Health, Public Health & Safety
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Identifying, assessing and controlling hazardous substances in workplaces and facilities.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Hazardous substances and health effects |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Labels, safety data sheets and classification |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | COSHH assessment process |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Control measures, PPE and ventilation |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Storage, spills, disposal and emergency response |
Module breakdown
- 1
Hazardous substances and health effects
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for hazardous substances and health effects and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind hazardous substances and health effects
- Step-by-step methods and templates for hazardous substances and health effects
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in hazardous substances and health effects, and how to avoid them
- Applying hazardous substances and health effects in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying hazardous substances and health effects to a local scenario.
- 2
Labels, safety data sheets and classification
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for labels, safety data sheets and classification in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for labels, safety data sheets and classification
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in labels, safety data sheets and classification, and how to avoid them
- Applying labels, safety data sheets and classification in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to labels, safety data sheets and classification.
- 3
COSHH assessment process
Weeks 5–6Practise COSHH assessment process on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in COSHH assessment process, and how to avoid them
- Applying COSHH assessment process in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your COSHH assessment process work
Assessed work: Group simulation using COSHH assessment process under time pressure.
- 4
Control measures, PPE and ventilation
Weeks 7–8Turn control measures, PPE and ventilation into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying control measures, PPE and ventilation in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your control measures, PPE and ventilation work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind control measures, PPE and ventilation
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use control measures, PPE and ventilation in your role.
- 5
Storage, spills, disposal and emergency response
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own storage, spills, disposal and emergency response work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your storage, spills, disposal and emergency response work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind storage, spills, disposal and emergency response
- Step-by-step methods and templates for storage, spills, disposal and emergency response
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering storage, spills, disposal and emergency response.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Prepare a COSHH assessment and control plan for one workplace.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Complete a COSHH assessment
- Select proportionate control measures
- Handle spills and disposal safely
Practical component
Prepare a COSHH assessment and control plan for one workplace.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.