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What’s Lurking in Your Cleaning Cupboard?

A COSHH Timebomb You’re Ignoring


You walk into your office. Everything looks spotless. Smells lemony fresh. Cleaners have done their job. You're good, right?


Wrong.


Behind that locked door labelled “Cleaning Supplies” is a potential prosecution just waiting to happen.


And the scariest part?


Most UK offices—yes, even yours—are sitting on uncontrolled hazardous substances without even knowing it.





🧼 The Silent Killers Hiding in Plain Sight


You don’t need to run a factory or a lab to be at risk.


Here’s what we’ve found lurking in regular office cupboards across the UK:


  • Bleach – causes severe skin burns, eye damage, and emits toxic fumes.

  • Oven cleaner – corrosive to skin and eyes; dangerous if inhaled.

  • Glass cleaner sprays – often contain isopropanol, flammable and irritating to eyes.

  • Air fresheners – release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger asthma.

  • Multipurpose surface cleaners – may include ammonia or other alkalis that irritate lungs and skin.

  • Printer toner and ink cartridges – release fine particulates and chemicals harmful when inhaled or touched.

  • Hand sanitisers – alcohol-based, flammable, and irritating with long-term exposure.


Most people think, “It’s just cleaning stuff.”

But under UK law, these are all hazardous substances—and they fall under COSHH.





Quick COSHH Refresher (The Legal Bit)


COSHH = Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002


Under COSHH, UK employers must:

  • Identify harmful substances in the workplace.

  • Assess the risks to health.

  • Put in place control measures.

  • Train staff on safe handling.

  • Keep documentation and records (yep, including Safety Data Sheets).


Failure to comply doesn’t just risk your team’s health—it opens you up to:


  • Unlimited fines

  • HSE enforcement

  • Insurance nightmares

  • And potentially... criminal charges


🗂️ What Your COSHH Folder Should Actually Contain:


Don’t fall into the trap of “print one sheet and tick the box.”Here’s what a compliant COSHH file should include for each hazardous substance:


✅ Full COSHH assessment – bespoke to your site, task, and people

✅ Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the supplier

✅ PPE requirements and controls

✅ Exposure prevention measures

✅ Storage instructions

✅ Emergency procedures – what happens if it spills, touches skin, or gets inhaled

✅ Record of staff training


If you’re missing any of these, you’re exposed. And in the eyes of HSE, ignorance isn’t an excuse.





🧠 Real Talk: If Someone Gets Hurt, You’re Held Responsible


We’ve seen businesses fined thousands for a cleaner splashing bleach in their eyes—because no one trained them properly or risk assessed the task.

💬 One client said: "We didn’t even know COSHH applied to us. We thought that was just for factories." Nope. It applies to every single employer in the UK.


✅ Here's the Fix (And It’s Dead Simple)


We’re not here to scare you—we’re here to sort it for you.

At SJH Safety Solutions, we offer COSHH assessments from just £30 per document.

Tailored to your business. Fully compliant. Written in plain English. Delivered fast.


We’ll help you:

✔ Identify all hazardous substances in your workplace

✔ Provide clear, clean, HSE-approved documentation

✔ Train your staff (if needed)

✔ Make sure you’re inspection-ready, any day of the week





📩 Ready to Make Your Cleaning Cupboard Safe Again?


Don’t wait for an accident or an HSE letter through the post.


📂 Let’s get your COSHH folder in shape—for good.


Protect your people. Protect your business.


👉 COSHH Assessments from £30 – Get yours now with SJH Safety Solutions.

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