risk, but those products also pose COSHH hazards if mixed, overused, sprayed incorrectly, stored poorly or used outside their instructions.

P.1 Cleanliness and Decontamination

Video: 15m 15s · Creator: Swansea Bay NHS TV. YouTube Standard Licence.

This NHS video explains how cleanliness and decontamination interrupt the chain of infection. It emphasises clean, dry surfaces, clear responsibility, using the correct product with the right contact time, and reporting damaged or hard-to-clean items.

It clarifies the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, and states that cleaning must come before disinfection or sterilisation.

For COSHH purposes: use the correct product for the task, follow the specified method and contact time, wear suitable PPE when required, and report equipment, surfaces or products that are unsafe.

It clarifies the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, and states that cleaning must come before disinfection or sterilisation.

For COSHH purposes: use the correct product for the task, follow the specified method and contact time, wear suitable PPE when required, and report equipment, surfaces or products that are unsafe.

Was this video a good fit for this page?

Common product groups

Surface cleaning products: detergents, sprays, wipes, toilet products and descalers.
Disinfectants: products used for surfaces, equipment touchpoints or enhanced cleaning where local procedure requires them.
Alcohol products: hand rubs, wipes or other alcohol-based products that may also have fire and storage considerations.
Contact-lens products: multipurpose solutions and hydrogen peroxide systems where stocked, supplied, demonstrated or handled.
Optical equipment products: cleaners or wipes that may damage coatings, plastics or electronics if the wrong product is used.

Safe habits

Use only the product specified locally for the task.
Follow dilution, contact time, ventilation and PPE instructions.
Never mix cleaning chemicals or lens-care products.
Keep peroxide systems clearly identified and away from inappropriate use.
Do not substitute a stronger product because it seems quicker.
Report irritation, strong odours, damaged containers or unclear instructions.

This course covers COSHH safety for support staff. It does not define clinical decontamination methods for contact devices, tonometry workflows or specialist instruments.

Clinical optical staff who need detailed guidance on infectious eye disease, equipment disinfection, contact times, domiciliary IPC and incident response should consult GOC Standard 12: Infection Prevention in Optical Practice and the practice's local SOPs.

Support staff should clean only equipment they are trained and authorised to clean, using the approved product and method. If unsure, escalate to the registrant, manager or trained person.

Scenario

A team member mixes two cleaning products because one removes marks and the other "smells more hygienic". They use the mixture on trial frames without checking compatibility or the local procedure.

What are the COSHH and equipment-safety concerns?

Cleaning products should not be mixed unless the local procedure specifically allows it.
Mixing can produce harmful fumes or a stronger irritant.
The mixture may also damage frames, coatings or equipment surfaces.
The task should stop and the issue reported so the correct product and method can be confirmed.

Optional: Not part of the course final assessment.

Another?

Cleaning protects people only when the product and method are safe for the task, the surface and the person using it.

Key Points

Please take a moment to review these points, reflect on their significance and consider how they apply to your own experiences.

Tick to confirm (optional):

Use only the locally specified product for each task and follow the manufacturer’s dilution and contact-time instructions.
Cleaning must precede disinfection or sterilisation for effective decontamination.
Wear appropriate PPE and ensure adequate ventilation when required.
Never mix cleaning chemicals or lens-care solutions; mixing can produce harmful fumes or stronger irritants.
Keep peroxide systems clearly labelled and separate from incompatible products.
Avoid substituting a stronger product to speed up cleaning; this can cause damage or increased hazard.
Report strong odours, irritation, damaged containers, unclear instructions or equipment that’s hard to clean.
Be aware that some cleaners can damage coatings, plastics or electronics; use approved products for optical equipment.
Support staff must escalate uncertain or clinical decontamination tasks to a registrant, manager or trained person and follow local SOPs.

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COSHH Assessments & Controls Lab & Workshop Hazards

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 60 minutes CPD (1.00 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: optical assistant, receptionist, admin staff, dispensing support, optical technician, lab or workshop staff, cleaner, practice manager, locum or temporary staff
Course Price: Free
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To receive a CPD certificate you must view all course pages while logged in, then take a MCQ assessment.
- 10 questions, pass mark 80%.
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Cite this resource

Harvard

Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2026) ‘Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals’. Birmingham, UK: Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals [Accessed 13 May 2026].

Vancouver

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals [Internet]. Birmingham, UK: Mecourse Lifelong Learning; 2026 May 3 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals.

Chicago

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. “Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals.” 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals. Accessed May 13, 2026.

APA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. (2026, May 3). Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals. https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals

IEEE

Mecourse Lifelong Learning, “Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals.” Mecourse Lifelong Learning. https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals (Accessed: May 13, 2026).

AMA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Cleaning products, disinfectants and lens-care chemicals. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published May 3, 2026. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/coshh-for-optical-support-staff-cleaning-products-disinfectants-and-lens-care-chemicals.

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