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COSHH Risk Assessment for Electrical Contractors — Generated Instantly for £29
Electricians use flux, solvents, cable lubricants and generate hazardous dust when drilling. UK law requires a COSHH assessment before using or handling hazardous substances. Describe the substances you use and we generate a complete, UK-compliant COSHH assessment in minutes — ready for clients, contractors and HSE inspections.
Used by self-employed electricians, electrical contractors and facilities maintenance teams across the UK
⚠️ Drilling concrete or chasing walls? Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a serious carcinogen. Mention drilling or chasing and we will include dust suppression controls, RPE requirements (FFP3 masks), and health surveillance duties under Regulation 11 of COSHH 2002.
COSHH legal requirements for electrical contractors
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to all work involving hazardous substances. Regulation 6 requires employers and the self-employed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks created by work involving hazardous substances, and to implement measures to prevent or adequately control exposure. Electricians routinely handle soldering flux (which releases fumes), isopropanol and acetone-based cleaning solvents, cable pulling lubricants, and thermal compounds — all of which are hazardous substances under COSHH.
Drilling and chasing during electrical installation generates respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust from concrete, brick and masonry. RCS is classified as a known human carcinogen and can cause silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The HSE estimates that over 500 construction workers die each year from past exposure to silica dust. Under COSHH, you must use on-tool extraction or water suppression, provide FFP3-rated respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and consider health surveillance if exposure is significant or regular.
Regulation 7 of COSHH 2002 requires that exposure is prevented where reasonably practicable, or adequately controlled where prevention is not possible. This means using the least hazardous substance available, applying control measures (ventilation, enclosure, safe handling procedures), and providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defence. Written COSHH assessments are expected by principal contractors, building managers, and HSE inspectors on all commercial and industrial sites.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require a general risk assessment covering all significant risks. For electrical contractors, this includes both COSHH risks and electrical hazards, working at height, manual handling, and lone working. Anyrisks can generate both your general electrician risk assessment and your COSHH assessment — covering the full scope of your legal duties.
How It Works
1. List the Substances You Use
Tell us which hazardous substances you use or generate — soldering flux, cleaning solvents, cable lubricants, thermal paste, dust from drilling. Mention how and where you use them (indoors, confined spaces, well-ventilated areas). If you drill concrete or chase walls, mention it and we will include silica dust controls and RPE requirements.
2. We Generate Your COSHH Assessment
Anyrisks produces a fully written COSHH assessment referencing the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, including hazard identification, exposure routes, control measures, PPE requirements, emergency procedures and disposal guidance.
3. Download and Use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client or principal contractor, include it in your RAMS pack, or file it for compliance purposes. £29, no subscription, instant delivery.
What Your COSHH Assessment Covers
Every COSHH assessment for electrical contractors is written in full — covering all substances, exposure routes and controls.
Soldering flux — fumes, skin contact, respiratory exposure
Isopropanol and acetone-based cleaning solvents
Cable pulling lubricants — petroleum distillates
Thermal paste and compounds — silicone, metal oxides
Cutting and threading oils
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from drilling concrete
Wood dust, plasterboard dust and other construction dusts
Control measures — ventilation, on-tool extraction, wet methods
PPE requirements — gloves, eye protection, FFP3 respirators
Emergency procedures — spills, skin contact, inhalation
Safe storage, handling and disposal procedures
Health surveillance requirements where applicable
COSHH Regulations 2002 — Regulation 6 and 7 compliance
HSE EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits referenced where applicable
Substances Covered
From soldering flux to drilling dust, Anyrisks covers every hazardous substance used or generated during electrical work.
What Customers Say
"I work on commercial sites where COSHH is mandatory. Anyrisks covered flux fumes, solvents and drilling dust — exactly what the principal contractor wanted. Much faster than filling out a template myself."
Daniel T.
Self-employed electrician, Manchester
"We do a lot of chasing and drilling in concrete. The silica dust section was thorough — on-tool extraction, FFP3 masks, health surveillance. HSE inspector was satisfied."
Craig W.
Electrical contractor, Glasgow
"I use isopropanol and flux every day. Anyrisks gave me a proper COSHH assessment with PPE requirements and ventilation controls. Clients accept it without question."
Leanne M.
Electrical installation engineer, Birmingham
Anyrisks vs DIY COSHH Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH Regulations 2002 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Substance-specific hazards and controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) guidance | ✓ | ✗ |
| PPE and RPE requirements detailed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Emergency procedures and spill response | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electrical contractors need COSHH assessments?
Yes — electricians use hazardous substances including flux, solvents, cable lubricants, thermal paste, cleaning fluids and cutting oils. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require a written assessment whenever such substances are used or generated during electrical work. Drilling concrete generates respirable crystalline silica dust, which is a known carcinogen and requires specific COSHH controls including RPE (respiratory protective equipment).
What substances do electricians typically need to assess?
Common substances include soldering flux (containing rosin and organic acids), isopropanol and acetone-based cleaners, cable pulling lubricants (often containing petroleum distillates), thermal paste (silicone or metal oxide compounds), cutting and threading oils, and dust from drilling or chasing (concrete dust containing silica, wood dust, plasterboard dust). Each substance requires a separate COSHH assessment or entry in a comprehensive assessment.
Does this meet HSE requirements for electrical contractors?
Yes — Anyrisks COSHH assessments reference Regulation 6 of COSHH 2002 (the duty to assess risks) and Regulation 7 (prevention or control of exposure). Assessments include exposure routes, control measures (ventilation, PPE, safe handling), emergency procedures, health surveillance requirements where applicable, and disposal procedures. The format is accepted by principal contractors, clients and HSE inspectors.
Can I use one COSHH assessment for multiple sites?
Yes — a COSHH assessment covers the substance and how you use it, not the specific site. If your working method and control measures remain consistent across sites (e.g. always using flux with adequate ventilation, always wearing nitrile gloves when handling solvents), one assessment applies. However, if site conditions vary significantly (confined spaces, poor ventilation, outdoors vs indoors), you should document those variations or produce site-specific assessments.
Do I need separate COSHH and general risk assessments?
Yes — COSHH assessments focus specifically on hazardous substances. Your general electrician risk assessment covers electric shock, isolation, working at height, manual handling and other non-chemical hazards. Many electrical contractors combine both into a single RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) pack for convenience. Anyrisks can generate both documents — describe the substances you use and we will produce a compliant COSHH assessment.
How long does it take to generate a COSHH assessment?
Under 2 minutes. List the substances you use (flux, solvents, lubricants, dusts generated), describe how you use them, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced COSHH assessment instantly. Download as PDF and Word for £29.
What if I use a new substance on site?
You must assess it before use — it is illegal under Regulation 6 of COSHH 2002 to use a hazardous substance without a prior assessment. Check the safety data sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer, identify the hazards (flammable, irritant, toxic, corrosive), and either add it to your existing COSHH assessment or generate a new one. Anyrisks makes this quick — describe the substance and its use, and we will produce a compliant assessment immediately.
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