COSHH/DSEAR assessment - bleach

If you use or store bleach in the workplace, you will need to carry out a COSHH/DSEAR risk assessment. Our example document will give you a head start.

Why you need our document

Bleach is classified as a hazardous substance as it’s an irritant to the eyes and skin. Because of this you need to carry out a risk assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). If you have five or more employees, then you need to write it down.

COSHH assessments are one of the more technically demanding types of risk assessment, so we’ve done the hard work for you by producing this example which covers the common ways in which bleach is used.

Note. The term DSEAR in our title refers to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002. To comply we look at dangerous properties, such as flammability, for all hazardous substances. In the case of bleach there are no DSEAR requirements.

What’s included?

The risk assessment covers:

1.       Details of the substance.

2.       How the product is used.

3.       The risk control measures for normal use.

4.       Emergency procedures including fire and the first aid response.

5.       The level of risk both with and without control measures in place.

Once you’ve checked that the contents apply to your business, sign off the assessment on the last page.