COSHH guide
COSHH risk assessment for garages and vehicle workshops
Vehicle repair involves a wide range of hazardous substances, from everyday fluids to some of the highest-risk exposures in small businesses. Most can be assessed quickly; a few need specialist controls and a competent person.
Substances to assess
- Used engine oil (prolonged skin contact can cause dermatitis and skin cancer)
- Brake and parts cleaners, solvents and degreasers
- Antifreeze and screen wash
- Battery acid
- Diesel engine exhaust fumes, a carcinogen: use tailpipe extraction
- Two-pack (isocyanate) paints, a leading cause of occupational asthma
- Welding fume, also a carcinogen: HSE expects extraction for welding indoors
Typical controls
- Nitrile gloves for oils and fluids, and barrier and after-work creams as part of a skin care routine
- Tailpipe extraction or running engines outside
- Isocyanate spraying only in a booth or room designed for it, with air-fed breathing apparatus and health surveillance
- Local exhaust ventilation for welding and grinding, tested every 14 months
- Labelled containers and safe storage of flammables
Where EasyCOSHH fits
Use EasyCOSHH for the everyday fluids, cleaners and aerosols. For isocyanates and welding fume, our assessments flag that you need a competent person and specialist controls; treat them as a starting point, not the whole answer.
Questions
Do I need health surveillance?
Yes for some work. Spraying isocyanate paints needs health surveillance for asthma, and skin checks are recommended where there's regular contact with oils and solvents.
Can I do one assessment for all oils?
Oils with the same hazards used in the same way can share an assessment, but used engine oil is more hazardous than new oil and should be considered separately.
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.