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COSHH signs UK guide

Chemical storage, decanted container labels, COSHH cabinets, and emergency response. The signage layer that makes COSHH 2002 work in practice.

By Direct Signs Team · ISO 9001 certified UK manufacturer · Updated May 2026

The short answer

UK COSHH signage operates on two layers: CLP/GHS labels on containers and substances (red diamond hazard pictograms) and BS EN ISO 7010 workplace signs (warning, mandatory, prohibition) at the storage and handling areas. Required under COSHH 2002 + the Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996. Cabinet signage, decanted container labels, eye wash directional signage, and emergency procedure boards are the most common requirements.

The legal framework

  • COSHH 2002 — Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
  • CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 — Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances
  • Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 — workplace signage
  • DSEAR 2002 — Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres (additional layer for flammables)
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — overarching duty of care

Two-layer signage approach

COSHH compliance combines two distinct signage systems:

  1. Substance-level (CLP/GHS): red-diamond hazard pictograms on every container — flammable, toxic, corrosive, environmental hazard, etc. See our CLP/GHS guide for full pictogram reference.
  2. Workplace-level (BS EN ISO 7010): yellow warning triangles at hazardous areas, blue mandatory PPE signs at entry points, red prohibition signs (no smoking, no naked flame) where flammables are stored.

Both apply simultaneously. A chemical storage cabinet has CLP-labelled bottles inside and BS EN ISO 7010 mandatory PPE signage on the door.

COSHH cabinet signage checklist

  • Cabinet identification — "COSHH chemical store" or specific contents
  • Authorised personnel only — if access is restricted
  • Hazard pictograms — CLP red diamonds matching what\'s inside (flammable, toxic, corrosive)
  • PPE required — mandatory signs (gloves, eye protection, respirator if needed)
  • Emergency contacts — site lead, occupational health, poison information
  • SDS location — where Safety Data Sheets are filed for these substances
  • Spill procedure — short-form emergency response, location of spill kit
  • For flammable cabinets: P002 no smoking + P003 no naked flame

Decanted container labelling

One of the most common COSHH non-conformance findings is unlabelled decanted containers — chemicals transferred from supplier packaging into spray bottles, dispensers, or lab vessels without proper relabelling. Each new container must show:

  • Substance name (full chemical name, not "cleaner")
  • Hazard pictogram(s) — CLP red diamond format
  • Signal word — "Danger" or "Warning"
  • Minimum hazard statements (H-codes)
  • Minimum precautionary statements (P-codes)
  • Concentration if diluted

Direct Signs supplies bespoke decanted-container labels with your substance database — typically supplied as printable rolls compatible with Brother or Zebra label printers, or as pre-printed sets for fixed substances.

Emergency response signage

COSHH Step 6 (emergencies) requires plans for foreseeable accidents. Signage layer:

  • Eye wash station (E011) — at every chemical workstation; reachable within 10 seconds
  • Emergency shower (E007) — for chemical-handling areas with whole-body splash risk
  • First aid station (E003) — with chemical-trained first aiders identified
  • Spill kit location — typically green or yellow rectangle with spill-kit pictogram
  • Emergency contacts board — site lead, occupational health, NHS 111, local A&E with chemical capability
  • Evacuation route with E001 fire exit signs (chemical fires often need different egress than general fire)

Sector applications

Laboratories: the densest COSHH environment. Cabinet labelling, fume cupboard signage, lab-area mandatory PPE, decanted reagent labelling, biohazard signage, glove-removal procedures.

Manufacturing: COSHH stores for cleaning chemicals, paints, solvents. Mandatory PPE at entry to spray booths, mixing rooms, plating areas.

Healthcare: medication and disinfectant storage, sluice rooms, mortuary, sterile services. Often combined with biohazard signage.

Education: science prep rooms, technology workshops, art rooms with solvents. Strong PPE mandates given mixed-age users.

Hospitality: cleaning chemical storage, kitchen degreasers, swimming pool chemical bays. Decanted container labelling commonly inspected.

Materials for COSHH signage

  • Self-adhesive vinyl + chemical-resistant laminate — cabinet doors, decanted containers
  • Rigid PVC — wall-mounted area signs and emergency procedure boards
  • Photopolymer or stainless steel — high-spill labs, plating shops
  • Thermal-printable label rolls — for in-house decanted container labelling stations
  • Photoluminescent specifications — emergency egress in chemical storage areas where lighting may fail

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Quick answers

COSHH sign FAQs

What is COSHH?
COSHH is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 — the UK regulation governing how employers must protect workers from hazardous substances. It covers chemicals, dust, fumes, vapours, biological agents, and asphyxiating gases. COSHH compliance has eight steps: assess, prevent or control, ensure control measures are used and maintained, monitor exposure, health surveillance, planning for emergencies, training, and review.

Where does COSHH signage fit?
COSHH signs support steps 2 (prevent/control), 6 (emergencies), and 7 (training). They identify storage areas, alert to specific hazards, mandate PPE, communicate emergency procedures, and label decanted containers. The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996 require this signage to comply with BS EN ISO 7010 (warning, mandatory, prohibition pictograms) and CLP/GHS (substance-level pictograms).

Do all chemical containers need labels?
Yes — under CLP/GHS, every supplied chemical container carries a manufacturer label. When chemicals are decanted into smaller containers (spray bottles, dispensers, lab vessels) for workplace use, the new container must be labelled with substance name, hazard pictogram(s), and minimum precautionary statements. Unlabelled decanted chemicals are one of the most common COSHH inspection findings.

What signs are needed at a COSHH cabinet?
Standard COSHH cabinet signage includes: (1) "COSHH cabinet" identification, (2) "authorised personnel only" if access is restricted, (3) the relevant hazard pictograms for what's stored inside (flammable, toxic, corrosive), (4) emergency contact and safety data sheet (SDS) location, (5) "no smoking / no naked flame" if flammables present, (6) PPE requirements before opening (gloves, eye protection).

Do we need eye wash signage with COSHH?
If your COSHH risk assessment identifies eye splash risk (most chemical workplaces), you must provide eye wash facilities and signage. The sign uses the green-rectangle E011 BS EN ISO 7010 pictogram. It must be at the equipment itself plus directional signage from the work area. Equipment must be reachable within 10 seconds of exposure (commonly-cited US ANSI Z358.1 best practice).

How does CLP/GHS labelling differ from BS EN ISO 7010?
CLP/GHS pictograms are substance-level (red diamond with specific hazard symbol) — they label what's in the container or storage. BS EN ISO 7010 pictograms are workplace-level (yellow triangle warning, blue mandatory) — they label what to do in the area. Both apply: a chemical store has a CLP-labelled container plus a BS EN ISO 7010 "wear gloves" mandatory sign at the door.

What materials are best for COSHH signage?
In chemical-handling environments, signage must withstand spills, vapour, and cleaning. Self-adhesive vinyl with chemical-resistant laminate is the workhorse for cabinet doors and decanted containers. Rigid PVC for wall-mounted area signs. For high-spill or splash environments (laboratories, plating shops), photopolymer or stainless steel tactile signs that can be wiped down without delamination. For decanted container labels, water-resistant vinyl with thermal-printer compatibility.

COSHH signage to spec

Cabinet labels, decanted container sets, emergency procedure boards. Bespoke pictograms with your substance list, manufactured in 3-5 working days.

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