CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School COSHH exposure and control risk assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, including leaders, responsible persons, employees, maintenance workers, contractors and others who may be exposed. Not intended for independent schools.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
School activities in which COSHH-relevant substances are used, produced or otherwise present, including activities that may generate dust, fume, vapour, mist or gas. Record the specific activity, substance or process, location and people at risk for each entry.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Harmful substance or process not identified, including substances used, created by a process, or otherwise present. Record the substance or contaminant, product or process name, location, task and relevant label or safety data sheet information.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Confirm the substances and process-generated contaminants associated with the activity. Obtain and review current product labels and safety data sheets, identify relevant workplace exposure limits where applicable, and record any uncertainty requiring supplier or competent-person advice. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Inhalation exposure to dust, fume, vapour, mist or gas, including contaminants generated during cutting, grinding, heating, mixing, spraying, decanting, cleaning or other school activities.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Describe how airborne exposure could occur and identify the specific task and people affected. Consider whether the substance or process can be eliminated, substituted, enclosed or handled through a closed system. Where required by the assessment, specify appropriately designed local exhaust ventilation or other exposure controls, together with maintenance, examination, testing and user-check arrangements. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Skin or eye exposure, including contact with liquids, pastes, powders, residues, contaminated surfaces, equipment, clothing or waste.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Describe the circumstances in which skin or eye contact could occur and identify controls specific to the substance and task. Consider elimination, substitution, containment, closed handling, suitable hygiene arrangements and any required personal protective equipment as a supplementary control. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Ingestion or transfer exposure, including contaminated hands, food, drink, personal items, surfaces, equipment or clothing.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Describe how ingestion or transfer could occur and specify proposed controls for storage, handling, hygiene, cleaning, waste and segregation of contaminated items. Consider whether the process or substance can be eliminated, substituted or contained. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure of people not routinely carrying out the task, including pupils where relevant, employees in nearby areas, maintenance workers, contractors, visitors and members of the public.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Identify every group who could be exposed, how exposure could occur, and whether access, timing, supervision, segregation, communication or contractor arrangements require further control. Include people who may enter during maintenance, cleaning, delivery, waste handling or emergency response. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure frequency and duration not established, causing the assessment to omit intermittent, occasional, extended or repeated exposure.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Record how often the activity occurs, the duration of each exposure, the number of people involved, peak or unusual tasks, and any changes in use or production. Consider both routine and non-routine activities, including cleaning, maintenance, spill response and disposal. Record the action owner and due date.
Local assessment and additional controls
Existing controls are absent, unsuitable, unverified or relied on without considering whether exposure can first be prevented or reduced at source.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Record only controls that are currently in place and verified for this specific substance, process and location in the existing-controls field. Separately identify further controls using the hierarchy of prevention: eliminate the substance or process where possible; substitute a safer alternative; change the process; enclose the activity; use closed transfer or handling; and use properly designed local exhaust ventilation where appropriate. Record the action owner and due date for each further control.
Local assessment and additional controls
Further action is not assigned, dated or linked to the specific exposure risk, leaving proposed controls without a clear implementation route.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- For every proposed control, record the required action, responsible owner, target due date, dependencies, resources or specialist advice needed, and the method and date for checking completion and effectiveness. Review the entry when substances, processes, equipment, people, frequency, duration or locations change, or when new information indicates that controls may need revision.
Local assessment and additional controls