This example covers cementitious floor smoothing compounds. Alkaline when mixed and able to burn skin and eyes, with silica dust controls for mixing and pouring.
This example COSHH risk assessment has been prepared using the
F-HS5 COSHH Assessment form template - a purpose-built template designed to focus entirely on what matters: identifying the hazards of each substance, recording the controls and PPE that manage them, and confirming exposure is adequately controlled, without any unnecessary fields getting in the way.
The file is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be saved to Google Docs if required, with pre-defined styles throughout to match the risk ratings.
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- Form number and title
- Information-classification
- Version
- Page number / total pages
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COSHH Assessment - Floor Smoothing Compound (Cementitious / Calcium Sulphate)
This pre-completed COSHH assessment covers pre-blended floor smoothing and levelling compounds - cement or calcium-sulphate based powders mixed with water on site to level subfloors before floorcoverings. Wet cementitious grades are strongly alkaline (around pH 12–13) and can burn skin and eyes, while the powder contains respirable crystalline silica, so both dust and wet contact need controlling.
What Does This COSHH Assessment Cover?
The assessment is fully completed and ready to use, covering all sections required for a complete hazardous substance risk assessment:
- Substance identification - cement or calcium sulphate powder with silica sand and polymers, SDS reference and physical state
- Health effects and first aid - alkaline burns and dermatitis from wet compound, dust irritation and long-term lung disease risk from respirable crystalline silica, with specific first aid for each route
- Dust and wet-contact controls - careful bag opening, pouring close to the mixing vessel, low-speed mixing and waterproof knee protection when kneeling on wet material
- Workplace exposure limits - respirable crystalline silica TWA 0.1 mg/m³, with Portland cement inhalable 10 mg/m³ and respirable 4 mg/m³
- CLP hazard classification - Irritant and Corrosive pictograms
- PPE requirements - FFP3 dust mask for opening bags, pouring and mixing; sealed goggles; long-cuff chemical-resistant gauntlets to EN374; waterproof coveralls and S3 waterproof boots
- Emergency procedures - dry powder collected without raising dust, wet compound contained and cured before disposal as construction waste
Who Is This COSHH Assessment For?
This assessment is suitable for any workplace where smoothing compound is mixed and laid, including:
- Flooring contractors and screeders
- Fit-out and refurbishment contractors
- Shopfitting projects preparing subfloors
- Facilities and building maintenance teams
Working From the Safety Data Sheet
The assessment reflects the hazards and controls found in typical manufacturer safety data sheets for these compounds. Check the details against the SDS for the exact product in use, and record your own storage locations, users and site-specific controls in the relevant fields.
COSHH Compliance
This document provides ready-to-use evidence of COSHH compliance and supports occupational health and safety management. The assessment is based on the F-HS5 COSHH Assessment template, is fully editable in Microsoft Word, and can be customised with your company details, site-specific information and review dates.