# COSHH assessment examples

> 15 filled COSHH examples: fuels, oils, cleaners, cement, solvent paint, adhesive, foam, dust and diesel exhaust, plus a register. Read one, then do your own.
> Web page: https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples

Filled COSHH assessments for the substances and dust on site. Read one, download it, then do your own from the blank or from your data sheet.

[Get the blank](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-template?design=twoPage)

## Choose a substance or task

- [**Wet cement, mortar and concrete on a house refurbishment**Bricklaying and small pours. The risk is skin: dermatitis and burns.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=cement-and-mortar#example)
- [**Petrol for a cut-off saw and generator**Refuelling small plant on site. Fire first, then what is in the vapour.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=petrol#example)
- [**Diesel for a dumper, generator and space heater**Not the same as petrol: a different hazard entry, skin first, and oil storage rules.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=diesel#example)
- [**Sodium hypochlorite cleaner in the welfare cabin**Cleaning the toilet and cabin. Burns to skin and eyes, and gas if mixed.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=bleach-cleaner#example)
- [**Washing-up liquid and general detergents**The right answer is a low-risk record, not a two-page assessment.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=washing-up-liquid#example)
- [**Aerosol penetrating lubricant**A small can with an extremely flammable propellant, used in tight spaces.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=aerosol-lubricant#example)
- [**Cutting blocks, kerbs and flags with a cut-off saw**Made by the work, so no safety data sheet comes with it. Lung disease is the risk.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=silica-dust#example)
- [**Sanding and sawing softwood, hardwood and MDF**Second-fix joinery. An asthma risk, and hardwood is also a cancer risk.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=wood-dust#example)
- [**Solvent gloss paint and white spirit on a house refurbishment**Brushing doors and trim, then cleaning brushes. A flammable liquid with a vapour and skin risk.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=solvent-paint-white-spirit#example)
- [**Hydraulic oil on a mini excavator and breaker**Topping up and changing a split hose. Low hazard on the sheet, but a pinhole jet can go through skin.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=hydraulic-oil#example)
- [**Cutting and sanding plasterboard on a drylining job**Made by the work, so no safety data sheet comes with the dust. Low in silica, but sanding makes a lot of it.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=plasterboard-dust#example)
- [**Solvent contact adhesive for sheet flooring and worktop laminate**Spreading adhesive in a small room. Fire first, then the solvent vapour.2 pages, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=contact-adhesive#example)
- [**Generator and dumper exhaust at a partly enclosed basement**Made by the work, so no safety data sheet comes with it. Worst in an enclosed space, or with blue or black smoke.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=diesel-exhaust#example)
- [**Gun-grade PU foam around window frames**A few cans a few times a year. A bead from a gun, not a spray. The isocyanate can cause asthma, and the can is extremely flammable.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=expanding-foam#example)
- [**A COSHH register for a house refurbishment**Every product and dust on the job, one line each, pointing to its assessment. It does not replace them.1 page, checked 2 November 2026](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-examples?job=refurb-register#example)

## Cement and mortar COSHH assessment example

Wet cement, mortar and concrete on a house refurbishment

Bricklaying and small pours. The risk is skin: dermatitis and burns.

[Read your sheet](https://complyonsite.com/tools/safety-data-sheet-to-excel-converter) [Download PDF](https://complyonsite.com/coshh/examples/cement-and-mortar.pdf) [Download Excel](https://complyonsite.com/coshh/examples/cement-and-mortar.xlsx) [Download Word](https://complyonsite.com/coshh/examples/cement-and-mortar.docx)

### What to change

- Your supplier’s sheet and its date
- Where, how much and how long on your job
- Who mixes, and who checks their skin

### Sources

- [HSE: cement (CIS26)](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis26.pdf)
- [HSE: cement in construction](https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/cement.htm)
- [HSE: EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/eh40.pdf)
- [HSE: first aid at work (INDG347)](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf)

Checked 2 November 2026

### The same sheet as text

Worked example. Typical product. Your supplier’s safety data sheet governs.

### Sheet 1: COSHH Assessment

#### Hollins & Reed Contracting Ltd

1. **Project or site** House refurbishment, House 7
2. **Assessment ref** CA-001
3. **Date assessed** 5 October 2026

#### Substance

1. **Product or substance** Cement, mortar, concrete, wet
2. **Supplier** your supplier
3. **SDS date** your sheet’s date
4. **Form (liquid, dust…)** Powder, then wet paste

#### The work

1. **Task** Mortar, blocks, small pours
2. **Where** Rear extension, outdoors
3. **How often** Most working days
4. **How long each time** Up to 6 hours a day
5. **Amount used** About 10 bags of 25 kg a week
6. **Used with** Sand, water

#### Storage and waste

1. **Storage** Dry, off the ground, oldest first: the chromate reducer only works for a limited time.
2. **Handling** Bags of 25 kg: two people or a barrow. Open bags outdoors.
3. **Waste** Set waste as builders’ rubble. Empty bags in a sealed sack.

