Garage COSHH Assessments and COSHH Register Requirements
A practical guide to creating a COSHH register for garages, linking workshop chemicals to COSHH assessments, safety data sheets, storage controls and review dates.
Why this requirement may appear
Garages using workshop chemicals usually need to assess the health risks of those substances and put suitable controls in place. A COSHH register gives the business one clear list of the hazardous substances it uses or stores, making it easier to find the relevant assessment, safety data sheet and control measures when they are needed.
What to do
Legal requirement: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 require an assessment of health risks from hazardous substances and control measures to reduce exposure.
Good practice: Keep a COSHH register — a working list of the hazardous substances used or stored in your garage. For each product, record the product name and use, storage location, supplier safety data sheet, linked COSHH assessment, key controls or PPE, responsible person and review date.
Review the COSHH register when a new product is introduced, a product or work process changes, an assessment is no longer valid, or an incident highlights a risk. The register supports your COSHH assessments; it does not replace the need to assess how each substance is actually used in your workshop.
Motor Trade Ready suggests: Keep the register, assessments and supporting documents together so you can review chemical risks at a glance.
Setting up a COSHH register: Start by walking through the workshop, stores and cleaning areas to identify products such as oils, solvents, brake cleaner, aerosols, paints, adhesives, battery chemicals and cleaning products. Add each hazardous product to the register, obtain the current supplier safety data sheet and link it to the assessment for the way that product is used at your site.
Keeping the register useful: Give one person responsibility for checking new products before use, removing products that are no longer kept, and making sure the register reflects the products and processes actually in use. Where control measures depend on extraction, closed containers, safer substitutes, PPE or staff instruction, record the relevant arrangements in the linked COSHH assessment rather than treating the register as a substitute for those controls.
Evidence to retain
Keep the COSHH register, COSHH assessments, current safety data sheets (SDS) for substances in use, records of any staff training on safe handling, and evidence of relevant controls such as secure storage, local exhaust ventilation checks or PPE issue.
Keep this evidence organised
Motor Trade Ready can help you record the relevant date and keep supporting evidence alongside the rest of your garage compliance records.
Typical review timing
Review assessments at least annually or whenever products or working practices change.
Practical next steps
Walk through the workshop, stores and cleaning areas to list the hazardous products actually in use. Create or update the COSHH register, link every product to its current safety data sheet and COSHH assessment, and set a review date or trigger for each entry.
When specialist help may be appropriate
A health and safety consultant can help complete COSHH assessments if you're unsure how to start.
Put this into practice
Related garage compliance guidance
- Garage LEV testing and welding fume extractionControl airborne exposure from welding fumes and extraction systems.
- Spray booth and isocyanate requirementsReview COSHH controls for paint and spray work.
- Garage hazardous waste carrier requirementsManage hazardous materials once they become waste.
- UK garage compliance checklistSee where COSHH fits in the wider garage checklist.
Official guidance and references
Frequently asked questions
What is a COSHH register?
A COSHH register is a practical list of hazardous substances used or stored at a garage. It helps you see what chemicals are on site, link each one to its safety data sheet and COSHH assessment, and keep reviews organised.
Is a COSHH register a legal requirement?
COSHH requires employers to assess health risks from hazardous substances and put suitable controls in place. A separate document called a COSHH register is not prescribed by the regulations, but keeping one is a useful way to manage the assessments, products and safety data sheets your garage needs.
What should a garage COSHH register include?
Include the product name, intended use, where it is stored, the supplier safety data sheet date or reference, the linked COSHH assessment, key controls or PPE, the person responsible and the assessment review date. Tailor the register to the substances actually used at your site.
Which workshop substances belong on a COSHH register?
Typical examples include brake cleaner, degreasers, solvents, paints, adhesives, oils, coolants, battery chemicals and cleaning products where they are hazardous. Check the supplier safety data sheet and your actual workshop activities rather than relying on a generic list.
How often should a COSHH register be reviewed?
Review it when a new product is introduced, a product changes, working practices change, an assessment is no longer valid, or an incident identifies a problem. Routine periodic reviews also help keep product lists and safety data sheets current.
Does a safety data sheet replace a COSHH assessment?
No. A safety data sheet provides supplier information about a product. A COSHH assessment considers how that product is actually used, stored and controlled in your garage, including who may be exposed.
Who is responsible for the COSHH register?
The employer remains responsible for COSHH compliance. A named competent person can maintain the register and coordinate reviews, but the arrangements should be understood by the people who use or supervise hazardous substances.
What evidence should a garage keep for COSHH?
Keep current COSHH assessments, the relevant safety data sheets, the COSHH register, training records where needed, and evidence of controls such as storage arrangements, local exhaust ventilation checks or PPE issue.
Can a garage health and safety policy template cover COSHH?
A garage health and safety policy template can set out the overall arrangements for managing hazardous substances, including who maintains the COSHH register, how assessments are reviewed and how staff are informed. It does not replace the separate COSHH assessments, safety data sheets and site-specific controls needed for the substances used at your garage.
This guidance provides general information for UK garages and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements can vary by premises, activity and local authority — check current official guidance or seek professional advice for your specific circumstances.
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