I get this question all the time: “Do I need a separate COSHH risk assessment, or can I just include it in my normal risk assessment?”
Short answer? You need both—but they serve different purposes.
A general risk assessment looks at all the hazards in a workplace. Slips, trips, machinery, manual handling, fire risks, you name it. COSHH, on the other hand, zooms in on one particular category: hazardous substances and the health risks that come with them.
So while there’s a bit of overlap, COSHH sits alongside your general risk assessment—not inside it.
What a General Risk Assessment Covers
Your general risk assessment is the big picture. It looks at all the risks people might face during work activities—not just health, but safety too.
That includes things like:
- Slips and trips
- Working at height
- Electrical equipment
- Manual handling
- Fire safety
- Stress, lone working, etc.
It might mention hazardous substances in passing (“use of cleaning products”), but it won’t go deep into the health side—things like exposure limits, ventilation, or chemical reactions. That’s where COSHH comes in.
If you’re unsure whether you need a general risk assessment (spoiler: you do), start here: What is COSHH and How Does it Apply to Small Businesses?
What a COSHH Risk Assessment Does (That a General One Doesn’t)
COSHH risk assessments look specifically at substances that can cause harm to health—whether by breathing them in, touching them, swallowing them, or even just being around them too often.
We’re talking about:
- Cleaning products
- Paints, glues, oils
- Dusts, fumes, vapours
- Resins, inks, solvents
- Acids, alkalis, even flour in large quantities
So what makes COSHH different?
The COSHH assessment goes into detail: the exact substance, the route of exposure, the type of harm it causes, how people might be exposed, and what controls are in place to prevent it.
It’s a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations 2002, and it sits alongside your general assessment—not inside it.
Do I Really Need Two Separate Documents?
Yes—and here’s why:
1. They focus on different risks
COSHH is about health risks from substances. A general risk assessment looks at everything else.
2. They use different guidance and regs
COSHH assessments follow their own regulation. The general risk assessment falls under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
3. They require different levels of detail
A general risk assessment might just say “wear gloves when cleaning”. A COSHH assessment explains why gloves are needed, what type, what the substance does to your skin, and what to do if someone’s exposed.
When Can They Overlap?
There is some crossover—and that’s fine. Your general assessment might flag the use of hazardous substances as a risk, and then refer to the COSHH assessment for the details.
That’s actually a good thing. It keeps your general assessment clean and high-level, and gives COSHH its own proper space.
If you’re carrying out a COSHH assessment for the first time, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process.
So How Do I Organise It All Without Getting Lost in Paperwork?
Use a COSHH-specific template for the substances. Keep your general risk assessments separate. Refer between them where needed, but don’t try to cram it all into one monster document.
To make things easier, I’ve created a COSHH assessment template specifically for small businesses. It’s clean, practical, and helps you go straight from “I don’t know where to start” to “done and dusted” without hours of faffing.
Still Unsure What Needs a COSHH Assessment?
Here’s a rough guide:
If you’re working with or around any substance that has a hazard symbol, comes with a Safety Data Sheet, or creates dust, fumes, vapours, or mist—it’s probably a COSHH issue. This guide explains what COSHH covers in more detail.
And if you’re wondering who’s responsible for making sure all these assessments are in place—yep, it’s usually you. Employer, manager, or self-employed—it’s your duty to sort it. This article on COSHH responsibilities clears that up.
Bottom Line: COSHH Is a Piece of the Puzzle, Not the Whole Thing
If you’re running a business, managing health and safety means looking at the full picture. That means doing your general risk assessments and your COSHH ones—and making sure each one is specific, relevant, and actually useful.
So don’t mix them into one. Keep them clear, keep them separate, and make sure they speak to each other.
Need help reviewing what you’ve got? Want to make sure your COSHH assessments are on track? Or just want a decent COSHH template that won’t drive you mad? You know where to find me.