Is Your COSHH Folder Audit-Ready?
- Monica R
- May 10
- 2 min read
COSHH documentation is an important part of managing hazardous substances at work. Many businesses have a COSHH folder, but it is not always current, complete or easy to use.
An audit-ready COSHH folder should clearly show:
Which substances hazardous to health are used or stored on site?
Where are they stored?
Who may be exposed?
What controls are in place?
What PPE is required?
What to do in an emergency?
When the documents were last reviewed.
Common COSHH Documentation Gaps
Common issues include:
old products still listed on the COSHH register;
missing or outdated Safety Data Sheets;
COSHH assessments that do not reflect how products are actually used;
unclear PPE requirements;
poor labelling of decanted products;
missing training records;
no review dates or document ownership.
A Safety Data Sheet is useful, but it is not the same as a COSHH assessment. The assessment should consider how the product is used in your workplace and what controls are needed.
What Should You Check?
A simple COSHH self-audit should review:
COSHH register: Does it match the products actually held on site?
Safety Data Sheets: are they current and easy to access?
COSHH assessments: Do they explain the task, exposure routes, controls, PPE and emergency actions?
Storage and labelling: Are substances stored safely and clearly labelled?
Training records: Have staff been told how to use substances safely?
Review process: Are documents reviewed when products, tasks or arrangements change?
Romano Risk to Audit has created a free COSHH Documentation Audit Checklist to help UK businesses review their COSHH records and identify gaps.
The checklist can help you check your COSHH register, Safety Data Sheets, assessments, PPE information, training records, emergency arrangements and review dates.
Download the free COSHH Documentation Audit Checklist here.
Need Help?
Romano Risk to Audit provides practical health and safety compliance support for UK businesses, schools, contractors, office-based workplaces and facilities teams.
We can help with COSHH documentation reviews, risk assessments, training records, audit preparation, CHAS evidence and ISO support.
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