# Chemical safety & hazardous substances

Keep product identity, safety data sheets, task controls, staff instruction and changes connected.

Source review: 2026-10-27

Operational starters in English. References identify their own jurisdiction. Select the rules that apply to your site, adapt the documents, and obtain competent approval before use.

## Assess the task and exposure

Record which product is used, how it is used and who could be exposed. A safety data sheet describes product hazards but does not itself assess the workplace task. HSE COSHH guidance and the US Hazard Communication standard are separate frameworks; select the framework and competent assessment relevant to the site.

## Make instructions available at the point of work

Connect the product label and current safety data sheet to the approved task instructions. Identify storage, handling, exposure controls and the approved response to a problem. Staff should know where to retrieve the information. Specialist assessment is needed where the hazard or exposure cannot be managed through the existing approved procedure.

## Control product and procedure changes

A substituted cleaner or revised safety data sheet can change the task review. Record the revision, assessor, affected roles and whether work instructions or training need updating. Do not infer a safe dilution, contact time or combination of products from a generic template. Follow the approved assessment and manufacturer instructions.

## Keep the decision connected to follow-up

Use a task record for the specific product and process, then link open questions to the action register. Review whether the controls are available and understood before use. The reference links allow a manager to check national requirements; completing this starter is not a full COSHH assessment or a complete US written hazard communication program.

## SOP starter: Chemical product introduction and task-control review

Status: DRAFT — complete site-specific details and obtain approval before use.

Site: __________
Owner: __________
Version: __________
Approved by / date: __________
Next review / trigger: __________

### Preparation

- Identify the product, intended task, safety data sheet revision and responsible assessor.

- Reference the approved exposure assessment and task instructions.

- Confirm the site emergency arrangements and staff access to hazard information.

### Procedure

1. Record the task, users, exposure routes and operating conditions.

2. Have the responsible assessor confirm the controls and any unresolved assessment needs.

3. Check product identification, instructions and information access before authorising the task.

4. Brief affected staff and record demonstrated understanding.

5. For a substitution or revised hazard information, reassess before relying on the previous approval.

6. Record incidents, control failures and verified follow-up under the site procedure.

### Records

- Product and task review

- Assessment, label and safety data sheet references

- Instruction, authorisation and change review

### Review triggers

- New product or task

- Revised safety data sheet or hazard information

- Exposure incident or control failure

## Editable templates

- [Chemical product and task-control review](https://kivloo.com/template-library/chemical-task-review)

- [Site induction and practical follow-up record](https://kivloo.com/template-library/site-induction-record)

- [Corrective action register](https://kivloo.com/template-library/corrective-action-register)

## Official references

- [HSE: COSHH assessment questions](https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/faq.htm) — Great Britain; Official guidance

- [OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200) — US federal OSHA; check state-plan rules; Regulation

Canonical: https://kivloo.com/template-library/packs/chemical-safety