Controlling hazardous substances isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a cornerstone of safe, efficient operations. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), employers must take proactive steps to identify, assess and control exposure to harmful substances. Yet many organisations still struggle with outdated documentation, poor labelling, missing assessments, or simply not knowing where to start.
Effective COSHH management is one of the most impactful ways to reduce workplace illness, improve safety culture and demonstrate compliance. At MBO Safety Services, we help businesses build robust, practical systems that protect employees and strengthen operational performance.
What Counts as a Hazardous Substance?
A hazardous substance is any material that can cause harm if inhaled, ingested, absorbed through the skin, or released into the environment. Common examples include:
- Cleaning chemicals
- Solvents and adhesives
- Dusts and fumes
- Paints, resins and coatings
- Biological agents
- Flammable or corrosive liquids
Many workplaces underestimate the risks of everyday products. Even mild detergents can cause dermatitis, while airborne dust can lead to long‑term respiratory issues.
The 6 Pillars of Effective COSHH Management
- Hazard Identification: Understanding what substances are present, how they’re used, and who may be exposed.
- COSHH Risk Assessments: Evaluating exposure routes, health effects, and control measures. A COSHH assessment must be specific, task‑based and regularly reviewed.
- Safe Storage and Labelling: Ensuring substances are stored correctly, segregated where necessary, and labelled in line with GB CLP regulations.
- Control Measures: Employees must be appropriately trained and competent, ensuring they understand the hazards associated with COSHH substances and the control measures required when handling or using them.
- Training and Competency: Employees must understand the hazards, controls, and emergency procedures.
- Monitoring and Review: Regular checks, health surveillance where required, and updates when processes change.
Common COSHH Failures (and How MBO Prevents Them)
- Outdated or generic assessments: MBO creates task specific COSHH assessments tailored to your operations.
- Missing SDS documents: We assist companies in compiling and maintaining COSHH inventories and can obtain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) from suppliers where these are not readily available.
- Poor chemical storage: Our audits identify segregation issues, ventilation gaps and fire risks.
- Lack of employee training: MBO delivers clear, practical COSHH awareness training.
- No exposure monitoring: We advise on air sampling, health surveillance and record keeping.
These failures often lead to enforcement notices, increased sickness absence, and reputational damage, all avoidable with a structured COSHH programme.
Why COSHH Matters More Than Ever
With rising awareness of occupational health, regulators are increasingly focused on exposure risks. Poor COSHH management can lead to:
- Long‑term respiratory conditions
- Skin disorders such as dermatitis
- Fire and explosion hazards
- Environmental contamination
- Legal penalties and HSE enforcement
Strong COSHH controls protect your workforce, reduce downtime, and demonstrate your commitment to safe, responsible operations.
How MBO Safety Services Supports Your COSHH Compliance
MBO provides end to end COSHH support, including:
- Development and review of COSHH assessments
- SDS management and chemical inventories
- Workplace exposure monitoring
- COSHH awareness training
- Safe storage and handling guidance
Our approach is practical, compliant, and tailored to your industry — whether you operate in manufacturing, construction, logistics or office‑based environments.
DSEAR Assessments: Managing Fire, Explosion and Dangerous Substances Risks
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) require employers to assess and control risks from substances that could ignite, explode or create harmful atmospheres. While COSHH focuses on health risks, DSEAR addresses fire, explosion and thermal hazards, making it essential for workplaces handling flammable liquids, gases, vapours, dusts or reactive substances.
DSEAR is particularly critical in environments such as:
- Spray booths and paint mixing rooms
- Workshops using flammable solvents or adhesives
- Manufacturing areas with combustible dusts
- Storage of flammable liquids, aerosols or gas cylinders
- Maintenance activities involving hot work
Why DSEAR Matters in Spray Booths
Spray booths are one of the most common areas where organisations unknowingly fall short of DSEAR compliance. Key risks include:
- Flammable vapours from paints, lacquers and thinners
- Overspray accumulation creating combustible atmospheres
- Ignition sources from lighting, fans or electrical components
- Inadequate ventilation leading to vapour build‑up
- Poor storage of flammable liquids nearby
A structured DSEAR assessment ensures spray booths are correctly zoned, ventilated, maintained and operated, significantly reducing fire and explosion risks.
What a DSEAR Assessment Involves
- Hazardous substance identification: identifying materials that could create explosive atmospheres.
- Hazardous area zoning: determining where explosive atmospheres may form and specifying suitable equipment.
- Ignition source control: assessing electrical equipment, static discharge, hot surfaces and mechanical sparks.
- Ventilation and extraction review: ensuring airflow prevents vapour build‑up.
- Storage and handling checks: verifying segregation, bunding and container suitability.
- Emergency planning: including spill response, fire precautions and shutdown procedures.
- Documentation and ongoing review: ensuring assessments remain current and aligned with operational changes.
How MBO Safety Services Supports Your DSEAR Compliance
MBO provides comprehensive DSEAR support that integrates seamlessly with your COSHH programme:
- Full DSEAR assessments for spray booths, workshops, production lines and storage areas
- Flammable substance reviews including paints, solvents and aerosols
- DSEAR awareness training for employees
By combining COSHH and DSEAR expertise, MBO Safety Services ensures your organisation is protected from both health hazards and explosive atmospheres.
If you require with assistance with COSHH and DSEAR, simply get in touch with our team on 08000 842 297 or info@mbo.ltd.