What is COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
A hazardous substance is anything that could harm health if:
inhaled
swallowed
injected
absorbed through the skin
Common examples in client homes include:
cleaning products and disinfectants
detergents and sprays
medicines
bodily fluids and waste
Your key responsibilities as a carer
You must:
follow COSHH guidance and safe systems of work
use products exactly as instructed
wear PPE where required
report concerns or symptoms immediately
never place yourself or the client at risk
Using cleaning products safely
When using any cleaning product:
Read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Never mix products
Never decant products into unlabelled containers
Use domestic quantities only
Keep labels intact and readable
Store products away from children, pets and vulnerable adults
Wear PPE (e.g. gloves/apron) where required
Follow disposal instructions on the label
⚠️ If you’re unsure about a product — don’t use it and contact the office.
PPE and hygiene
Wear PPE as instructed (e.g. gloves, apron)
Change PPE between tasks
Never reuse single-use PPE
Wash hands after removing PPE
Maintain good personal hygiene at all times
What to do if something goes wrong
If you:
get a product in your eyes or on your skin
feel unwell (e.g. rash, breathing issues, dizziness)
spill a substance
notice unsafe storage or lack of supplies
You must:
Stop the task
Follow first aid instructions on the product label
Report immediately to the office/on-call
Record the incident if required
Unsafe environments in client homes
If COSHH controls cannot be safely followed (for example):
no soap or cleaning supplies
unsafe storage
infestations
refusal to allow PPE use
You must:
report this immediately
document the concern
follow instructions from the care team
never put yourself at risk
The office will review the risk assessment and agree next steps with the client/family.
Training and competence
All carers:
receive COSHH awareness as part of induction
receive ongoing guidance through supervision and spot checks
must apply COSHH learning in day-to-day practice
If additional training or support is needed, this will be arranged.
When to ask for help
Contact the office or on-call team if:
you’re unsure whether a substance is safe
you feel unwell after exposure
the home environment feels unsafe
you’re asked to use a product incorrectly
👉 Never guess. Always ask.