COSHH Awareness Training and Spill Kit Training

COSHH Awareness Training Course

COSHH Awareness Training equips staff with the knowledge to safely handle substances hazardous to health in the workplace.

The course covers key areas including hazard identification, understanding warning symbols, risk assessment procedures, and control measures aligned with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

Learners gain useful insight into exposure routes, health effects, and how to respond in an emergency. This course can be combined with Spill Kit Training to also teach staff about spill contamination, proper use of PPE, safe disposal methods, and environmental regulations to ensure compliance.

Current COSHH regulations (2002, as amended) require employers to assess risks, control exposure, provide training, monitor health, and implement emergency procedures for handling hazardous substances in the workplace.

Ideal for care, cleaning, maintenance, and industrial settings, this training promotes legal compliance, reduces workplace risks, and supports a safer working environment. Certification is provided upon completion, with options for onsite, virtual, or e-learning delivery.

COSHH Training course pairs well with Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Spill Kit, Infection Control, and Health & Safety Awareness to build a comprehensive foundation in workplace risk management and regulatory compliance.

📚Related: COSHH e-learning Awareness Course / Health and Safety Representative Training.

Course Information:

• Course Duration: 2-3 Hours (half-day)
• Course Level: Level 2
• Certificate: 2-year certificate
• Max Delegates: 12
• Practical: No
• Course Mode: Face to Face/ Online (Virtual)

COSHH Awareness Course Outline

This course helps learners understand how to safely work with or around hazardous substances, in line with UK health and safety regulations.

1. What is COSHH?

• What COSHH means
• Why it is important to know about COSHH
• Simple examples of dangerous substances

2. COSHH and the Law

• The main safety laws in the UK
• What the law says about working with harmful substances
• Who checks if the rules are being followed (HSE)

3. Who Does What?

• Employers (the company or boss)
  • Must keep workers safe
  • Must give training and safety gear
• Employees (the workers)
  • Must follow safety rules
  • Must tell someone if something is wrong

4. Spotting Harmful Substances

• What harmful substances look like (chemicals, dust, fumes)
• Reading warning labels and safety signs
• Knowing COSHH symbols (like the skull or flame)

5. Staying Safe

• How to control or stop harm (like using masks or proper storage)
• How to handle and throw away harmful substances safely
• What to do if there is a spill or emergency

6. Checking for Risks

• What a risk assessment is
• How to check for dangers at work
• Why it’s important to review these checks often

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. State the importance of COSHH.
2. Describe Legislation related to COSHH.
3. Explain Employers’ Responsibilities & Employees Responsibilities.
4. State how to identify hazards.
5. State controlling hazards & taking precautions.
6. Define Risk Assessment.

📚Relevant: Trainer-led Infection Control Training for Employees. / Infection Train the Trainer Course.

Who Should Take This Training?

The list of people who should take the co:

• Care workers and healthcare staff
• Cleaners and janitors
• Maintenance and facilities workers
• Factory and warehouse staff
• Construction workers
• Hairdressers and beauty therapists
• School and nursery staff
• Laboratory and science technicians
• Catering and kitchen staff
• Office staff and managers in environments with hazardous substances

This course is useful for anyone who works with or near substances that could be harmful, even if only occasionally.

Course Benefits:

Key benefits of completing COSHH Course especially for employers and employees:

• Legal compliance: Helps your organisation follow the rules set by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
• Risk reduction: Reduces the chance of being exposed to harmful substances, lowering the risk of illness, injury, or damage to the environment.
• Better safety culture: Raises awareness and responsibility among staff, encouraging safer ways of working.
• Confidence at work: Gives employees the knowledge to handle hazardous materials safely, understand safety data sheets, and deal with spills or exposure properly.
• Less time off: Helps stop health problems caused by work, leading to fewer sick days and better productivity.
• Ready for inspections: Helps keep the right records and be prepared for visits from the HSE or other safety inspectors.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 1.7 million UK workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2024, with many cases linked to hazardous substance exposure. Poor COSHH compliance contributes to illness, lost productivity, and an estimated £21.6 billion in costs.

