COSHH Assessment for Gardening Chemicals: Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilisers

TL;DR: If you run a landscaping, grounds maintenance, or gardening business, almost every chemical substance you work with needs a COSHH assessment. That includes glyphosate-based weedkillers, selective herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilisers, petrol, two-stroke oil, chainsaw bar oil, and wood preservatives. For each product, you need the Safety Data Sheet, the hazard classifications and H-codes, documented control measures, and a review date. This guide walks you through everything — with a full worked example for glyphosate, real H-codes, spraying regulations, storage requirements, environmental considerations, and the common mistakes that catch landscapers out.

Introduction: Why Landscapers Need COSHH Assessments

Most landscaping business owners do not think of themselves as people who work with hazardous chemicals. You mow lawns, trim hedges, lay patios, plant borders. The chemicals are just part of the background — a quick spray of weedkiller here, a handful of fertiliser there, a tank of petrol in the mower.

But here is the reality: if you add up every substance you use in a typical week, the list is longer than you think. Glyphosate weedkiller. Selective lawn herbicide. Granular fertiliser. Liquid feed. Petrol. Diesel. Two-stroke fuel mix. Chainsaw bar and chain oil. Wood preservative. Fungicide for rose beds. Insecticide for aphid infestations. Moss killer for driveways.

Every single one of those products carries hazard classifications. Every single one falls under COSHH. And every single one needs a documented assessment.

In the United Kingdom, this obligation comes from the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In Ireland, the equivalent is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2001, enforced under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Both sets of regulations say the same thing: if you use hazardous substances at work, you must assess the risks and put controls in place. If you employ anyone — even one person on a casual basis — you must record your assessments in writing. Sole traders are not exempt from the assessment itself; you are still legally required to carry out the process even if you are not obliged to write it down. In practice, you should write it down anyway, because commercial clients, councils, and property management companies will ask to see your documentation before they award a contract.

If you are new to COSHH or want a broader overview of how it works across all industries, our complete COSHH assessment guide covers the fundamentals. This article focuses specifically on the chemicals you encounter in landscaping and grounds maintenance work.

For the bigger picture of health and safety obligations in this trade, see our guide to health and safety for landscaping businesses.

Which Gardening Chemicals Need a COSHH Assessment?

The short answer: any product with a hazard pictogram on the label. The longer answer: virtually everything you carry on your van or store in your yard.

Here is a breakdown of the most common gardening and landscaping chemicals that require a COSHH assessment, along with their typical hazard classifications, H-codes, and the PPE you should consider.

Herbicides

Product Type	Example Products	Common H-Codes	Key Hazards	Minimum PPE
Glyphosate-based herbicide	Roundup ProActive, Gallup Hi-Aktiv, Nomix Dual	H318, H411	Serious eye damage; toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, face shield when spraying
Selective lawn herbicide	Vitax Green Up, Evergreen Complete, SBK Brushwood Killer	H302, H317, H411	Harmful if swallowed; may cause allergic skin reaction; aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection
Triclopyr-based herbicide	SBK Brushwood Killer, Grazon Pro	H302, H312, H318, H411	Harmful if swallowed/skin contact; serious eye damage; aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, coveralls

Pesticides, Insecticides, and Fungicides

Product Type	Example Products	Common H-Codes	Key Hazards	Minimum PPE
Insecticide (pyrethroid-based)	Decis Protech, Hallmark	H302, H332, H400, H410	Harmful if swallowed/inhaled; very toxic to aquatic life	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection when spraying
Fungicide	Amistar, Dithane 945	H302, H317, H351, H400	Harmful if swallowed; skin sensitiser; suspected carcinogen (some); aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, coveralls
Moss killer (ferrous sulphate)	MO Bacter, Ferrosol	H302, H319	Harmful if swallowed; eye irritant	Gloves, eye protection

