COSHH guide
COSHH assessment for bleach
Bleach is in almost every cleaning cupboard. Most household and catering bleaches are sodium hypochlorite solutions; depending on strength, they can irritate or burn skin and cause serious eye damage. Thick bleaches often carry the hazard statement H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage).
Key hazards
- Skin burns or irritation, and serious eye damage from splashes
- EUH031: contact with acids liberates toxic gas (chlorine), for example when mixed with acid toilet cleaners or descalers
- Irritation from fumes in small, unventilated rooms
- Very toxic to aquatic life: don't pour concentrate down surface drains
Typical controls
- Use the weakest product and dilution that does the job; don't use more than needed
- Never mix with other cleaners, especially acids or ammonia
- Gloves (EN ISO 374) and eye protection (EN 166) when decanting or diluting
- Ventilate the room; avoid spraying
- Store upright in the original container, away from acids, and out of reach of the public
First aid basics
Eyes: rinse with water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help. Skin: rinse well. Swallowed: rinse the mouth, don't make the person vomit, and get medical advice. Always check section 4 of your product's SDS.
Create it from the SDS
Bleach products differ in strength, so use the SDS for the exact product. Type the name into our product box (we have many common UK bleaches in our library) and EasyCOSHH will build the assessment for your task.
Questions
Is thin bleach less hazardous than thick bleach?
Not necessarily. Strength (the % of sodium hypochlorite) matters more than thickness. Check the hazard statements on the label or SDS.
Do I need an assessment if we use bleach occasionally?
If it's classified as hazardous and your staff use it at work, yes. It only takes a few minutes.
Important
EasyCOSHH is a tool, not professional advice. You must check each assessment against the supplier's Safety Data Sheet and your actual work, adapt it and sign it off. For high-risk substances (carcinogens, asbestos, lead, respiratory sensitisers such as isocyanates) use a competent person. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HSE.