Onsite COSHH Awareness Training Course

Caring for Care offers Onsite COSHH Awareness Course to help your staff understand the risks posed by hazardous substances in the workplace. We visit your location and train your entire team with training tailored to your industry and specific roles.

What makes us unique is our customised approach, ensuring the training directly relates to the substances and risks your team actually faces. We focus on practical understanding, clear communication, and empowering employees to confidently manage hazards and respond appropriately to incidents.

We provide training across the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

By delivering training onsite, we save you the cost and logistics of booking accommodation and travel for your staff.

This flexible approach helps employees apply what they learn immediately, builds their confidence, promotes safer working practices, and ensures your organisation complies with COSHH regulations.

Course Testimonials

We receive thousands of reviews each year from individuals who have attended our courses both across the UK and internationally. Currently, our courses hold an ‘Excellent’ rating, with a 99% recommendation rate.

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“Trainer was very knowledgeable, she was happy to answer any questions. I would recommend this course. All the staff felt comfortable with the trainer. The training was easy to arrange and we received the certificates quickly too.” – Anonymous

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“Training was very knowledgeable, trainer was happy to answer any questions. I would recommend this course.” – Joanna B.

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“Caring for Care are far the best company to use for all your training requirements, the Trainer Chris was amazing, he got everyone involved” – Ellie Sunrise Healthcare

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“Liam presented a brilliant 3 day course with a mixture of information and on site training with scenarios and active training.” – Steve W

COSH Training Requirements

COSHH training requirements state that all relevant employees must receive adequate training and information on hazardous substances.
This ensures they understand the risks, control measures, and procedures involved.

While no specific qualifications are required, the individual must be competent to carry out their work safely.

Training should cover:

• Identifying hazardous substances.
• Risk assessments.
• Safe handling and storage.
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Emergency procedures.
• Employee responsibilities.

Regular refresher training is also recommended to keep knowledge up to date.

Is COSHH a legal requirement for employers?

Yes, COSHH is a legal requirement in the UK.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. These regulations place a legal duty on employers to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances.

Employers must:

• Carry out risk assessments.
• Put control measures in place.
• Provide training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Monitor exposure and workers’ health.
• Plan for emergencies.

Failure to follow these rules can lead to enforcement action, fines, or prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Who Should Be COSHH Aware?

Ideally, everyone in a workplace where harmful substances are used should know a bit about COSHH. This includes:

• People who work directly with harmful substances.
• People who might breathe in things like fumes or dust.
• Office staff and managers who need to understand the safety rules.

Why do your employees need COSHH awareness training?

our employees need COSHH Awareness Training to protect themselves and others from the health risks posed by hazardous substances in the workplace.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers are legally required to assess risks, implement control measures, and ensure staff are properly trained.

Without this knowledge, employees may unknowingly misuse chemicals, ignore safety data sheets, or fail to respond correctly to spills or exposure, leading to illness, injury, or legal non-compliance. COSHH training empowers staff to work safely, confidently, and in line with regulatory standards.

What are the specific health risks  staff should learn to recognise under COSHH?

Under COSHH, staff should learn to recognise the different health risks linked to exposure to hazardous substances. These can include:

• Respiratory issues like asthma, chronic lung conditions (such as COPD), or lung damage from breathing in fumes, dust, or vapours
• Skin conditions like dermatitis, burns, or even skin cancer from touching harmful or corrosive substances
• Effects on the brain and nerves, such as headaches, dizziness, or long-term nerve damage from solvents
• Damage to organs or genes from toxic chemicals that build up in the body over time
•  Infections from biological hazards like bacteria, viruses, or moulds
• Asphyxiation or poisoning caused by gases or chemicals that reduce oxygen levels or are harmful when breathed in or swallowed

These health problems can happen suddenly or develop over time, so it’s important for staff to be aware of the risks and follow safety measures to stay protected and meet legal requirements.

Career Opportunities

Taking a half-day COSHH Awareness Course can help you in roles where handling chemicals or other harmful substances is part of the role.

Here are some jobs that would benefit from this training:

1. Care Assistants / Healthcare Assistants

• Role: Help look after patients in hospitals, care homes, or at home.
• Benefit: Learn how to safely use cleaning products and medicines, which is important in caring for others.

