COSHH Risk Assessment Template: The Importance of Using a Checklist

Managing hazardous substances safely is crucial. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessments help businesses identify potential hazards, evaluate health risks and implement control measures to protect their employees. Using a checklist makes this process simpler, consistent and can make the process less time consuming. Whether handling chemicals, wood dust or fumes from tile cutting, there are many COSHH examples across industries that show how important consistent assessments are for preventing harm. A COSHH risk assessment checklist ensures that all steps are covered, helping your workplace stay safe and compliant with legal requirements.

A well-structured checklist supports your own COSHH assessments by providing your team with a clear framework for identifying hazards, assessing risk and reviewing control measures to keep your people and business safe. It also allows teams to track inspections, document findings and maintain up-to-date records. Using digital checklists or COSHH risk assessment software like Velappity further improves efficiency and accuracy while reducing paperwork.

What is a COSHH risk assessment checklist?

A COSHH risk assessment checklist is a practical tool that helps businesses carry out thorough assessments of hazardous substances. It covers the identification of potential hazards, evaluates the likelihood of harm and lists the necessary control measures to manage exposure. These checklists can be adapted to different workplaces and industries and can form part of your routine health and safety processes for managing health hazards.

By using a checklist, businesses can consistently follow regulations, ensure all relevant substances are covered and provide employees with a safe working environment. Digital versions of these checklists, like those offered by Velappity, make it easy to fill, store and access COSHH assessment forms securely, supporting your compliance obligations.

Benefits of using a checklist for COSHH risk assessments

Consistency across assessments

A checklist ensures that COSHH assessments are carried out consistently. Each step, from identifying hazardous substances to evaluating risk and recording control measures, is included. This consistency reduces the chance of missing hazards or overlooking important details in your COSHH assessments. For businesses handling multiple substances, such as chemicals, wood dust or fumes, consistency is crucial to maintain a safe workplace.

Saves time compared to traditional methods

Completing COSHH risk assessments manually can be time consuming. Paper forms are easy to misplace or get damaged, handwriting and different methods of completing inspections can cause confusion, and tracking multiple assessments across sites can be complex. A checklist streamlines the process, making it quicker to complete, review and update COSHH assessments. Introducing digital checklists can further reduce administrative time, allowing your team to focus on managing hazards rather than filling out paperwork.

Supports legal compliance

COSHH regulations are a legal requirement for businesses that handle substances hazardous to health. Using a checklist helps employers carry out thorough COSHH risk assessments, implement control measures and maintain documented evidence of compliance. A structured COSHH assessment template provides clear records in case of inspections or audits, protecting both employees and the business. Each completed COSHH form provides a clear record of your findings, making it easier to evidence compliance and review safety controls. Many businesses also use a HSE COSHH assessment template to ensure their documentation meets recognised standards and includes all legally required sections. Regularly reviewing your assessments against HSE COSHH assessment guidance helps maintain high safety standards and ensures continued compliance.

Improves risk identification

Checklists guide teams through the process of identifying potential hazards and assessing associated health risks. From chemicals stored on site to dust generated during construction, a checklist ensures that each hazard is considered. This systematic approach reduces the likelihood of overlooking harmful substances that teams come into contact with, exposure pathways or necessary control measures.

Enhances training and awareness

Using a COSHH checklist supports training by giving employees clear guidance on assessment steps and control measures. Teams gain practical knowledge of the risks associated with hazardous substances and understand how to implement controls. A checklist can also act as a reference for new team members or when reviewing processes, improving overall workplace safety culture and growing expertise. Reviewing a COSHH assessment example with your team can help demonstrate what effective hazard identification and control documentation should look like. You can also refer to a COSHH risk assessment example when creating your own forms, helping to ensure each stage of the process is clearly defined.

Easier updates and reviews

COSHH assessments should be reviewed regularly, especially when processes, substances or regulations change. A digital checklist allows quicker updates and keeps previous assessments accessible for reference, limiting data loss. This reduces the risk of outdated information and ensures that your COSHH risk assessments remain accurate and relevant over time.

What to include in a COSHH risk assessment checklist

A comprehensive COSHH checklist can include:

• Identification of substances hazardous to health
• Potential hazards and health risks
• Existing control measures
• Required additional control measures
• Exposure assessment
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
• Storage and handling procedures
• Emergency procedures and first aid
• Review dates and responsible personnel

You can also use a risk assessment template for COSHH to ensure all areas are covered and that every stage of your assessment follows the same structured approach. If you currently complete assessments using a COSHH risk assessment template Word document, switching to a digital format like Velappity can help reduce admin time and centralise your records.

COSHH risk assessment tasks for your team

COSHH checklists guide teams through a range of tasks to manage hazardous substances effectively. These tasks can vary depending on the industry and specific workplace processes. For example, a manufacturing site may focus on chemical risk assessment templates, storage of flammable substances and handling procedures. Construction sites may include checks for dust generated during wood cutting or tile cutting, as well as proper use of PPE and ventilation. Laboratories and cleaning services may use COSHH assessment forms to document exposure to fumes, cleaning agents and other harmful substances.

Tasks can typically include:

• Identification of hazardous substances: listing chemicals, wood dust, fumes or other harmful on site substances
• Assessment of health risks: evaluating the potential for harm, likelihood of exposure and severity of health effects
• Implementation of control measures: documenting existing controls and planning additional measures to eliminate or reduce risks
• Monitoring and review: scheduling periodic reviews to ensure control measures remain effective and COSHH assessments stay up to date
• Documentation and record keeping: using COSHH risk assessment templates, forms and sheets to maintain accurate records accessible to the team, supported by a COSHH sheet example for reference

A COSHH checklist also helps allocate responsibilities. For example, site supervisors can fill COSHH assessment forms, while managers review and sign off assessments. Teams can use the checklist to ensure all hazardous substances are covered, risks are evaluated and appropriate control measures are implemented consistently. Representing a business wide commitment to health and safety.

Get started with Velappity

Velappity offers a digital solution for COSHH risk assessments, replacing time consuming paper forms with an accessible, secure platform. Using Velappity, you can:

• Create digital COSHH assessment forms
• Store records centrally for easy access by your team
• Track and review assessments for multiple sites, departments or clients
• Assign inspection jobs to team members

Digitising COSHH checklists ensures that your own COSHH assessments are consistent, complete and easier to manage. While COSHH risk assessment PDF documents are an option for recording safety checks, using a digital checklist allows you to capture the same information with more flexibility and accuracy. By creating your own COSHH templates, you tailor assessments to each site or client. Velappity also supports compliance by keeping detailed records, allowing your business to respond confidently to audits and inspections. Teams can carry out assessments efficiently, protecting employees from exposure to hazardous substances and maintaining a safe working environment without the administrative burden of paper-based systems.

Whether your business handles chemicals, wood dust, tile cutting or other harmful substances, Velappity provides the tools to manage COSHH risk assessments effectively.