Legal basis: This assessment is required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (SI 2002/2677). Under Regulation 6, every employer — including self-employed persons — must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks created by work with hazardous substances, and implement the appropriate controls. Failure to conduct a COSHH assessment is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
1. Business Details
Business name: [Business Name]
Assessor name and role: [Your Name], sole trader / [Director / Owner]
Business address: [Your Address]
Contact: [Your Email] | [Your Phone]
Work activities covered by this assessment: domestic and/or commercial cleaning, including kitchen, bathroom, floor, and general surface cleaning at client premises.
Workers covered: [Your Name] (sole trader) [and any sub-contractors — list names or "and any appointed sub-contractors who have received this assessment"].
2. Substances in Use
The following substances are regularly used in the course of cleaning work. Each is assessed below. All products must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS). Copies of SDS sheets for each product listed are held by [Your Name] and are available on request.
| Product / Substance |
Type / Active ingredient |
Typical use |
Supplier / Brand |
SDS held? |
| Multi-surface cleaner |
Surfactant-based, pH neutral |
Worktops, tiles, general surfaces |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| Toilet / bathroom cleaner |
Hydrochloric acid or citric acid |
WC bowls, limescale removal |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| Bleach / disinfectant |
Sodium hypochlorite (typically 3–5%) |
Sanitising, mould removal, drains |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| Oven / degreaser |
Caustic (sodium hydroxide) or solvent-based |
Oven interiors, extractor fans, grease |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| Glass / window cleaner |
Isopropyl alcohol or ammonia-free surfactant |
Mirrors, glass surfaces, windows |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| Floor cleaner / mopping solution |
Surfactant, pH neutral or alkaline |
Hard floors — wood, tile, vinyl, laminate |
[Brand] |
Yes |
| [Add further products as required] |
[Active ingredient] |
[Use] |
[Brand] |
[Yes / No] |
3. Risk Assessment — Hazards, Exposure Routes, and Controls
Important: Never mix bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with acidic toilet cleaners, vinegar, or ammonia-based products. The resulting chlorine gas is toxic and has caused serious injuries in domestic settings. This prohibition must be observed at all times.
| Substance |
Hazard |
Exposure route |
Likelihood (1–5) |
Severity (1–5) |
Risk rating |
Controls in place |
Residual risk |
| Multi-surface cleaner |
Skin/eye irritant |
Skin contact, splash to eyes |
3 |
2 |
Low (6) |
Nitrile gloves worn; eye protection available if splashing risk; product used per label |
Low |
| Toilet / bathroom cleaner (acidic) |
Corrosive — skin burns, severe eye damage (GHS label Cat. 1) |
Skin contact, inhalation of fumes, eye splash |
3 |
3 |
Medium (9) |
Nitrile gloves; ventilation (window/door open); avoid mixing with bleach; eye wash accessible; SDS reviewed |
Low |
| Bleach / sodium hypochlorite |
Corrosive; harmful if inhaled; toxic if mixed with acid or ammonia |
Skin/eye contact, inhalation |
3 |
4 |
Medium (12) |
Nitrile gloves; ventilation essential; never mixed with other chemicals; diluted to label rate; container kept sealed when not in use; eye wash/rinse facility available |
Low |
| Oven / caustic degreaser |
Corrosive — skin burns, serious eye damage (GHS Cat. 1) |
Skin contact, eye splash, inhalation of aerosol |
3 |
4 |
Medium (12) |
Heavy-duty nitrile gloves (minimum 0.3 mm); safety glasses; oven door kept open during application; oven cool/off before use; 15-minute rinse available if skin contact occurs; SDS at hand |
Low |
| Glass / window cleaner |
Eye/skin irritant; flammable if alcohol-based |
Skin/eye splash, inhalation of spray mist |
2 |
1 |
Low (2) |
Gloves worn; product used per label; no naked flames if IPA-based |
Low |
| Floor cleaner |
Skin/eye irritant at concentrated levels |
Skin contact, prolonged inhalation of vapour |
2 |
2 |
Low (4) |
Gloves worn; diluted per label; ventilated area; wet-floor warning sign placed |
Low |
Risk rating = Likelihood × Severity. Low ≤ 8 · Medium 9–14 · High ≥ 15. Ratings reflect controls as applied.
