This checklist checks every hazardous substance is on the COSHH register with an assessment, and that the people using them have read it.

Effective Audit Checklists

Prepared using the F-Q2A Audit Checklist form template.

The file is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Checklist number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

alphaZ documents - beautifully designed, tried and tested audit checklists. No junk, jargon or unnecessary questions. Simple and usable audit checklists developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.

Further Reading

Further guidance on COSHH and internal auditing:

• COSHH Assessment and Control
• Storage of Oils, Fuels and Chemicals
• Internal Auditing knowledge base

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How to Download

This file is included in the alphaZ subscription. This checklist is also included in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them, so the toolkit route gives you this file plus everything else you need in one download.

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COSHH Audit Checklist Template

A process audit checklist for auditing the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH): the COSHH register or folder, assessments for every hazardous substance, and whether the people working with them know the assessments. It is set out on the F-Q2A Audit Checklist format, with the scope, criteria, site, participants, auditor and date recorded at the top, and each question alongside the auditee and the evidence viewed, response and findings.

Questions Covered

• Whether there is a COSHH register, folder or guidance available
• Whether all hazardous substances are on the COSHH register or in the folder
• Whether there are COSHH assessments for all hazardous substances
• Whether people working with hazardous substances know, and have reviewed, the relevant COSHH assessments

Carrying Out the Audit

Start in the store rather than the office. Pick a few substances off the shelf and find each one on the register with its assessment, then ask someone who uses it what controls the assessment sets out. Look for substances in use that are missing from the register in every area visited. Check the assessments have been reviewed when a product or its safety data sheet changed.

Planning the Audit

Have the COSHH register and assessments to hand, and plan to visit every place substances are stored or used, including cleaning cupboards and vehicles. Include substances brought on site by contractors, which are easy to leave off the register.

Who Should Carry Out the Audit?

Anyone trained in internal auditing who is independent of the area being audited. The questions are written in plain language, so the checklist also works well for training new internal auditors.

Included in the ISO Toolkits

This checklist is part of the ISO 9001 Toolkit and is also included in the ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 toolkits, including the integrated toolkits that combine them.

Related Documents

Documents that work alongside this checklist:

• PP-7-06 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Policy Procedure
• P-79 Hazardous Substances Policy
• F-HS44 RPE Monthly Inspection

Part of the Process Audit Checklists

This is one of the alphaZ process audit checklists, each covering a single area of the management system, so audits can be spread across the year using the ER11 Audit Schedule. The completed checklist becomes the record of the audit, and the results can be written up using the F-Q31 Audit Report.

Adapting the Checklist

The questions can be edited, added to or removed to suit the way the organisation works, and the scope and criteria at the top changed to match the area being audited. Because every alphaZ audit checklist uses the same F-Q2A layout, audit records look the same whichever area was audited, which makes them easier to review and compare.

Using the Findings

Substances without an assessment, or users who have not seen the assessment, are raised as actions and dealt with before the substance is used again.