COSHH Inspection Checklist: What HSE Inspectors Look For in 2026
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) remain one of the most rigorously enforced pieces of health and safety legislation in the UK. With HSE inspection activity continuing at pace in 2026, businesses handling hazardous substances must ensure their compliance documentation, risk controls, and spill management procedures are all in order.
This guide outlines precisely what HSE inspectors examine during a COSHH inspection — and what you need to have in place to avoid enforcement notices, improvement notices, or prosecution.
What Is COSHH and Who Does It Apply To?
COSHH applies to any UK business that uses, stores, produces, or releases substances that could harm employees or others. This includes chemicals, cleaning agents, oils, fuels, biological agents, and dust. Under Regulation 6, employers must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks created by such substances.
Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £20,000 in a Magistrates' Court or unlimited fines in a Crown Court, along with custodial sentences in serious cases.
The COSHH Inspection Checklist
Below is a summary of what HSE inspectors typically assess during a site visit:
| Inspection Area | What Inspectors Look For |
|---|---|
| COSHH Risk Assessments | Written, substance-specific, reviewed within last 12 months |
| Safety Data Sheets (SDS) | Current version (16-section format), accessible to workers |
| Substance Inventory | Up-to-date register of all hazardous substances on site |
| Control Measures | Hierarchy of controls applied: elimination, substitution, engineering, PPE |
| PPE Provision | Appropriate PPE supplied, maintained, and worn correctly |
| Exposure Monitoring | WEL monitoring records where required (e.g., isocyanates, silica) |
| Health Surveillance | Ongoing surveillance for high-risk substances |
| Employee Training | Records of COSHH training and toolbox talks |
| Spill Containment | Adequate spill kits, bunding, and emergency procedures in place |
| Waste Disposal | Hazardous waste disposed of correctly under Environmental Permitting Regulations |
Spill Containment: A Common Inspection Failure Point
One area where businesses regularly fall short during HSE inspections is spill containment. Inspectors will check that hazardous liquids are stored within appropriate secondary containment — typically bunded pallets or sump units meeting the 110% capacity rule — and that suitable spill kits are immediately accessible.
Under COSHH and the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001, inadequate spill containment is a serious compliance breach. Inspectors will want to see spill kits that are correctly specified for the substances in use (oil-only, chemical, or universal), clearly labelled, and regularly checked.
Browse our full range of spill kits and spill pallets to ensure your site meets HSE requirements.
Documentation HSE Inspectors Will Request
Be prepared to produce the following on demand:
- COSHH risk assessments for every hazardous substance in use
- Up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (obtained from suppliers)
- Training and induction records
- Maintenance logs for LEV (local exhaust ventilation) systems
- Evidence of health surveillance programmes
- Emergency spill response procedures
- Records of spill kit inspections and replenishment
Preparing for a 2026 HSE Inspection
The best defence against enforcement action is a proactive compliance culture. Conduct internal COSHH audits at least annually, review assessments whenever processes change, and ensure all staff who work with hazardous substances have received documented training.
Pay particular attention to your spill response capability. If a hazardous substance is released and you cannot demonstrate that adequate containment measures were in place, HSE inspectors will treat this as a priority non-compliance. Ensure spill kits are visually inspected monthly, fully stocked, and that staff know exactly where they are and how to use them.
For chemical storage areas, bunded flooring or bunded storage cabinets should be in place. All secondary containment must be capable of holding at least 110% of the largest container's volume.
Final Thoughts
COSHH compliance in 2026 demands more than a file full of assessments. HSE inspectors are looking for a live, functioning safety management system — one where risk assessments are acted upon, controls are maintained, and employees are genuinely aware of the hazards they face.
Don't wait for an inspection to find the gaps. Use this checklist as your internal audit tool and address any shortfalls before they become enforcement issues.
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