Fertilisers

Product Type	Example Products	Common H-Codes	Key Hazards	Minimum PPE
Granular NPK fertiliser	Growmore, Westland Aftercut	H319	Eye irritant; potential dust inhalation	Gloves, eye protection, dust mask if spreading large quantities
Ammonium nitrate fertiliser	Various professional grades	H272, H319	Oxidiser (fire risk); eye irritant	Gloves, eye protection; store away from fuel and combustibles
Liquid feed concentrate	Miracle-Gro, Phostrogen	H318, H412	Serious eye damage; harmful to aquatic life	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection

Fuels and Oils

Product Type	Example Products	Common H-Codes	Key Hazards	Minimum PPE
Petrol (unleaded)	Any forecourt fuel	H225, H304, H315, H336, H340, H350, H361, H411	Highly flammable; aspiration hazard; skin irritant; carcinogen (benzene content); aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection; no smoking; avoid inhalation
Diesel	Any forecourt fuel	H226, H304, H315, H332, H351, H411	Flammable; aspiration hazard; skin irritant; suspected carcinogen; aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection
Two-stroke oil mix	Stihl HP, Husqvarna LS+, Oregon	H304, H315, H411	Aspiration hazard; skin irritant; aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves
Chainsaw bar and chain oil	Stihl BioPlus, Husqvarna X-Guard, Oregon	H304, H411 (mineral-based); biodegradable versions may have fewer H-codes	Aspiration hazard; aquatic toxicity	Gloves

Wood Treatments and Preservatives

Product Type	Example Products	Common H-Codes	Key Hazards	Minimum PPE
Wood preservative (solvent-based)	Cuprinol Trade, Barrettine Premier	H226, H304, H315, H336, H411	Flammable; aspiration hazard; skin irritant; drowsiness; aquatic toxicity	Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection in enclosed areas
Wood preservative (water-based)	Ronseal Fencelife Plus, Cuprinol Ducksback	H317, H411	Skin sensitiser; aquatic toxicity	Gloves, eye protection

Do not assume “off-the-shelf” products are exempt

This is a trap many landscapers fall into. You might buy your weedkiller from a garden centre or your petrol from a filling station, and assume that because it is available to the general public, it does not need a COSHH assessment. That is not how the law works. Any product with a hazard pictogram — one of those red-bordered diamond symbols — that you use in the course of your work falls under COSHH. No exceptions.

Where to Find Safety Data Sheets for Gardening Chemicals

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the foundation of every COSHH assessment. It is a standardised document, usually 8 to 16 pages, that tells you everything about a product’s hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency procedures, and environmental impact. Without it, you cannot complete a COSHH assessment.

How to get them

Ask your supplier. Whether you buy from an agricultural merchant, garden centre trade counter, or online distributor, the supplier is legally required to provide an SDS for any hazardous product they sell. Many trade suppliers include them with orders or have them available on their websites.
Check the manufacturer’s website. Most manufacturers publish SDS documents online. Search for the exact product name followed by “Safety Data Sheet” or “SDS.” For example, searching “Roundup ProActive 360 Safety Data Sheet” will usually take you directly to the document on the Bayer website.
Try the HSE database. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance and links to product databases. The Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) maintains a register of authorised plant protection products, which can help you track down the correct SDS.
Contact the manufacturer directly. If you cannot find it online, phone or email them. Under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 — which still applies in both the UK (as retained EU law) and Ireland — suppliers and manufacturers must provide an SDS free of charge, in the official language of the country, in the most current version.

Keep them organised

Print out the SDS for every product you use — or at minimum, save a digital copy in a clearly labelled folder. An inspector will want to see that you have the SDS available alongside your COSHH assessments. A folder on your van’s dashboard or a shared cloud folder accessible on your phone is fine, as long as you can produce them on request.

Step by Step: COSHH Assessment for Glyphosate (Worked Example)

Let us walk through a complete COSHH assessment using glyphosate-based herbicide as a worked example. This is the most widely used weedkiller in commercial landscaping, and it is a good place to start because the hazards are well-documented and the product is familiar.

