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IIRSM & Institute of Hospitality Approved

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Course overview

Every single day, millions of workers across the UK come into contact with chemical agents, dusts, fumes, and cleaning products that pose a significant threat to their long-term health if mishandled. Under British safety laws, managing these risks is not just a best-practice recommendation; it is a strict statutory requirement. Identifying hidden dangers and knowing exactly how to control exposure is the foundation of a healthy working environment.

Our comprehensive COSHH eLearning course provides a complete, modern guide to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. This digital training package strips away complex legal jargon, breaking down safety requirements into clear, actionable principles. By exploring safety labels, chemical properties, and exposure controls, this course builds an alert, safe, and fully compliant workplace.

(Please Note: The course duration shown to the right is based on the amount of video content shown and is rounded off. It does not account in any way for loading time or thinking time on the questions).  

Recommended System Requirements

To ensure a smooth, uninterrupted multimedia learning experience, please verify that your digital setup meets the following minimum criteria:

  • Browser: The latest version of a secure web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari).
  • Video: Up-to-date graphics and video drivers.
  • Memory: A minimum of 1GB RAM or higher.
  • Download Speed: A stable broadband connection with speeds of 3Mbps+.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

Hazardous materials are found in almost every sector, making this training relevant far beyond heavy industrial plants. This course is specifically designed for:

  • Frontline Workers: Hairdressers, cleaners, construction workers, mechanics, and laboratory staff who use or produce hazardous materials daily.
  • Supervisors and Line Managers: Individuals who oversee teams working with chemical agents and are responsible for enforcing safety protocols on the shop floor.
  • Health and Safety Professionals: Anyone looking to refresh their knowledge of substance classification laws and corporate risk reduction methods.
  • Operations Managers: Personnel responsible for purchasing, storing, and disposing of workplace chemicals safely.

What Learners Will Gain

By the end of this digital training programme, participants will be able to:

  • Recognise Hazardous Substances: Identify what qualifies as a hazardous material under UK law, ranging from obvious toxic chemicals to everyday dusts, fumes, and everyday cleaning products.
  • Decode Safety Labeling: Understand modern international hazard pictograms and warning symbols, ensuring immediate clarity on chemical dangers.
  • Navigate Regulatory Frameworks: Grasp the essential purposes of chemical control regulations and understand how they protect human health and environmental safety.
  • Implement Exposure Controls: Apply the hierarchy of control measures effectively, making correct use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Handle Emergencies Confidently: Respond swiftly and correctly to chemical spills, skin contact, or accidental inhalation incidents to prevent injury escalation.

Benefits of COSHH eLearning course Training

Enrolling your workforce in this dedicated training program brings significant operational and regulatory advantages to your company:

  • A Healthier Workforce: Educating staff on proper handling procedures drastically reduces cases of occupational dermatitis, asthma, and long-term illnesses.
  • Full Legal Compliance: Meets your explicit duties under UK health and safety legislation, avoiding costly investigations, enforcement notices, or legal fines.
  • Confident Risk Management: Equips your management team with the insights required to conduct thorough substance risk assessments and choose safer chemical alternatives.
  • Reduced Environmental Footprint: Teaching correct storage and disposal methods prevents accidental chemical spills, safeguarding the local ecosystem.

Flexible Online Learning

Fitting vital compliance training into busy shift patterns can be logistically challenging. Our COSHH eLearning course is built completely around a flexible, self-paced online model that accommodates any schedule.

Learners can log into the platform from any location and transition seamlessly between desktop computers, tablets, or smartphones. The module combines premium video content with interactive knowledge checkpoints, ensuring the material remains interesting, highly scannable, and easy to retain.

Certificate Validity

Upon successful completion of the end-of-course assessment, learners will instantly receive a digital certificate.

This certification remains valid for 2 years from the date of completion. To maintain robust safety standards, refresher training is recommended every two years. However, if your business introduces new chemical processes, if national legislation updates, or if internal risk controls are modified, we advise retraining your staff sooner to ensure continuous alignment.


Frequently Asked Questions

What substances are legally classified as hazardous to health?

Under standard classification regulations, any substance that is toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant, or carcinogenic falls under this umbrella. This includes commercial chemicals, fumes, dusts, gases, and even certain biological agents.

Does this course explain how to do a risk assessment?

Yes. The course introduces the core steps involved in evaluating chemical risks, highlighting how to identify hazards, assess exposure levels, and implement practical preventative measures.

Can staff complete this training remotely?

Absolutely. Because the platform is fully cloud-based, employees can complete their modules from home, on the move, or at their regular workstations.

What happens if a user fails the final test?

There is no pressure if a learner does not pass the final quiz on their first attempt. They have up to three attempts at each module. If they fail a module for the third time, the module will become locked and our admin team would need to reset the module for them. We can only allow 3 resets in total, however if the learner was to fail on these additional attempts, then the course would be marked as failed.

Conclusion

The dangers associated with workplace substances might often be invisible, but the consequences of poor chemical safety are entirely real. By investing in our COSHH eLearning course, you provide your team with the actionable knowledge required to work confidently and securely alongside hazardous materials. Secure your corporate compliance, safeguard your employees' long-term health, and foster a proactive safety culture starting today.


Course Modules

Module NumberModule NamePass % Required
1Introducing COSHH70%
2Different Types of Hazard70%
3Different Types of Exposure70%
4Regulations and Approved Labelling70%
5Assessing COSHH Risks70%
6The Risk Assessment in Practice70%
7Exposure Control70%
8Staying in Control70%
9Training and Emergency Planning70%
10Course Summary70%

Course details

Approved By:IIRSM & Institute of Hospitality
Certificate Validity:2 Years
Duration:125 minutes

£15.00
5.0Based on 105+ reviews