COSHH Awareness Training
Control the Risk, Protect Your Health
Hazardous substances exist in almost every workplace—from cleaning agents and fumes to dust, chemicals, and more. Each year, thousands of workers suffer from preventable illness caused by exposure.
This COSHH Awareness Training provides essential knowledge to help you understand what hazardous substances are, the health risks they pose, and how to work with them safely and responsibly.
Whether you’re an employee, employer, or self-employed, this course explains your legal duties, how to identify risks, and the practical steps you can take to control exposure. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make safer decisions at work—and help build a healthier, more compliant workplace.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Recognise the serious health effects of exposure to asbestos.
Recognise the different types and uses of asbestos and where it is now most likely to be present.
Explain why asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) pose a serious risk to health.
Describe the general control measures that need to be in place to control the risk of accidental exposure to asbestos fibres from ACMs.
Explain the key steps to take in the event of discovery of suspect materials or the accidental disturbance of ACMs.
Awareness training
“Don’t Guess the Risk—COSHH It!”
How it works….
On the course
At a glance…
6 - 12 delegates
Half day course
No qualifications or PPE required
This training course is delivered on-site at your location or at a training centre location and typically lasts half a day, No formal qualifications are needed to attend, making it accessible to all experience levels. Group sizes are kept small, usually between 6–12 delegates, to ensure focused, hands-on learning. Delegates are not required to bring any PPE for this training course
Module 1: Understanding the Risks of Hazardous Substances
This module lays the foundation for safe working practices by exploring the nature, risks, and impact of hazardous substances in the workplace. Learners will gain a clear understanding of what constitutes a hazardous substance—ranging from chemicals and fumes to dust, mists, vapours, and biological agents—and how these substances can enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or injection.
The module explains the short-term and long-term health effects of exposure, including respiratory issues, skin conditions, chemical burns, and serious diseases such as occupational asthma and cancer. Through real-world examples and scenarios, learners will understand how these risks apply in everyday tasks, across a variety of industries.
To support a proactive approach to safety, the module introduces practical steps to reduce exposure, including safe handling techniques, proper storage, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and good hygiene practices.
An optional, role-specific section is included for those with responsibilities under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. This covers:
• Legal duties of employers and employees
• The importance of a COSHH risk assessment
• Applying the Hierarchy of Control to manage risks effectively
By the end of this module, learners will have a solid understanding of the dangers posed by hazardous substances and the key actions they can take to protect themselves and others—making this a vital step toward building a safer, more compliant work environment.
Module 2: Implementing Control Measures
This module focuses on the practical application of control measures to minimise the risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace. Building on the awareness established in the first module, learners are introduced to the range of protective strategies that should be in place to reduce exposure and prevent harm.
The module begins by exploring the different types of control measures, including physical controls (e.g. local exhaust ventilation), procedural controls (e.g. safe working practices), and personal protective equipment (PPE). Emphasis is placed on understanding that PPE is a last line of defence—not a substitute for higher-level controls.
Learners will also be guided through:
• Pre-use checks on PPE and other control measures to ensure they are fit for purpose
• How to identify and interpret hazard symbols and labels, in line with the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures)
• The importance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)—how to read them, what information they contain, and how to use them to inform safe handling and storage procedures
The module also covers safe handling and usage techniques, including decanting, transferring, and disposing of hazardous substances, with practical guidance to prevent spills, splashes, or accidental exposure.
Finally, learners are introduced to emergency response procedures, including what to do in the event of a spill, exposure incident, or equipment failure. This section outlines the importance of first aid, reporting, and decontamination protocols to ensure swift and effective action when things go wrong.
By the end of this module, learners will be equipped with the knowledge to confidently implement and support control measures in their own work environments—helping to create a culture of safety and compliance.