2. Cleaning Staff

• Role: Clean buildings in hospitals, schools, hotels, or offices.
• Benefit: COSHH training teaches how to safely handle cleaning products and chemicals.

3. Maintenance Workers

• Role: Look after buildings and equipment.
• Benefit: Learn how to safely use and store chemicals like cleaners or solvents.

4. Laboratory Technicians

• Role: Work in labs handling chemicals or biological materials.
• Benefit: Learn how to safely use, store, and dispose of harmful substances.

5. Warehouse Workers or Factory Workers

• Role: Work in factories or warehouses where chemicals are used.
• Benefit: COSHH training helps you manage risks and stay safe when handling dangerous substances.

6. Health and Safety Officers

• Role: Ensure that workplaces are safe for everyone.
• Benefit: Learn how to make sure employees follow the rules for using hazardous substances.

7. Environmental Health Officers

• Role: Inspect places to make sure they are safe and healthy.
• Benefit: Understand how to check if chemicals are being used safely in workplaces.

8. Supervisors or Managers

• Role: Oversee teams in places like care homes or hospitals.
• Benefit: Learn how to manage staff and make sure they follow safety rules for harmful substances.

9. Jobs in High-Risk Workplaces

• Role: Work in jobs like construction, healthcare, or cleaning, where dangerous substances are used.
• Benefit: COSHH training is often required for these jobs and helps you get hired.

This training gives you the skills needed to work safely in many different jobs. It shows employers that you know how to handle hazardous substances correctly, making you a valuable employee.

COSHH Awareness Training – FAQs

1. What is COSHH?

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is the law that requires employers to control substances that can harm workers’ health, such as chemicals, fumes, dust, and gases.

2. Who needs COSHH training?

Anyone who works with or around harmful substances, like cleaners, healthcare staff, maintenance workers, or anyone in a factory or lab, should take this training to stay safe.

3. How long does the COSHH Awareness Training take?

The training takes half a day (about 3 hours). It’s a short and useful session that covers everything you need to know to stay safe at work.

4. Do I need any prior knowledge before taking the course?

No, the course is designed for beginners. You don’t need any special knowledge to take part—just an interest in learning how to stay safe when handling chemicals or harmful substances.

5. What will I learn in the COSHH training?

You will learn:

• What COSHH is and why it’s important.
• The laws about working with harmful substances.
• How to spot dangerous substances in your workplace.
• How to control risks and stay safe.
• How to do a simple risk assessment to check for dangers.

6. Will I get a certificate after the course?

Yes, once you complete the training, you will receive a certificate of completion. This shows you understand how to work safely with harmful substances.

7. Do I need to take the training every year?

It’s a good idea to refresh your knowledge every year or when there are big changes in your workplace (e.g., new chemicals or procedures). Some workplaces may require you to take refresher training as part of their safety rules.

8. Is this course suitable for everyone?

Yes, the course is suitable for anyone who works in places where harmful substances are used, like hospitals, care homes, factories, schools, and offices. It’s also useful for supervisors or managers who need to make sure their teams follow safety rules.

9. What happens if I can’t attend the training on the scheduled date?

If you can’t attend the training on the scheduled date, please let us know in advance. We may be able to offer another session or help you find another suitable date.

10. How do I book the course?

You can book the Trainer-Led COSHH Awareness Training online or by contacting us directly. We’ll guide you through the booking process and answer any questions you may have.

Do you offer the COSHH Training Online?

Yes, our Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Awareness Training is available also as a virtual classroom session, offering live, interactive learning led by experienced trainers.

This format allows staff to ask questions, engage in discussions, and apply knowledge in real time, ideal for teams working remotely or across multiple sites.

For those who prefer self-paced study, we also offer a fully accredited coshh e-learning option. Learners can complete the course anytime, from any device, with instant certification upon passing.

Both formats ensure compliance with COSHH regulations while accommodating different learning styles and operational needs.

Can't speak highly enough of Caring for Care. The trainer was excellent and all of the staff left feeling like they had learnt something new. The team working behind the scenes were also very helpful and flexible. Thankyou very much