COSHH Risk Assessment Step 4: Ensure that control measures are used and maintained

Maintaining and using control measures

You must keep any equipment used to control hazards clean and in good working order. You must ensure that these are properly used.

Make sure all measures, such as workplace policies, are being applied.

A competent person must examine, test, review and maintain them as necessary and at suitable intervals. How often this should be done will depend on the degree of risk and how reliable the control methods are. Keep records of tests and examinations for at least 5 years.

Recording the risk assessment

Record the risk assessment and keep it readily available. Explain to employees the findings and the necessary steps to control exposure. How much you record depends on the risk.