If you want a broader understanding of the COSHH assessment process, see our general COSHH assessment guide.

Step 1: Identify the substance

Product name: Roundup ProActive 360 (or whichever glyphosate product you use)
Active ingredient: Glyphosate (360 g/L as the isopropylamine salt)
Supplier: Purchased from [your agricultural merchant or distributor]
SDS obtained: Yes / date obtained
MAPP number (UK): Check the product label — all plant protection products authorised for use in the UK carry a MAPP number issued by the Chemicals Regulation Division

Step 2: Record the hazards (from the SDS)

From Section 2 of the Safety Data Sheet:

GHS Classification: Eye Dam. 1 (H318); Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411)
Hazard pictograms: Corrosion (GHS05), Environment (GHS09)
Signal word: Danger
H-codes:
- H318 — Causes serious eye damage
- H411 — Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
P-codes (key ones):
- P280 — Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection
- P305+P351+P338 — IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing
- P310 — Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor
- P391 — Collect spillage
- P501 — Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations

Step 3: Identify who is at risk

The person mixing and loading the sprayer (highest risk — handling concentrate)
The person spraying (direct contact with spray drift)
Other workers in the area during or immediately after spraying
Members of the public — especially if spraying on paths, car parks, or near public access areas
Vulnerable groups: anyone with pre-existing eye conditions, skin conditions, or respiratory sensitivity

Step 4: Assess the level of risk

Consider:

Route of exposure: Eye contact (splashes during mixing; spray drift), skin contact (splashes, contaminated gloves, wiping face with contaminated hands), ingestion (hand-to-mouth transfer, eating or drinking without washing hands), inhalation (minimal for glyphosate as it has low volatility, but mist inhalation is possible with fine droplet spray)
Frequency of use: Weekly during growing season (March to October); less frequent in winter
Duration of exposure: 1-4 hours per spraying session
Concentration: Used diluted as per manufacturer’s instructions (typically 10-15 ml per litre of water for general weed control)
Risk level before controls: Medium-High (serious eye damage hazard; frequent use; outdoor spraying involves variable conditions including wind)
Risk level after controls: Low (with correct PPE, application method, and administrative controls)

Step 5: Decide on control measures

Use the hierarchy of controls:

Elimination: Can you stop using glyphosate altogether? In some situations, yes — manual weeding, hoeing, or flame weeding may be viable for small areas. For large-scale weed control on hard surfaces, elimination is rarely practical.
Substitution: Can you use a less hazardous alternative? Pelargonic acid-based herbicides (e.g. Finalsan) have fewer H-codes but are less effective and more expensive. Consider them for sensitive areas near water or public spaces.
Engineering controls: Use a controlled droplet application (CDA) system or a knapsack sprayer with a low-drift nozzle to minimise spray drift. Avoid spraying in windy conditions (wind speed above 6 mph / Beaufort 2). Use a spray shield when treating near borders or water features.
Administrative controls: Ensure the operative holds a valid PA1/PA6a certificate (see spraying regulations below). Mix chemicals outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Never eat, drink, or smoke while handling. Wash hands and face after spraying. Display the SDS in the chemical store. Brief all staff on the risks and controls before each spraying session. Keep a spray record (legally required for professional use of plant protection products).
PPE: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, minimum EN 374). Safety goggles or face shield (EN 166) — essential given H318. Coveralls or long sleeves and trousers. Wellington boots or chemical-resistant footwear. In enclosed spraying situations (e.g. a greenhouse), consider an FFP2 respirator as well.

Step 6: Record emergency procedures

Eye contact: Rinse immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Hold eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek immediate medical attention — H318 means this product can cause irreversible eye damage.
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected skin with soap and water. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms occur (unlikely with glyphosate unless mist was inhaled in enclosed space).
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Seek immediate medical attention. Bring the product label or SDS.
Spillage: Contain with sand or absorbent material. Do not wash into drains or watercourses. Collect and dispose of as hazardous waste.

