COSHH Awareness

OBR Construction — Mandatory Health & Safety Module

~25 minDuration

10Questions

75%Pass Mark

12 MonthsCertificate Validity

Your Full Name

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! Why This Training Matters

Construction workers are regularly exposed to hazardous substances including cement dust, silica, solvents, paints, fuels, adhesives, and cleaning chemicals. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to assess and control exposure to these substances.

COSHH-related illness kills thousands of workers every year in the UK. Occupational lung disease alone — including occupational asthma and silicosis — affects tens of thousands of construction workers.

Note: This is an awareness course. Task-specific COSHH assessments must be completed for individual substances and tasks on site.

1 What Is COSHH?

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The regulations require employers to prevent or adequately control workers' exposure to substances that may cause ill health.

Substances covered by COSHH include:

Chemicals — solvents, paints, adhesives, cleaning products, fuels
Dusts — cement dust, silica dust, wood dust, asbestos (covered separately)
Fumes — welding fumes, exhaust fumes, resin fumes
Biological agents — Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) from contaminated water
Naturally occurring substances — mould, sewage, animal waste

The COSHH Hierarchy of Control:

Eliminate the substance — can it be avoided entirely?
Substitute — use a less hazardous substance
Enclose the process — prevent escape of the substance
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) — extract at source
General ventilation — dilute with fresh air
Safe systems of work — reduce exposure through method
PPE — last resort, must not replace other controls

2 Hazardous Substance Identification

All hazardous substances must be identified before work begins. The primary tool for this is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — a document provided by the manufacturer that details the hazards, safe use, storage, and emergency procedures for a substance.

Toxic/Very Toxic

Can cause serious harm or death even in small quantities. Requires strict controls.

Harmful/Irritant

May cause irritation or harm. Common on cleaning products and solvents.

Flammable

Can catch fire easily. Keep away from ignition sources. Many solvents and fuels fall into this category.

Environmental Hazard

Harmful to aquatic life and the environment. Must be stored and disposed of correctly.

Never use a substance on site without first checking the Safety Data Sheet and ensuring a COSHH assessment has been completed. If you cannot find the SDS, stop and ask your supervisor.

3 Key Hazardous Substances in Construction

Construction workers encounter a wide range of hazardous substances. These are some of the most common and most dangerous:

Silica Dust (RCS)

Released when cutting, drilling, or grinding concrete, stone, or masonry. Causes silicosis — an irreversible, fatal lung disease. Requires dust suppression and FFP3 respiratory protection.

Cement and Concrete

Wet cement is strongly alkaline and causes chemical burns to skin and eyes. Repeated contact causes occupational dermatitis. Always wear gloves and wash skin promptly.

Solvents and Paints

Many paints and coatings contain solvents that are flammable and harmful by inhalation. Adequate ventilation is essential.

Fuels and Oils

Diesel, petrol, and hydraulic oils are skin irritants and environmental hazards. Avoid prolonged skin contact. Store in bunded containers.

Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis): A bacterial infection spread through contact with water or soil contaminated by rat urine. Construction workers working near waterways are at risk. Cover cuts with waterproof dressings and seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop after water exposure.

4 PPE and Emergency Procedures

PPE is the last line of defence in COSHH control. When it is required, it must be worn correctly and consistently.

Common PPE for COSHH hazards:

Respiratory protection — FFP2 for nuisance dusts, FFP3 for silica and fine particles, full-face respirators for chemicals and fumes
Gloves — nitrile for chemicals and solvents. Check chemical compatibility
Eye protection — chemical splash goggles when handling liquids that could splash
Coveralls — when working with substances that could contaminate clothing

In Case of Chemical Exposure:

Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash with water for at least 10 minutes
Eye contact: Irrigate with clean water for at least 10-15 minutes, seek medical attention
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, call 999 or NHS 111, take the SDS to hospital

5 Key Summary

DO

Read the Safety Data Sheet before using any substance
Follow the COSHH assessment for your task
Use LEV and ventilation controls first
Wear correct PPE as a last resort control
Store substances in correct, labelled containers
Report spills and exposures immediately
Wash skin after contact with cement or chemicals

DON'T

Use any substance without checking the SDS
Mix chemicals unless instructed to do so
Eat, drink, or smoke in areas where substances are used
Store substances in unlabelled containers
Pour chemicals down drains or onto ground
Rely on PPE alone when other controls are available
Ignore symptoms of exposure — report them early

Certificate Validity: This COSHH Awareness certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

? Knowledge Assessment

Answer all 10 questions. You must score 75% or above (8/10) to pass and receive your certificate.

Question 1 of 10

What does COSHH stand for?

Control of Safety and Chemical Handling Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Compliance with Safe Chemical and Hazard Handling Control of Site Chemical and Hazardous Health

Question 2 of 10

In the COSHH hierarchy of control, PPE should be used:

As the first and primary control measure Only when all other controls have been considered and are insufficient Instead of ventilation controls as it is more reliable Only for chemical spills

Question 3 of 10

Which document provides key information on the hazards and safe use of a chemical substance?

The site risk assessment The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) The COSHH regulations document The site induction form

Question 4 of 10

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is released when cutting or grinding concrete. What disease can it cause?

Leptospirosis Occupational asthma only Silicosis — an irreversible and potentially fatal lung disease Dermatitis

Question 5 of 10

Wet cement is hazardous because it is:

Mildly acidic and causes dryness Strongly alkaline and can cause severe chemical burns to skin and eyes Toxic if inhaled in small quantities Non-hazardous once mixed with water

Question 6 of 10

What should you do if a chemical splashes into your eyes?

Rub the eyes gently to remove the substance Irrigate with clean water for at least 10-15 minutes and seek medical attention Apply eye drops and wait to see if symptoms improve Wear sunglasses and continue working

Question 7 of 10

Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) is associated with which work environment?

Dusty environments with silica exposure Working near water or soil contaminated by rat urine Chemical storage areas Working with solvents in enclosed spaces

Question 8 of 10

Which respiratory protection is required when cutting concrete or masonry without dust suppression?

No respiratory protection is needed A simple dust mask (FFP1) FFP3 respirator A surgical mask

Question 9 of 10

Before using any chemical substance on site for the first time, what must you check?

The colour and smell of the substance The Safety Data Sheet and ensure a COSHH assessment has been completed Whether a colleague has used it before The price of the substance

Question 10 of 10

If you spill a hazardous chemical on site, what should you do?

Leave it to evaporate Pour water on it to dilute it Contain the spill, prevent it entering drains, and report it to your supervisor immediately Sweep it into the nearest drain

Certificate of Completion

COSHH Awareness

This is to certify that

COSHH Awareness Training

Has successfully completed the OBR Construction COSHH Awareness online training module in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and HSE guidance on managing hazardous substances in construction.

Score Achieved

Date of Issue

Valid Until

Trainer

Martin Jones

Reference

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