4 ways to automate in-house COSHH training

#1 - Simple training log

Who it's for: Managers who know the COSHH controls and want to brief staff, with a record it happened.

What it is: In-house COSHH training is a short session a manager delivers to staff. This version is a checklist of the points to cover, reading the label and safety data sheet, using the right product and dilution, wearing the PPE, never mixing chemicals, storing them correctly, and what to do for a spill or skin contact, plus a field for who was trained.

Available on: Basic.

In practice: A manager runs a new kitchen porter through the degreaser label, the correct dilution, the gloves it needs, and why it must never go near the bleach, and lists who attended. Fifteen minutes, and a record the team was trained.

Why it works: The points sit on the canvas, so the session covers the same ground every time. Listing who was trained up front means the record works whether you train one person or the whole team.

Steps included:

• 1 checklist (6 COSHH points to cover)
• 1 field for who was trained (names)

When to upgrade:

1. The manager delivering it wants the detail to hand
2. You need to show staff understood, not just attended
3. You run several sites and need a signed record per session

#2 - With guidance

Who it's for: Managers who want the actual content for each point so the session is consistent.

What it is: The simple log with guidance panels: reading the label and safety data sheet, the right dilution and contact time, PPE, the never-mix rule, and storage. Any manager can deliver the same session whether or not they know it cold.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. The never-mix rule and the PPE for each product are on screen, not in the manager's memory
2. Every session covers the same material
3. A new manager can deliver it from day one

Why it works: The guidance carries the content, so the session doesn't depend on the trainer remembering the detail.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note (the content for each point)
• 1 checklist (6 COSHH points)
• 1 field for who was trained

When to upgrade: When you need to show staff understood (COSHH Training #3), or a signed record per session (COSHH Training #4).

#3 - With check of understanding

Who it's for: Operations that need to show the training landed, not just that a session ran.

What it is: The guided session plus a short check of understanding: the trainer ticks what each trainee was able to show, reading a label and knowing the dilution, the never-mix rule, and what to do for a spill or skin contact.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. The session records that staff could show the basics, not just watch
2. The record means more to an inspector than attendance alone
3. It flags who might need another run-through

Why it works: Attendance proves someone was in the room; a check of understanding proves they can do it.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note (the content for each point)
• 1 checklist (6 COSHH points)
• 1 field for who was trained
• 1 check of understanding (3 competence items)

When to upgrade: When you need a signed, evidenced record per session for a multi-site standard (COSHH Training #4).

#4 - With photo and sign-off

Who it's for: Multi-site groups that need a signed training record for every session.

What it is: The checked session plus a photo of the session or the staff trained, and a single trainer signature confirming delivery to the staff named. One signature covers the session, however many attended.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. A photo of the session as proof it happened
2. A single trainer signature confirming delivery to the named staff
3. A complete, dated training record per session, comparable across sites

Why it works: The trainer signature plus the names captured up front is the record, without needing a signature from every attendee.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note (the content for each point)
• 1 checklist (6 COSHH points)
• 1 field for who was trained
• 1 check of understanding
• 1 photo of the session
• 1 trainer signature

When to upgrade: When you want Poppi to track who's due a refresher, or roll every site's sessions into one training report. Those versions are coming in the next post update.

How to pick the right version

You don't need to know our product to choose. Just answer three questions.

Does the manager delivering it know the COSHH controls well?

If they do and just want a record, a plain log is enough. If not, the content needs to be on the screen. If the trainer knows it cold, #1 is fine. Otherwise start at #2.

Do you need to show staff understood, or just attended?

An attendance log shows a session ran; a check of understanding shows staff could do the basics. If attendance is enough, stop at #2. If you need to show it landed, #3 adds the check.

Do you need a signed record?

In one site, the log speaks for itself. Across sites, you want a signed, comparable record. If no sign-off is needed, #3 is enough. If you run more than one site, #4 adds a photo and a trainer signature.

Related reading

• COSHH risk assessment - the assessment behind this training
• In-house dermatitis training - skin protection from chemicals
• In-house PPE training - the gloves and protection chemicals need

Frequently asked questions

What does COSHH stand for?

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, the regulations that cover hazardous substances like cleaning chemicals. You assess the substances you use, then train staff to use them safely. This session is the training half.

How is this different from the COSHH risk assessment?

The COSHH risk assessment lists the substances and the controls for each. This training briefs staff on those controls and records that they can use the chemicals safely.

How do I record who was trained when numbers vary?

List the names up front and the trainer signs off once to confirm delivery to those staff.

Where to go next

In-house COSHH training turns safe chemical use and the never-mix rule into a short repeatable session with a record it happened and landed. The versions above move from a simple log to a signed, checked record.

Five more versions are coming in the next refresh that bring AI into the training. Poppi can track who's due a refresher and roll every site's sessions into one report. Those need more review time and will land separately.

→ Build your own in-house COSHH training on Pilla. The Basic plan unlocks the simple log today.