Skip to content

COSHH Risk Assessments for businesses in the South East & across the UK

We provide clear, practical COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Risk Assessments for businesses that work with hazardous substances that could affect health, including chemicals, fumes, vapours, mists and dusts. Our assessments focus on real exposure risks in your workplace – helping you meet your legal duties, protect employees and avoid unnecessary disruption or enforcement action.

 

COSHH can feel complex and time-consuming, particularly when guidance is dense or unclear. We take ownership of the process, translate the regulations into plain English and give you a proportionate, workable plan you can confidently follow – freeing up your time while ensuring health risks are properly identified, controlled and recorded.

Experience

720+ COSHH assessments completed

Where we work

Based in the South East, most of our work is in Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex & Essex.  However, for larger or multi-site COSHH assessments we can work with businesses nationwide.

Pricing

92% of assessments cost between £1,175 – £3,750

Guarantee

We provide highly professional and qualified COSHH Risk Assessments that guarantee you will never have to worry about a visit from the HSE, provided you adhere to our recommendations.

Our Clients

Before deciding whether we’re the right fit for your COSHH Risk Assessment, we believe it’s important you see the kinds of clients we’ve supported over the past 20+ years.

You can explore a selection of those via clicking on the logos below.

Royal British Legion Industries Scott Care SIRS Navigation Stirling Lloyd Polychem Limited Transcover Vantia British Transport Police CW Fire CW Fire Dragon LNG EMR Gallaghers

COSHH Risk Assessments at a glance

What is a COSHH Risk Assessment?

A COSHH risk assessment identifies how hazardous substances used or present in your workplace could harm people’s health.
It looks at substances such as chemicals, fumes, vapours, mists, dusts and biological agents, how people may be exposed to them, and whether existing control measures are adequate.

The risk assessment ensures suitable controls are in place to prevent or minimise exposure, and that these controls are clear, practical, proportionate and compliant with COSHH legislation.

Who is this service for?

This service is suitable for any business that uses, stores, creates or disposes of substances that could pose a risk to health, including:

  • Manufacturers
  • Workshops and engineering environments
  • Automotive and maintenance operations
  • Food production and processing
  • Laboratories and chemical storage areas
  • Businesses using solvents, aerosols, cleaning products or adhesives

If you’re unsure whether COSHH applies to your business, we can quickly advise you – please contact us for a no-obligation discussion.

What outcomes can you expect?

With our COSHH Risk Assessments you can expect:

  • A clear understanding of health risks arising from hazardous substances
  • Identification of who may be exposed and how exposure could occur
  • A practical, prioritised action plan tailored to your activities
  • Compliance with COSHH duties, including suitable control measures and monitoring
  • Improved protection for employees and others, with clear evidence of due diligence
  • A structured, professional report suitable for insurers, clients and regulators

Where we work

Although mainly providing assessments in the South East UK, for larger or multi-site businesses, we can be available to provide COSHH assessments nationwide.

Ready to talk about COSHH Risk Assessments?

Get in touch

Is a COSHH Assessment a legal requirement?

Yes. If your business uses, stores, creates or exposes people to hazardous substances, the COSHH Regulations require you to assess the risks and put suitable controls in place.

This can include:

  • Chemicals and chemical products
  • Solvents, cleaners and degreasers
  • Fumes, vapours, mists and gases that may be inhaled
  • Dusts generated by work processes (for example cutting, sanding or mixing)
  • Substances with skin, eye or respiratory health effects
  • Biological agents and process-generated substances

Under COSHH, employers are required to:

  • Identify hazardous substances present in the workplace
  • Assess how people may be exposed and who could be affected
  • Prevent exposure where possible, or adequately control it
  • Implement and maintain appropriate control measures
  • Provide suitable information, instruction and training
  • Monitor exposure and health where required
  • Keep assessments under regular review

If you’re unsure whether COSHH applies to your activities or substances, we can give you a clear answer quickly and without obligation.

How our COSHH Risk Assessment service works

1

Understand your operations

We start with an initial discussion to understand your work activities, substances used, quantities, frequency of use and who may be exposed.

We review Safety Data Sheets (SDS), existing COSHH assessments, procedures, training records and any relevant monitoring or health surveillance information.

2

On-site COSHH survey

A competent COSHH assessor visits your site to identify hazardous substances present, how they are used, generated or stored, and how exposure could occur.

We look at work practices, handling methods, storage arrangements, ventilation, segregation, PPE, housekeeping and existing control measures.

3

Zoning and hazard evaluation

We assess the level of risk to health by considering routes of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, ingestion), duration and frequency of exposure, and the effectiveness of current controls.

