COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) training
This training covers how to safely handle, store and dispose of hazardous substances in the care setting, including cleaning chemicals, medications and clinical waste. You will learn our procedures to protect yourself, residents and colleagues from harm. Understanding COSHH is essential for maintaining a safe environment every day.
What This Training Covers
A clear, practical grounding in coshh (control of substances hazardous to health).
This training covers how to safely handle, store and dispose of hazardous substances in the care setting, including cleaning chemicals, medications and clinical waste. You will learn our procedures to protect yourself, residents and colleagues from harm. Understanding COSHH is essential for maintaining a safe environment every day.
Learning Outcomes
By the end, your staff will be able to:
What Your Team Will Learn
A closer look at the coshh (control of substances hazardous to health) module.
The module is built in short, practical sections. Each one teaches a part of the topic, then applies it to a real care scenario and checks understanding before moving on.
What COSHH Means in the care setting
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. These are substances that can harm your health if not handled properly. In the care setting, hazardous substances include cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, medications, bodily fluids and clinical waste like sharps. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require us to protect staff and residents from these risks. We do this through safe procedures, proper storage and correct use of protective equipment.
Safe Storage of Hazardous Substances
All hazardous substances must be stored securely to prevent accidents. Keep chemicals in their original containers with labels intact. Store them in locked cupboards away from food, medication and resident areas. Never transfer chemicals to different containers like drink bottles. Keep cleaning products separate from clinical waste. Check storage areas regularly to ensure containers are not leaking or damaged.
Using Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, protects you when handling hazardous substances. Always check what PPE is needed before you start. This information is on the product label or safety data sheet. Common PPE includes disposable gloves, aprons and eye protection. Put PPE on before handling the substance and remove it carefully afterwards. Wash your hands thoroughly after removing PPE. Never reuse disposable PPE.
Safe Disposal of Sharps
Sharps are medical instruments like needles and lancets that can cause injury and spread infection. Our policy requires sharps to be disposed of immediately in proper sharps containers that meet ISO 23907 standards. Never recap needles. Place the sharps container close to where you are working. Never overfill the container; close and replace it when it reaches the fill line. Sharps containers must be stored securely and collected for incineration promptly. If you have a needlestick injury, follow the accident procedure immediately.
Handling Chemical Spills Safely
If you spill a hazardous chemical, act quickly but carefully. Do not try to clean it up if you are not trained or do not have the right equipment. Warn others to stay away from the area. Ventilate the room if safe to do so by opening windows. Check the product label or safety data sheet for specific spill instructions. Report the spill to your supervisor immediately. For large spills or if anyone is injured, follow emergency procedures. Always complete an incident report.
Protecting Residents from Hazardous Substances
Our duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 includes protecting residents from hazardous substances. Never leave chemicals unattended during cleaning. Keep residents away from areas being cleaned with strong products. Ensure good ventilation when using chemicals. Store all substances securely after use. Be especially careful with residents who have dementia or confusion, as they may not understand dangers. If a resident is exposed to a hazardous substance, get medical help immediately and report the incident.
Key Points Covered
The things your team must remember.
- Hazardous substances include cleaning chemicals, medications, bodily fluids and sharps. All must be handled with care.
- Always store hazardous substances in original labelled containers in locked cupboards away from residents.
- Use appropriate PPE before handling hazardous substances and dispose of it safely afterwards.
- Dispose of sharps immediately in proper containers. Never recap needles or overfill sharps bins.
- Report all spills, exposures and incidents immediately. Do not clean up chemical spills without proper training.
- Protect residents by keeping them away from cleaning areas and ensuring all hazardous substances are stored securely.
Who and how often
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) is refreshed every year, for the staff in your care setting whose roles require it.
CQC and standards
Supports the training evidence CQC expects to see for a well-run, safe care setting.
How CareStream Delivers It
Not a slideshow once a year. Training that sticks.
CareStream delivers coshh (control of substances hazardous to health) training in the hub your team already uses, grounded in best practice and your own policies, so it fits your care setting and not a generic template.
Teach, then assess
Short teaching sections and a real care scenario, then an assessment that checks understanding.
In any language
Staff complete it in over 60 languages, while your records stay in English.
Learn and retry
A wrong answer triggers a short follow-up lesson and a fresh question, so the gap is closed.
Renewals handled
Automatic reminders at 90, 30 and 7 days, with a live compliance dashboard.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Give your team coshh (control of substances hazardous to health) training that actually sticks.
See how CareStream delivers your mandatory training in the hub, in any language.