COSHH and Cleaning Chemicals: What Every Staffordshire Business Must Know

If your business uses cleaning chemicals, COSHH applies to you. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 cover any substance that could harm health — and that includes many everyday cleaning products, from bleach and degreasers to disinfectants and descalers. Businesses across Staffordshire, from care homes in Stafford to hotels in Stoke-on-Trent, are legally required to assess and manage these risks. The good news is that with the right approach, COSHH compliance is straightforward.

What COSHH Means for Cleaning Products

COSHH requires employers to identify which substances employees are exposed to, assess the risks, and put controls in place to protect people. For cleaning operations, this means understanding which products contain hazardous ingredients and ensuring they are used, stored, and disposed of correctly. Safety data sheets — sometimes called MSDS or SDS — are the starting point. Every cleaning chemical you purchase should come with one, and suppliers are legally required to provide them.

Safety data sheets set out the hazard classification, first aid measures, storage requirements, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for each product. If you are buying cleaning supplies from a reputable trade supplier, these documents should be readily available, either in print or for download.

Carrying Out a COSHH Assessment

A COSHH assessment does not need to be a lengthy document. For most cleaning operations, a straightforward written record covering each chemical in use is sufficient. Your assessment should cover the following for each product:

• What the substance is and what it is used for
• Who could be exposed and how (inhalation, skin contact, ingestion)
• What control measures are in place (dilution, ventilation, PPE)
• What to do in an emergency
• How often the assessment will be reviewed

For most businesses, the hazard information on the safety data sheet feeds directly into this assessment. The HSE provides a free COSHH assessment tool on its website for businesses that want a guided approach.

Dilution and Control Measures

One of the most effective ways to reduce risk from cleaning chemicals is correct dilution. Many concentrated products are significantly more hazardous in their undiluted form — skin and respiratory irritation risks drop sharply when products are mixed to the recommended use concentration. This is one reason why dosing systems and pre-measured sachets are popular in commercial settings: they reduce both chemical exposure and product waste.

Ventilation matters too. Using strong cleaning chemicals in poorly ventilated spaces — walk-in fridges, basement plant rooms, small toilets — increases the risk of inhalation. Where ventilation cannot be improved, respiratory PPE may be required. Your safety data sheets will specify the minimum PPE for each product.

Training and Record-Keeping

COSHH requires that employees who use hazardous substances are properly trained. This does not mean a formal course for every cleaner, but it does mean they should understand the risks of the products they use, how to dilute them correctly, what PPE to use, and what to do if there is a spillage or skin contact. Brief toolbox talks, backed up by laminated product information sheets near the storage area, are a practical and widely used approach.

Keep a record of your assessments and any training provided. In the event of an HSE inspection or an incident, this documentation demonstrates that you have taken your legal duty seriously.

Choosing Products That Make Compliance Easier

Selecting the right cleaning products in the first place can simplify your COSHH obligations considerably. Products with lower hazard classifications, clear dilution guidance, and readily available safety data sheets reduce the administrative burden. Buying from a specialist trade supplier means you get proper documentation as standard, rather than having to chase it down from a generalist wholesaler.

It is also worth reviewing your product range periodically. Using fewer, multi-purpose products rather than a large number of specialist chemicals can reduce the number of COSHH assessments you need to maintain.

If you would like guidance on choosing cleaning chemicals that are effective, compliant, and properly documented, get in touch — or browse our full range, where safety data sheets are available for every product we stock.