Startups, and the people behind them, have a lot on their plates from day one. There are regulations to pay attention to. There are ideas to develop, supplies to purchase, permits to obtain, and customers to find. And in the UK, there is also the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 to worry about.
COSHH affects some startups more than others. But to one extent or another, all startups need to be cognisant of the rules to ensure compliance. In whatever way COSHH applies to a startup, that organisation must get on board. If you are planning to launch a startup, you can find COSHH compliant supplies on this website as well as links to useful guides about COSHH compliance.
In the meantime, here are the most important things startups and entrepreneurs should know about COSHH:
1. What It Is
COSHH is both a concept and a set of regulations. The regulations date back to 2002 and are designed to protect employees from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. Adherence to the regulations keeps employees safer.
The regulations address a number of types of chemicals and airborne particulates. They cover:
- Standard chemicals (solvents, cleaning chemicals, etc.)
- Dusts (silicon dust, wood dust, etc.)
- Fumes (fumes generated by welding, painting, etc.)
- Biological agents (bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens)
- Vapours, mists, and gases
More or less, anything that can be inhaled and is a concern for human health is covered by the regulations. A restaurant would have to be cognisant of COSHH because of the cleaning chemicals it uses to keep the kitchen tidy. An industrial company would need to apply COSHH to its use of solvents. The list goes on and on.
2. Why It Matters to Companies
It is easy to think of COSHH as just another set of burdensome regulations that inhibit business. But like all regulations, there is a purpose behind COSHH. The purpose matters to companies of all sizes and scopes.
Entrepreneurs just launching a startup need to pay attention to COSHH closely. It matters for three big reasons:
- Workplace Safety – The primary motivation behind COSHH is reducing workplace illnesses and injuries. Workplace safety should be a top priority for any startup.
- Saving Lives – Above and beyond reducing workplace illnesses is actually saving lives. An estimated 12,000 UK workers died from a lung disease linked to workplace exposure in 2021. COSHH is designed to lower those numbers.
- Legal Implications – If nothing else, startups should pay attention to COSHH because the cost of non-compliance could be severe. There are legal consequences, including criminal prosecution and unlimited fines.
Regulators are serious about COSHH and its ability to protect workers. Startups should be equally serious. They owe it to their employees.
3. Company Responsibilities Under COSHH
Next up, startups need to be cognisant of their responsibilities under COSHH. Those responsibilities begin with risk assessments. All employers are required to assess the risks associated with any and all hazardous substances in their workplaces. Risk assessments should be followed by:
- Control Measures – Companies must implement appropriate control measures. These include things like providing adequate ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and using the least hazardous substances whenever possible.
- Training – Employers are required to provide adequate training on handling hazardous substances. This includes training in hazardous symbol identification.
- Surveillance – Employers must also monitor employee health in relation to working with high-risk substances.
COSHH dictates that companies have a responsibility to their employees. Those responsibilities are not suspended for startups. That leads us directly to the next point.
4. Who Is Required to Comply
COSHH regulations apply to all UK employers regardless of business size or industry. Even a startup with just a few employees is required to maintain compliance. Fortunately, the steps for maintaining compliance are easy enough to understand. There are five of them:
- Identify hazardous substances
- Conduct a COSHH risk assessment
- Implement control measures
- Train employees
- Document assessments and safety procedures
Note that the steps are repeatable. As things within a company change, the organisation’s COSHH posture should be re-evaluated. Significant changes may require a company to go through the steps again.
Employees Are People First
At the very core of COSHH is the understanding that employees are people first. They are not resources to be treated like the equipment and supplies startups need to do what they do. Protecting them against exposure to hazardous substances is the least companies can do for the very people who make their organisations work.
If you are in the midst of launching a UK startup or have plans to do so in the future, be sure to do your due diligence in relation to COSHH. Research COSHH so that you fully understand it. Get with your team and talk about it. Together, commit to complying with COSHH regulations for the health and wellbeing of your employees. If you take care of them, they will take care of you.
