Health & Wellbeing
Chemical Safety (COSHH)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health on UAE sites — GHS labels, Safety Data Sheets, COSHH assessments, storage, PPE, spill response and emergency treatment.
v2.0Updated 15 Feb 2026ADOSH-SF v4.1 (February 2026)Learning Objectives
- Read GHS labels and pictograms correctly.
- Interpret the 16-section Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Complete a COSHH assessment and choose the right controls.
- Store, decant and dispose of chemicals safely.
- Respond to spills, splashes and inhalation incidents.
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1. UAE Framework & GHS
Chemicals on UAE sites are classified under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS). ADOSH-SF CoP 22 (Hazardous Substances) and Federal Law 24 of 1999 on Environment set the legal baseline. Every container must carry a GHS label with pictogram, signal word (Danger/Warning), hazard statements (H-codes) and precautionary statements (P-codes).
2. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Every hazardous substance requires a current SDS in English (and Arabic where practicable), kept in the store and at the point of use. All 16 sections must be present — especially Section 4 (First-Aid), Section 7 (Storage), Section 8 (Exposure controls/PPE) and Section 13 (Disposal). Workers briefed before first use.
3. COSHH Assessment Hierarchy
Assess: identify substance, quantity, route of exposure (inhale/skin/ingest/eye), duration and workers exposed. Control by hierarchy: Eliminate → Substitute → Engineering (ventilation, enclosure) → Admin (procedures, rotation) → PPE (last resort). Never rely on PPE alone as the primary control.
4. Storage, Segregation & Decanting
Store in a bunded, ventilated, locked area — 110% bund capacity of largest container. Segregate incompatibles (acids from bases, oxidisers from fuels/flammables, cyanides from acids). Never decant into unlabelled bottles or drinks containers — a leading cause of poisoning incidents on site.
5. PPE & Hygiene
Select PPE from SDS Section 8: chemical goggles + face shield for splash risk, nitrile or specific-permeation gloves (check breakthrough time), coveralls, respirators (P3/A2 filters per contaminant). Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking or toilet — no eating in chemical stores or work zones.
6. Spills, Splashes & Emergency Response
Small spill: absorb with vermiculite/pads, contain with bunds, dispose as hazardous waste. Large spill: evacuate, ventilate, call HSE and emergency services. Skin splash: wash 15 minutes with clean water. Eye splash: emergency eye-wash 15 minutes, then hospital. Inhalation: fresh air, medical review. Take the SDS to hospital with the casualty.
Knowledge Assessment
1. GHS stands for:
2. A Safety Data Sheet has how many sections?
3. The COSHH hierarchy places PPE as:
4. Chemical stores should be bunded to at least:
5. Decanting chemicals into a drinks bottle is:
6. Acids and bases should be stored:
7. Skin splash of a corrosive is flushed for:
8. Glove selection considers:
9. When a casualty goes to hospital, send with them:
10. GHS pictograms include:
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