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The following PPE is provided and worn as indicated by each product's SDS and the risk assessment above:
- Nitrile gloves (minimum 0.15 mm, Category II) — worn for all cleaning tasks involving chemical products. Replaced if torn, punctured, or at the end of each working day. [Brand/spec — e.g. "Unigloves Pearl Nitrile, 0.1 mm, Size M"]
- Safety glasses / eye protection — kept in the cleaning kit; worn when using caustic oven cleaners, acidic toilet cleaners, or any product with a splash risk.
- Apron (optional but recommended) — worn during oven cleaning or any high-spray task.
- PPE is inspected before each use and replaced when worn, torn, or degraded.
PPE is a last resort, not a primary control. Ventilation, correct dilution, and safe working methods are implemented first. PPE is additional protection for residual risk only.
5. Storage and Transport
- All chemicals are stored in their original, correctly-labelled containers. Labels are not removed or obscured.
- Products are stored in a [locked cupboard / sealed plastic caddy / locked vehicle boot], away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Bleach and acidic cleaners are stored separately to prevent accidental mixing.
- Chemicals are transported in a sealed, leak-proof caddy or [branded carry case] in the vehicle. The caddy is secured to prevent spillage during transit.
- No more than [5 litres total / working-day quantities] of any substance are carried at any one time.
6. Spillage and First Aid Procedures
In the event of a chemical spillage or accidental exposure, the following actions must be taken immediately:
- Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse the affected area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation or burning persists, seek medical attention. Do not apply creams or ointments before rinsing.
- Eye contact: Irrigate immediately with clean water or sterile eye wash for a minimum of 15 minutes, holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if fitted and able. Seek medical attention without delay.
- Inhalation: Move the casualty to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult or the casualty is unconscious, call 999. Do not re-enter a gassed space without appropriate respiratory protection.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Call 999 or NHS 111. Show the product label or SDS to medical staff.
- Spillage (surface): Ventilate the area. Contain the spill with absorbent material (paper towels, cat litter). Dispose of safely in sealed bags. Do not wash acid and bleach spills into the same drain simultaneously.
First aid kit location: [Vehicle / cleaning caddy / describe]. Kit is inspected [monthly / quarterly] and restocked as needed.
7. Waste Disposal
- Diluted cleaning solutions are disposed of via the client's drainage system unless the client instructs otherwise.
- Concentrated, unused, or contaminated product is disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's SDS and local authority guidance — not poured down the drain undiluted.
- Empty containers are rinsed, recycled if accepted, or disposed of as household/general waste per local authority rules.
- Contaminated wipes, cloths, or PPE are sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of as general waste unless the SDS specifies otherwise.
8. Health Surveillance
Self-employed cleaners working alone are not subject to formal health surveillance under Schedule 6 of the COSHH Regulations (which applies to specific prescribed substances and processes). However, [Your Name] will:
- Monitor for symptoms of occupational dermatitis (dry, cracked, or itchy skin on hands) and cease using any product suspected of causing a reaction until an alternative is identified.
- Consult a GP if skin, respiratory, or eye symptoms persist after implementing controls.
- Report any health concerns that appear connected to chemical exposure to the relevant GP and, if appropriate, to the HSE.
9. Training and Information
[Your Name] has read, understood, and signed this assessment. Any sub-contractors working under this business must be provided with a copy of this assessment and sign the acknowledgement below before commencing work.
Training record: [Date of induction / COSHH awareness training completed — or "self-directed reading of SDS sheets, completed [date]"]
10. Review
This assessment must be reviewed:
- Annually (next review: [Date — 12 months]);
- Immediately if a new substance is introduced to the working routine;
- Following any accident, near-miss, or reported health effect;
- If working methods change significantly (e.g. adding oven cleaning or commercial premises).