Before disposal, businesses should identify hazardous substances, assess the risks they present and plan how waste will be stored and removed safely. Containers should be suitable and labelled, with incompatible substances kept apart. Access should also be controlled where necessary.

We can arrange the container, licensed collection and waste documentation. COSHH assessment and workplace controls remain the employer’s responsibility.

There are all sorts of COSHH products covered by the regulations as it includes many materials and substances used in workplaces that could harm health. COSHH items could be dust, gases, liquids, gels, solids, or powders that can cause an infection or reaction. Many substances can harm human health but rarely do due to proper use and control.

Many COSHH items that can contain harmful substances may be used daily in your business, while others may be used only sparingly. Expired chemicals are a common type of COSHH waste, but the category also covers paint, empty gas canisters, and oily rags. Some of the main types of COSHH waste include:

• Chemical waste – bottles or jars of chemical waste, such as sodium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and glycerol
• Aerosols – aerosol bottles used for deodorant, paint, and cleaning products
• Paints – empty paint tins and paint cans can contain harmful substances
• Fluorescent tubes – these light tubes contain hazardous materials
• Oils – engine oil and oily rags are covered by the COSHH regulations
• Gas bottles and canisters – empty and expired canisters contain various harmful gases
• Adhesives – glue, sealants, and industrial adhesives require safe storage and disposal

COSHH does not cover asbestos, lead or radioactive substances because separate regulations apply to those hazards.

Keep COSHH waste in suitable, clearly labelled containers and store it where spills, leaks or unauthorised access can be controlled. Incompatible substances must be separated. Follow the product safety information and your COSHH risk assessment when deciding where and how to store these individual materials.

In Great Britain, the main legislation is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Northern Ireland has separate COSHH regulations.

COSHH requires employers to prevent or adequately control exposure to substances that can harm health. This includes identifying hazardous substances, assessing risks and putting appropriate controls in place (HSE).

Any business that produces or uses items covered by the COSHH regulations must ensure responsible storage, collection, and disposal of such waste. It could be a shop with a few expired cans of deodorant that can’t be sold or a laboratory with barrels of waste chemicals. Arranging collection of any COSHH waste by licensed waste carriers is vital.

The treatment route depends on the waste. Suitable chemicals may be recovered or recycled, while others require chemical, physical or thermal treatment. Some materials need specialist disposal where recycling or recovery is not appropriate.

Business Waste prioritises appropriate recycling and recovery routes where possible and arranges disposal at authorised facilities for material that cannot be recovered.

Book COSHH waste collection for your business to ensure all harmful substances your organisation uses are properly managed and controlled through to disposal. At Business Waste, we use licensed waste carriers to remove your waste. Request a free, no-obligation quote tailored to the type and amount of waste you need removed.