We use this procedure to set out exactly how oils, chemicals and other hazardous substances are managed across the business - storage, COSHH assessment, hierarchy of control, SDS, pictograms, PPE, the lot. It is the document we hand to new staff and the document the auditor walks through to evidence operational control over chemical use.
This policy-procedure template is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:
- Procedure number and title
- Information-classification
- Version
- Page number / total pages
An amendment record is included so changes between issues can be tracked.
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Further guidance on managing oils, chemicals and hazardous substances:
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Environmental Oils, Chemicals and COSHH Policy Procedure Template
The PP-6-03 Environmental Oils, Chemicals and COSHH Policy Procedure sets out how the organisation manages hazardous substances - from selection and purchase, through storage and use, to disposal and emergency response. It is the operational document that turns the company's environmental policy commitments into the day-to-day arrangements that staff and contractors are expected to follow when handling oils, chemicals and substances hazardous to health.
The procedure addresses every stage of the hazardous substance process - identification, COSHH assessment, SDS, hazard pictograms, PPE, storage and bunding, transport, personal hygiene controls, spill response and disposal - so that the company can evidence operational control under ISO 14001 clause 8.1 and meet its statutory COSHH duties.
What the Procedure Covers
PP-6-03 is structured as a single oils, chemicals and COSHH procedure with topic sections, so staff and auditors can find the relevant arrangements without navigating multiple documents:
- COSHH Regulations and the Hierarchy of Control - the framework for managing hazardous substances in order of preference, from elimination through to PPE
- Identifying Hazardous Substances - what counts as a hazardous substance and how new substances are flagged for assessment
- The COSHH Assessment Process - how assessments are completed using F-HS5 and reviewed
- The COSHH Register - maintaining F-HS4 as the master record of assessed substances
- Safety Data Sheets - obtaining, storing and using SDS information
- Hazard Pictograms and PPE Pictograms - the CLP hazard pictograms and PPE symbols, embedded in the procedure for quick reference
- Selection and Use of PPE - matching protection to the assessed risk
- Oil and Chemical Storage - segregation, signage, security and bunding (110% / 25% rule for oil containers)
- Transport of Hazardous Substances - ADR and CDG considerations where applicable
- Use of COSHH and Personal Hygiene Controls - the workplace controls that turn an assessment into safe practice
- COSHH Assessment Review - when and how assessments are revisited
- Spill Response - immediate response, with cross-reference to PP-6-05 for the full spill procedure
- Disposal of Hazardous Substances - safe and legal disposal routes, with cross-reference to PP-6-02 for the wider waste arrangements
Aligned with ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 14001:2026
PP-6-03 has been refreshed for the current edition of the standard and remains aligned with both ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 14001:2026. The underlying COSHH and chemical management arrangements have not changed significantly between the two editions, so the procedure is suitable for organisations certified to either version - whether you are on the 2015 standard, working through the transition or already operating against 2026.
Chemical management evidences operational control under clause 8.1 and is typically identified as a significant environmental aspect at clause 6.1.2. The refresh picks up the broader environmental scope introduced at clause 4.1 in ISO 14001:2026, where resource use, pollution prevention and the lifecycle treatment of hazardous substances sit naturally.
How It Fits with the Other Environmental Procedures
PP-6-03 is one of the operational procedures introduced by PP-6-01 Environmental Management and supplied alongside it in the toolkit:
- PP-6-02 Environmental Waste Management
- PP-6-04 Environmental Emergency Response
- PP-6-05 Environmental Spills
- PP-6-06 Environmental Energy Management
If you prefer a single document rather than the procedure stack, the PP-6-100 Environmental Management Policy Procedure combines oils, chemicals and COSHH with the other operational topics into one consolidated procedure.
Who Needs an Oils, Chemicals and COSHH Procedure?
Every organisation operating an ISO 14001 environmental management system that uses or stores hazardous substances needs a documented procedure setting out how those substances are managed. PP-6-03 is suitable for SMEs running an environmental management system in isolation or as part of an integrated management system. It is particularly important for organisations holding bulk oils or chemicals, using substances subject to COSHH regulations, or running activities where spill risk to drains, soil or watercourses is credible.
Included in Every ISO 14001 Toolkit
This procedure is included in every alphaZ ISO 14001 toolkit and integrated toolkit covering environmental management. If you are building or rebuilding a management system, the toolkit route is the most efficient way to get the full set of documents you need.
Works with the Environmental Policy
PP-6-03 sits alongside the P-2 Environmental Policy. The policy is the top-level statement of commitment approved by top management; the policy-procedure is the operating document that turns those commitments into the day-to-day arrangements staff and contractors are expected to follow when handling oils, chemicals and other hazardous substances.