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COSHH Risk Assessment for Electricians — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe the electrical work and the substances you use — soldering flux, cable lubricant, solvents, drilling dust. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant COSHH assessment covering all hazardous substance risks in minutes.
Used by self-employed electricians, electrical contractors and facilities teams across the UK
🧪 Soldering or using solvents? Mention the product names or substance types and we will include exposure limits, ventilation requirements, PPE and emergency procedures required under COSHH Regulations 2002.
Legal requirements for electricians using hazardous substances
Electricians routinely handle substances that trigger duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). Regulation 6 requires a suitable and sufficient assessment of the health risks from exposure to hazardous substances. This includes flux used in soldering, solvents used to mark or clean cables, cable pulling lubricants, and dusts generated when drilling or cutting.
Soldering flux — used in electrical joints and terminations — releases fumes containing rosin and activators. Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause occupational asthma and dermatitis. The HSE's EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits sets an 8-hour time-weighted average for rosin-based solder flux fume of 0.05 mg/m³. Adequate ventilation or local exhaust extraction is required where this limit may be exceeded, and a COSHH risk assessment must document the controls in place.
Cable lubricants and solvents used for cable identification often contain petroleum distillates or glycol ethers classified as irritants or sensitisers. Regulation 7 of COSHH requires prevention or adequate control of exposure — typically achieved through gloves, eye protection and working in well-ventilated areas. Safety data sheets (SDS) provided by the manufacturer identify the specific hazards and inform the risk assessment.
Drilling into walls or ceilings to install cables generates dust containing silica or, in older buildings, asbestos. Regulation 6 requires assessment of the risk, and where asbestos is suspected, compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is also mandatory. A written COSHH assessment documents the precautions required — dust suppression, respiratory protection and asbestos surveys where appropriate.
How it works
1. Describe the substances
Tell us the electrical work you're doing and the hazardous substances involved — soldering flux, cable lubricants, solvents, drilling dust. Mention product names if you have them, or describe the substance type.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written COSHH assessment covering exposure routes, health effects, control measures, PPE and emergency procedures — all referenced to COSHH Regulations 2002 and EH40 exposure limits.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client or contractor, include it in your RAMS pack alongside your electrician risk assessment, or file it for compliance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every COSHH assessment for electricians is written in full — covering all substance hazards relevant to your electrical work.
Soldering flux fume exposure — rosin and activator hazards
Cable pulling lubricants — dermal and eye irritation
Solvents for cable marking — inhalation and skin contact
Drilling dust — silica and respirable crystalline particles
Asbestos risk in pre-2000 buildings — cable routes and old insulation
Skin sensitisers and occupational dermatitis prevention
Respiratory protection — when ventilation is inadequate
Eye protection for chemical splash
Workplace exposure limits (EH40) compliance
Ventilation and local exhaust ventilation (LEV) requirements
Safe storage and handling of chemicals on site
Emergency procedures — eye wash, first aid, spillage
COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended) compliance
Safety data sheet (SDS) referencing for specific products
Works for
From domestic installations to industrial switchgear, Anyrisks covers every electrical job involving hazardous substances.
What customers say
"I do a lot of industrial panel work with soldering. The COSHH assessment covered flux fume exposure and ventilation requirements — exactly what the client's safety officer wanted to see."
Martin D.
Electrical contractor, Manchester
"Working in commercial buildings means drilling through concrete and pulling cables with lubricant. Anyrisks gave me a proper COSHH assessment covering dust and skin contact in one document."
Claire W.
Self-employed electrician, Bristol
"I use solvents for cable marking on every job. The COSHH assessment referenced the exact exposure limits and PPE requirements — saved me hours of research and form-filling."
Raj P.
Electrical engineer, Birmingham
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH Regulations 2002 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| EH40 exposure limits included where applicable | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers multiple substances in one assessment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Flux fume and solvent hazards documented | ✓ | ✗ |
| Emergency and first aid procedures included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do electricians need a COSHH assessment?
Yes — electricians use hazardous substances including soldering flux, solvents for cable marking, cable lubricants, and create dust when drilling or cutting. Regulation 6 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 requires a written assessment of the risks from these substances.
Does this cover flux fumes from soldering?
Yes — mention soldering work and the COSHH assessment will cover flux fume exposure, ventilation requirements, and respiratory protection where ventilation is inadequate. Flux contains rosin and activators that produce irritating and potentially sensitising fumes.
Is cable lubricant a hazardous substance?
Yes — cable pulling lubricants contain chemical irritants and sensitisers. The COSHH assessment will cover dermal exposure, skin protection (gloves), and emergency procedures for eye or skin contact. Safety data sheets from the manufacturer inform the controls.
Do I need a separate COSHH assessment for every product?
No — Anyrisks produces a single COSHH assessment covering all the hazardous substances you describe. If you use multiple products (e.g. flux, solvents, lubricant), list them and the assessment will address each substance and the combined risk.
Does it cover drilling dust and fibre exposure?
Yes — drilling into walls or chasing cable routes generates respirable dust. Cutting or stripping old cable insulation can release asbestos fibres in older buildings. Mention the building age and work type and the COSHH assessment will include dust suppression, PPE and pre-work asbestos checks where required.
Can I use this for commercial and industrial electrical jobs?
Yes — describe the work environment (domestic, commercial, industrial) and the substances you use. The COSHH assessment will reflect the specific hazards of the work environment, whether it is a domestic rewire or industrial switchgear maintenance.
Does it reference the Electricity at Work Regulations as well?
The COSHH assessment focuses on substance hazards under COSHH Regulations 2002. For a full electrical work risk assessment covering isolation, live working and electric shock, use the Anyrisks electrician risk assessment. Both documents can be generated separately and used together in your RAMS pack.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the electrical work and the substances you use (flux, solvents, lubricants, any drilling or cutting) and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced COSHH assessment instantly.