Where required, we identify the need for improved engineering controls, procedural changes, monitoring or health surveillance.

4

Recommendations and compliance plan

You receive a clear, prioritised action plan designed to achieve COSHH compliance in a practical and proportionate way.

Our recommendations focus on sensible, cost-effective controls that work in real workplaces, rather than unnecessary or overly complex solutions.

5

Final report and optional presentation

You receive a structured, COSHH-compliant report that clearly documents hazards, risks, control measures and required actions.

Additional options include:

  • Presentation of findings to managers or staff
  • Support with implementing control measures
  • Review of progress after 6–12 months to assess effectiveness and update assessments.

What our COSHH Risk Assessment service includes

Our COSHH assessments cover everything required for legislative compliance and practical risk reduction.

Hazardous substances review

  • Identify hazardous substances present
  • Review SDS and classifications
  • Assess storage and handling
  • Evaluate quantities and usage

Process & exposure assessment

  • Assess tasks generating exposure
  • Identify exposure routes
  • Identify who may be exposed
  • Review handling and disposal

Control measures assessment

  • Assess existing control measures
  • Review ventilation and containment
  • Evaluate PPE suitability
  • Identify monitoring needs

Safe systems of work

  • Apply COSHH control hierarchy
  • Recommend exposure controls
  • Define safe working procedures
  • Specify training requirements

Health surveillance (where required)

  • Identify surveillance requirements
  • Recommend monitoring approach
  • Advise on record keeping

Action plan and next steps

  • Prioritised action plan
  • Clear implementation guidance
  • Proportionate risk-based solutions
  • Optional follow-up support

Ready to talk about COSHH Risk Assessments?

Get in touch

Pricing for COSHH Risk Assessments

Pricing for COSHH Risk Assessments

We price COSHH assessments based on:

  • Size and complexity of your site
  • Number and type of hazardous substances
  • Volume, frequency and usage
  • Number of processes or activities assessed
  • Level of support or follow-up required

Recent pricing ranges

Since 2024, our COSHH Risk Assessments have varied depending on requirements:

  • Overall range: £575 – £4,500
  • Typical one-site surveys £1,175 – £3,750
  • 89% of surveys were under £2,400

Our Guarantee To You

Our extensive experience in COSHH Risk Assessments means that, in the unlikely event of any contact from the HSE regarding your management of hazardous substances, we will be available (free of charge) to support you in your response.

All we ask is that you have followed and implemented the recommendations we provide as part of our work with you.

Why choose The Safety Effect for your COSHH Risk Assessment?

1

Exceptional expertise: 720+ COSHH assessments completed across the UK

2

Practical, proportionate recommendations – never over-engineered

3

Fair, transparent pricing with no inflated overheads

4

Highly qualified consultants with strong sector experience

5

UK-wide delivery with a strong regional base

6

Repeat clients spanning 10+ years who trust our advice and value our approach

We provide COSHH Risk Assessments for clients of all sizes throughout the UK.

We are based in the South East and provide
COSHH Risk Assessments for businesses across Kent,
Sussex, Surrey, London, Essex and the wider UK.

Our consultants support clients with single-site and
multi-site operations, combining on-site assessments with
practical, proportionate advice that helps you
understand, control and evidence your COSHH risks.

Ready to talk about COSHH Risk Assessments?

Get in touch

COSHH Risk Assessment FAQs

Do all businesses need a COSHH risk assessment?

+ –

If your business uses, stores or generates substances that could harm health, COSHH applies. This includes many everyday activities involving chemicals, dusts, fumes or cleaning products.

What substances are covered under COSHH?

+ –

COSHH covers substances hazardous to health, including chemicals, fumes, vapours, mists, dusts and biological agents. Even common materials like cleaning products or wood dust may be included.

What does a COSHH risk assessment involve?

+ –

A COSHH assessment looks at the substances you use, how people may be exposed, and whether your current controls are sufficient. It results in clear, practical actions to reduce or control risk.

How disruptive is a COSHH risk assessment?

+ –

We aim to keep disruption to a minimum. Most assessments involve observation of activities, discussions with staff and review of documentation, without interrupting day-to-day operations.

What happens if I don’t have any COSHH assessments yet?

+ –

That’s more common than you might think. We guide you through the process from scratch, making it straightforward and ensuring you end up with a clear, compliant system in place.

Related Insights

Ready to talk about a COSHH Risk Assessment?

If you want clarity, reassurance and a practical route to COSHH compliance, we can help. There is no obligation and no sales pressure – just straight answers and exceptional expertise.