COSHH & Cleaning Chemicals: A Practical Guide

Compliance Centre › COSHH & Cleaning Chemicals

Pressure washing is rarely just water. The moment a chemical enters the job, COSHH applies — and with the 2026 RIDDOR proposals putting dermatitis and respiratory disease back on the reportable list, getting exposure control right has rarely mattered more.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) require employers to assess, prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances. Traffic film removers, degreasers and disinfectants are formulated to shift contamination, which is exactly why they need handling with respect.

Why this connects to RIDDOR

The 2026 RIDDOR consultation proposes reintroducing occupational dermatitis and adding respiratory sensitisation to the reportable-disease list. Both are routes by which routine chemical exposure — not a single dramatic accident — becomes a regulatory event. Sound COSHH control is the front line that keeps those reports from ever being needed.

The four exposure routes

• Inhalation — mists, aerosols and fumes; the main concern in spray application.
• Skin contact — the dermatitis route: splashes, immersion, contaminated gloves.
• Eye contact — splashes can cause serious, sometimes irreversible, eye damage.
• Ingestion — rare but serious, usually via contaminated hands, food or decanting.

Know your hazard group: alkaline vs. other chemistries

Most heavy-duty cleaning chemicals are alkaline — that high pH is what lifts grease, oil and traffic film. The higher and more concentrated the alkalinity, the more aggressively it attacks skin and eyes.

Product	Typical pH	Key classification	Signal
Non-Caustic TFR	10.5–12.5	Skin Irrit. 2 · Eye Dam. 1	Danger
General Purpose TFR	13–14	Skin Irrit. 2 · Eye Irrit. 2	Warning
Heavy Duty Degreaser	13.5	Skin Corr. 1A	Danger
D-GREEN	6–10	Skin Corr. 1B · Aquatic Chronic 2	Danger

Note that pH alone doesn’t tell the whole story: D-GREEN sits near neutral yet is still classified corrosive and an environmental hazard, because its active ingredient drives both. This is exactly why you read the Safety Data Sheet rather than judging by feel or smell. Never mix products — combining acids and alkalis can produce heat, violent reactions or toxic gas.

Matching PPE to the task

PPE is the last line of defence, after you’ve tried to eliminate or control exposure at source (dilution, ventilation, low-pressure application, splash guards). Across the V-TUF range the recurring recommendations are:

• Hands — chemical-resistant gloves (PVC) for any direct handling, decanting or immersion.
• Eyes / face — approved safety goggles; face protection where splashing is likely.
• Body — chemical protective clothing for corrosive products.
• Respiratory — suitable RPE where ventilation is insufficient (enclosed bays, fine mist).

A five-step COSHH routine for cleaning tasks

1. Identify the substance — start from the SDS; note classification, hazard statements and exposure limits.
2. Assess the exposure — how it’s used, who’s nearby, how long, how concentrated, how ventilated.
3. Control at source first — dilute correctly, work at the lowest effective pressure, ventilate, contain splashes.
4. Specify and supply PPE — match to the SDS; train people to use, check and replace it.
5. Plan for the worst case — know the first-aid response, keep eyewash to hand, keep the SDS accessible.

Go deeper

• Read the full Safety Data Sheets
• The RIDDOR 2026 Briefing
• Back to the Compliance Centre

Note: This guide is general information to support your own COSHH risk assessment — it is not legal or safety advice, and not a substitute for the full Safety Data Sheet supplied with each product.