COSHH Training Course

COSHH Awareness Training – Online Course

Course overview
This online COSHH awareness course introduces the principles of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and explains how hazardous substances can affect workplace health and safety. Learners explore how to identify potential hazards, assess risks, reduce exposure and apply appropriate control measures. The course takes approximately one hour, carries one CPD point and provides a CPD-accredited certificate upon successful completion of the online quiz.

Please note: This is an introductory Level 1 awareness course designed to develop theoretical knowledge of COSHH and safe working practices. It does not replace practical instruction, specialist training or additional role-specific training that an employer may require.

What the course covers
• Introduction to COSHH and its core principles
• Understanding substances hazardous to health
• Recognising workplace hazards and potential routes of exposure
• COSHH risk assessments and risk identification
• Preventing and reducing exposure to hazardous substances
• Control measures and their practical application
• Substitution of hazardous substances
• Exposure limits and monitoring
• Chemical safety data sheets and substance labelling
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances
• Permits to work
• Health surveillance
• Employee responsibilities and training
• Preparing for emergencies involving hazardous substances
• Communication, reporting and escalation of safety concerns
• An overview of COSHH in health and social care and other workplace settings

Who is it for?
This course is intended for individuals who work with, handle, store or may be exposed to hazardous substances as part of their role. Its introductory content also makes it suitable for induction, refresher training and general awareness development.

It may be relevant to:
• Healthcare and social care staff
• Cleaners and maintenance workers
• Laboratory technicians and researchers
• Manufacturing and production staff
• Construction workers
• Facilities and operations managers
• Health and safety managers and officers
• Environmental health professionals
• Employees working with chemicals, solvents, cleaning products or other potentially hazardous substances
• Supervisors and staff responsible for workplace safety

The course can also support organisations seeking to improve staff awareness of hazardous substances and encourage safer working practices.

Practical benefits
• Develop a clearer understanding of COSHH principles and workplace responsibilities
• Improve awareness of hazards associated with hazardous substances
• Understand how risk assessments inform workplace safety measures
• Recognise ways to prevent or minimise exposure
• Understand the purpose of PPE and other control measures
• Support safer handling, storage and disposal practices
• Improve awareness of emergency procedures involving hazardous substances
• Recognise when incidents or concerns should be reported or escalated
• Support workplace induction and refresher training
• Obtain a CPD-accredited certificate after successfully completing the assessment

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the main principles and terminology associated with COSHH
• Identify substances that may pose a risk to health
• Recognise common workplace hazards and routes of exposure
• Understand the purpose of COSHH risk assessments
• Describe measures used to prevent or reduce exposure
• Identify appropriate control measures, including PPE and safe working practices
• Understand the role of safety data sheets and substance labelling
• Recognise the importance of monitoring and health surveillance
• Understand individual responsibilities and the limits of their role
• Communicate concerns and identify when reporting or further advice is necessary
• Understand the importance of preparation for emergencies involving hazardous substances

Is this training a legal requirement?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations are intended to protect workers from risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances. The course introduces learners to relevant responsibilities and the importance of managing these risks in the workplace. Training needs depend on the work being undertaken, the substances involved and the responsibilities of individual employees. This awareness course does not, by itself, establish that an organisation has met every applicable legal or workplace training requirement.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online quiz at the end of the course. Successful completion leads to a free CPD-accredited digital certificate, which can be downloaded and printed. The course carries one CPD point and takes approximately one hour to complete. Learners can study online at their own pace, with 12 months to complete the course following enrolment.