#### Hazards (H codes)

1. **No GB list entry. Your sheet gives the codes.** Harmful or irritant: yes. Corrosive: yes. Toxic: no. Serious health hazard: yes. Cancer or asthma: no. Flammable: no

#### Exposure limit

1. **WEL, 8-hour** Inhalable 10, respirable 4 mg/m³
2. **WEL, 15-minute** None listed
3. **Monitoring result** Not measured
4. **Measured on** Not measured

#### How it gets in

1. **Skin, then dust from bags** Breathing in: yes. Skin: yes. Eyes: yes. Swallowing: no. Puncture: no

#### Who could be harmed

1. **Bricklayer, labourer. Eczema or allergy.** People doing it: yes. Others nearby: no. Cleaners, fitters: no. Visitors, public: no. Higher risk: yes

#### Health effects

1. **Wet cement is highly alkaline: trapped on the skin it can burn quickly, and it can burn the eyes.**
2. **Irritant and allergic dermatitis. Once sensitised, any exposure may trigger it. Dust irritates nose and throat.**

#### Risk of ill health

1. **Before controls** Negligible: no. Remote: no. Possible: no. Probable: yes. Minor: no. Significant: yes. Serious: no
2. **With controls** Negligible: no. Remote: yes. Possible: no. Probable: no. Minor: no. Significant: yes. Serious: no

### Sheet 2: COSHH Assessment

#### Hollins & Reed Contracting Ltd

1. **Project or site** House refurbishment, House 7
2. **Assessment ref** CA-001
3. **Date assessed** 5 October 2026

#### Controls

1. **Avoid or swap it** In place: Ready-mixed for pours. Site mixer only for mortar. Still needed: Ask for pre-mixed mortar next.
2. **Change the method** In place: Long-handled tools. Knee boards when screeding.
3. **Extract at source** In place: Not used: open air. Open bags outdoors, slowly.
4. **Fewer, for less time** In place: Two people only on mixing.
5. **Washing, welfare** In place: Warm water, soap, towels. Wash at breaks and after work. Still needed: Skin cream at the cabin.

#### PPE: type or standard

1. **EN 374 nitrile or PVC gloves. Trousers over boots.** Gloves: yes. Eye protection: yes. RPE: no. Overalls: yes. Boots: yes

#### If it goes wrong

1. **Spill or leak** Scrape up, keep out of drains, let it set, bag it.
2. **Fire** Does not burn.
3. **Breathed in or swallowed** Move to fresh air. Rinse mouth with water.
4. **On skin or in eyes** Skin: wash off, flood for 20 minutes, treat as a burn. Eyes: flush at least 10 minutes, then hospital.

#### Also needed

1. **Exposure monitoring** Yes: no. No: yes. Detail: Dust is brief and outdoors.
2. **Health surveillance** Yes: yes. No: no. Detail: Skin checks by a responsible person. Next due: Weekly
3. **LEV examination** Yes: no. No: yes. Detail: None used.
4. **RPE face-fit test** Yes: no. No: yes. Detail: None used.
5. **Training, supervision** Yes: yes. No: no. Detail: Dermatitis signs, washing, gloves. Next due: Before start

#### Further action

1. **Train a responsible person for skin checks** Who: DH. By when: Before start
2. **Baseline skin check on both workers** Who: DH. By when: Before start

#### Date

1. **5 October 2026** By: DH. Review: reason and changes: First issue. Next review: 5 October 2027

#### Sign-off

1. **Assessed by** Dan Hollins
2. **Date** 5 October 2026
3. **Shared with workers on** 6 October 2026

## What a filled COSHH assessment shows

Five things, in this order.

- ### The substance and its H codes
  From the supplier’s sheet, with its date. The sheet is your source; the form records what you did with it.
- ### The work: how much, how often, how long
  What is done, where, how much, how often and how long. The same product can be a different risk on a different job.
- ### Who and how it gets in
  The person doing it, anyone nearby, anyone at higher risk, and the routes in.
- ### Controls in regulation 7 order, then PPE
  Avoid it first, then change the method, extract, limit, and only then gloves and masks.
- ### What else is needed and when it is reviewed
  Monitoring, health checks, extraction tests and training, each with a date, then a review date.

## Two ways to do your COSHH assessment

By hand on this form, or starting from the data sheet.

Paper sheet

- Fill it by hand or on screen
- You read the sheet yourself
- Each new product starts blank

SDS to Excel converter

- Start from the supplier’s PDF
- Get a hazard summary to work from
- It reads the sheet; the assessment is still yours

[See SDS to Excel converter](https://complyonsite.com/tools/safety-data-sheet-to-excel-converter)

## COSHH example questions

### Is this the assessment for my product?

No. Each one is a typical substance on a made-up job. Yours needs your supplier’s sheet, your amounts and your people.

### Why no brand names?

Formulas differ and change, so no example speaks for a company’s product. If you searched for Fairy or WD-40, the washing-up and aerosol examples are the closest. Read the sheet for the one you hold.

### Where do the numbers come from?

Hazard codes from the GB mandatory classification list where it has an entry, and exposure limits from EH40. Controls follow HSE guidance where HSE has a sheet for the task, and general practice where it does not. Each example lists its sources.

### Can I copy an example?

Use it to see the level of detail, then write your own from your sheet. A form copied unchanged is not an assessment of your work.

### Which form for a low-risk product?

The low-risk record, as in the washing-up example. If a label warns of more than eye or skin irritation, or you use it neat for long, use a [full assessment](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-template?design=onePage) instead.

### Does it cover asbestos or lead?

No. Both have their own regulations, and COSHH does not apply to them in the same way. Take specialist advice.

### Where is the blank?

On the [COSHH assessment template](https://complyonsite.com/tools/coshh-assessment-template), with your logo and the sections you need.