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What does COSHH stand for?
The short answer
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. It requires employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances, such as kitchen cleaning chemicals, and then prevent or adequately control exposure to them.
Last checked 25 September 2026 against official guidance · see the sources.
What COSHH asks employers to do
- Assess the risk from each hazardous substance you use.
- Prevent exposure where you can, for example by switching to a safer product.
- Control it where you can’t prevent it, for example with gloves, eye protection or good ventilation.
- Make sure the controls are used, maintained and checked.
- Tell and train staff about the risks and how to stay safe.
Hazardous substances in a typical kitchen
| Substance | Why it’s hazardous |
|---|---|
| Oven and grill cleaners | Often corrosive: can burn skin and eyes |
| Bleach and sanitisers | Irritants; dangerous gases if mixed with other chemicals |
| Descalers and drain cleaners | Strong acids or alkalis |
| Dishwasher chemicals | Corrosive in concentrated form |
Never mix cleaning chemicals, keep them in their original labelled containers, and store them away from food. Read more: what counts as a hazardous substance under COSHH?
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