Last updated: April 2026

Review date: April 2027

This Policy defines the precautions to be taken, and the arrangements in place, to ensure that substances used in the Nursery setting that are potentially hazardous to health are controlled within limits established by the C.O.S.H.H. Regulations, latest revision.

These substances will include the following that are in every-day use: Detergents / washing powders / washing-up liquids / other cleansing agents. Antiseptics / disinfectants / other germicidal and biocidal agents. Oven cleaners / scouring powders / other kitchen materials. Pesticides / insecticides / rodenticides / other toxic pest control materials. Drain cleaners / wood preservatives / herbicides.

The responsibility for carrying out a planned programme of C.O.S.H.H. Assessments will be that of a “Competent Person” appointed for the purpose as set out in Regulation 6 of the "Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations, 1992". (This can be the Nursery Manager or appointed delegate).

For each substance used within the setting there will be a copy of the Safety Data Sheet kept on file. Protective clothing must be worn when using substances covered by COSHH, as directed on the data sheets, please refer to disposable/ reusable clothing policy.

All substances must be stored securely and safely away from children in designated storage areas. The responsibility of ensuring substances are stored correctly remains with that of the “Competent Person”.

Safe Use of Disinfectants

• All disinfectants will be purchased as concentrates and stored in the Nursery in accordance with the nursery policy covering the storage of cleaning materials.
• Kept in designated cleaning cupboards, locked when not in use and the key being held by the senior duty staff member.
• Large containers will be stored on the floor, oldest stock at the front and newest stock at the Materials are selected from the front as required to facilitate stock rotation.

When handling disinfectants for cleaning purposes staff must observe the following:

• Appropriate C.O.S.H.H. precautions, as depicted on the container labels. Particular attention must be paid to:
  • Instructions for wearing gloves and other protective clothing;
  • First Aid procedures to be followed if the concentrate splashes into the eyes or mouth, or onto the skin.
  • The correct dilution ratios of the disinfectant concentrates with water to ensure maximum efficacy of disinfection.
• Disinfectants may be used in accordance with appropriate documented cleaning procedures, where their use is Only sufficient diluted disinfectant for the immediate cleaning task should be prepared to avoid unnecessary wastage.
• Dilutions must be made in a separate freshly-rinsed clean vessel, and using fresh tap water.
• All diluted disinfectants must be used on the day of dilution and any remaining at the end of the day must be discarded directly into the household drains.
• Diluted disinfectants should not be held over and used on subsequent days since once diluted, disinfectants rapidly lose their biological activity.
• Any chemicals decanted into another bottle must be clearly labelled and stored out of the reach of children.