Step 7: Set a review date

Review at least once a year, or sooner if you change products, change application methods, or if there is an incident. Also review if the manufacturer issues an updated SDS.

Our Landscaping Kit includes pre-filled COSHH assessments for 8 common gardening chemicals — including glyphosate, selective herbicide, pyrethroid insecticide, and fertiliser. Ready to download today.

Control Measures for Gardening Chemicals — The Hierarchy

Once you have identified the hazards for each chemical, you need to decide on control measures. The law requires you to follow the hierarchy of controls, which puts the most effective measures first and personal protective equipment last.

1. Elimination — remove the hazard entirely

Can you stop using the chemical altogether? In landscaping, this is sometimes genuinely possible:

Manual weeding instead of herbicide application for small beds and borders
Flame weeding for paths and driveways (though this introduces its own fire risks)
Mulching to suppress weeds rather than spraying
Biological pest control (ladybirds, nematodes) instead of insecticides

Elimination is always the most effective control, but it is not always practical at commercial scale.

2. Substitution — replace with something less hazardous

If you cannot eliminate the chemical, can you switch to a less harmful alternative?

Pelargonic acid herbicides (e.g. Finalsan) instead of glyphosate for sensitive areas
Iron sulphate for moss control instead of chemical moss killers
Biodegradable chainsaw bar oil instead of mineral-based oil (fewer H-codes, lower aquatic toxicity)
Battery-powered equipment instead of petrol/two-stroke to eliminate fuel handling entirely

When comparing alternatives, look at the H-codes on the SDS. Fewer codes and lower severity numbers generally mean a less hazardous product.

3. Engineering controls — physically reduce exposure

Use low-drift nozzles on sprayers to reduce airborne chemical particles
Use controlled droplet application (CDA) systems for more precise delivery
Use a spray shield or guard when treating near beds, borders, or water features
Ensure good ventilation when mixing chemicals or using them in enclosed spaces (greenhouses, polytunnels)
Use closed transfer systems for pouring concentrates to prevent splashes

4. Administrative controls — change the way people work

Ensure all operatives who apply plant protection products hold the required certificates (PA1/PA6a — see below)
Train staff on safe mixing, application, and clean-up procedures
Keep spray records as required by law
Display SDS documents and COSHH assessment summaries where chemicals are stored
Never eat, drink, or smoke while handling chemicals
Schedule spraying for calm weather — low wind, no rain forecast for the application period
Rotate tasks so no single person is exposed to the same chemical all day
Include COSHH in your induction training for new staff

5. PPE — personal protective equipment

PPE is the last line of defence, not the first. You should always use it alongside other controls, not instead of them. But it remains essential — particularly in landscaping, where outdoor conditions and variable weather make engineering controls harder to maintain.

PPE for Landscaping Chemical Use

Getting PPE right is critical in landscaping work. The conditions are variable — you are outdoors, on uneven ground, often working alone, and the weather changes. Here is what you need for different tasks.

Gloves

Chemical-resistant gloves are essential whenever you handle concentrates, mix chemicals, or apply products by spraying. Nitrile gloves rated to EN 374 are the standard. For mixing and decanting, use longer gauntlet-style gloves that protect the wrists and forearms.

Do not use gardening gloves or leather gloves for chemical handling — they absorb liquids and hold the chemical against your skin, making things worse.

Eye protection

Eye protection is required whenever there is a splash risk. For landscaping chemicals, this means:

Mixing and loading sprayers — the point of highest risk, as you are handling concentrates
Spraying — especially overhead or in windy conditions
Handling any product with H318 (causes serious eye damage) — this includes most glyphosate products, many liquid fertiliser concentrates, and some fungicides

Safety glasses to EN 166 are the minimum. For mixing concentrates and products carrying H318, use chemical splash goggles or a full face shield.

Face shields for spraying

When using a knapsack sprayer or lance, a face shield provides better protection than goggles alone — it covers the entire face and prevents spray drift from reaching your mouth and nose. This is particularly important for products with H318 or when spraying overhead (e.g. treating ivy on walls or trees).

