COSHH by substance · UK
Silica dust COSHH assessment
Respirable crystalline silica from cutting concrete/brick/stone — hierarchy of controls first.
What this assessment usually covers
- SDS sections used
- Task and who is exposed
- Hierarchy of controls
- PPE last
- Spill/first aid
- Health surveillance cues
Upload the SDS, confirm the task, and keep only the controls you will actually use. An SDS is not a COSHH assessment.
Quick answer
A silica dust coshh assessment explains how you will prevent harm from that substance on your job. It must be based on the safety data sheet and your real task — quantity, duration, who is exposed and how — not a generic download used unchanged.
Primary topic: silica dust coshh assessment. UK contractors — review every document before you issue it. SafeForJob does not replace competent judgement or HSE guidance.
What usually goes wrong
These are the operational gaps that make generic Word RAMS fail on the next site.
SDS pasted as COSHH
Clients reject packs that only attach a PDF SDS.
PPE listed first
Hierarchy of controls missing.
Task not described
Same substance, different exposure — different assessment.
What to get right on this document
Start from the SDS
Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13 usually drive the assessment.
Describe the task
Cutting, spraying, pouring and cleaning create different exposures.
Link to the RAMS
Hazardous substances in the RAMS should point to the COSHH assessment.
Quick answer
A silica dust coshh assessment explains how you will prevent harm from that substance on your job. It must be based on the safety data sheet and your real task — quantity, duration, who is exposed and how — not a generic download used unchanged.
What good looks like on a UK site
Respirable crystalline silica from cutting concrete/brick/stone — hierarchy of controls first. Name the site, the people at risk, and the sequence that keeps them safe. Generic paragraphs that could apply anywhere are the first thing a principal contractor rejects.
How SafeForJob helps
- Describe the job in plain English and get suggested activities, risks and method steps
- Edit every line before you download or issue
- Reuse a previous RAMS and catch old client or site names
- Attach or create COSHH assessments where hazardous substances appear
What this page is not
This page is not HSE approval, legal advice or a substitute for competent judgement. It helps you draft a clearer silica dust coshh assessment document for a named job. You remain responsible for reviewing and issuing it.
Related reading
See what a RAMS is, the free RAMS generator, and HSE guidance on managing risks.
Related pages
- GuidesSDS vs COSHH assessmentWhy a safety data sheet informs but does not replace your COSHH assessment. Practical UK guidance for contractors — with links to free tools.
- GuidesWhat is a COSHH assessment?COSHH assessments explain how you control hazardous substances for a real task, using the SDS. Practical UK guidance for contractors — with links to free tools.
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- COSHH by substanceWelding fume COSHH assessmentDraft a welding fume coshh assessment for UK work. Start from the SDS, apply hierarchy of controls, review before issue.
All coshh by substance · RAMS by trade · Free RAMS generator
Questions
- Is an SDS enough?
- No. An SDS informs the COSHH assessment; it does not replace it.
- Do low-hazard products need COSHH?
- You still need proportionate assessment — the SDS tells you how light or heavy that should be.
- Can I reuse one assessment everywhere?
- Only if the task and exposure truly match.