Respiratory protection

For most outdoor spraying tasks with properly calibrated equipment and low-drift nozzles, respiratory protection is not required — the open-air environment provides sufficient dilution. However, you should consider it in these situations:

Spraying in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces — greenhouses, polytunnels, walled gardens
Using fogging or misting equipment that generates very fine droplets
Applying products with respiratory hazard H-codes (H332 — harmful if inhaled; H335 — may cause respiratory irritation)
Applying insecticides (many pyrethroid-based products carry inhalation hazard codes)

An FFP2 respirator mask is usually sufficient for short-duration tasks. For prolonged spraying in enclosed spaces, a half-face respirator with combination A1P2 filters (organic vapour plus particulate) provides better protection.

Protective clothing

Coveralls or a long-sleeved shirt and trousers are the minimum when spraying. Purpose-made chemical-resistant coveralls (e.g. disposable Tyvek suits) offer the best protection when mixing concentrates or carrying out large-scale spraying operations. Wellington boots or chemical-resistant footwear should be worn rather than trainers or work boots that absorb spray.

Spraying Regulations: PA1/PA6 Certificates, Buffer Zones, and LERAP

If your business applies plant protection products (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides) professionally, there are additional regulations beyond COSHH that you must comply with. These come under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 in the UK.

PA1 and PA6 certificates

In the United Kingdom, anyone who applies plant protection products as part of their professional work must hold the relevant National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) certificates — now administered by City & Guilds:

PA1 — Foundation module covering the safe use, storage, and handling of plant protection products. This is required before you take any other PA module.
PA6a — Hand-held applicators (knapsack sprayers, lance sprayers). This is the most common certificate for landscapers.
PA6aw — Hand-held applicators near water.
PA2 — Boom sprayers (relevant if you maintain large areas of turf).

You cannot legally apply professional-use plant protection products without these certificates. If an HSE inspector visits your site and your operative cannot produce a valid PA1/PA6a certificate, the consequences range from improvement notices to prosecution.

In Ireland, the equivalent requirement is a Professional User Certificate under the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The training and registration process is broadly similar.

Buffer zones and LERAP

A Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides (LERAP) is required whenever you apply a plant protection product near a watercourse (river, stream, ditch, pond, lake, or canal). The purpose of a LERAP is to determine the buffer zone — the minimum distance between the spray area and the watercourse.

Default buffer zones are typically 5 metres from the top of the bank of any watercourse, but they may be wider depending on the product’s aquatic toxicity classification and the type of spray equipment used. Some products require a buffer zone of up to 20 metres.

You must carry out a LERAP before every spray application near water, and keep a record of it. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement under the Plant Protection Products Regulations.

Spray records

You must keep a record of every application of plant protection products. The record should include:

Date of application
Name of the product applied
MAPP number (UK) or PCS number (Ireland)
Area treated and crop/surface type
Application rate and total quantity used
Name and certificate number of the operator
Weather conditions (wind speed, temperature)
Any LERAP carried out and buffer zone applied

These records must be kept for a minimum of three years and be available for inspection.

Storage Requirements for Gardening Chemicals

Proper storage of chemicals is a legal requirement — and it is also common sense. Improperly stored chemicals degrade faster, pose a greater risk of spills, and can contaminate water sources.

General storage rules

Keep chemicals in their original containers with labels intact. Never decant into unmarked bottles, food containers, or unlabelled containers.
Store in a dedicated area — ideally a COSHH cabinet or a lockable metal or plastic chemical store. Purpose-built chemical storage units are available from suppliers like Slingsby, Armorgard, and HSS.
Keep incompatible chemicals separate. At minimum, store herbicides and pesticides away from fertilisers (particularly ammonium nitrate, which is an oxidiser). Keep fuels and oils well away from all other chemicals.
Store away from water courses. If your yard or depot is near a stream, ditch, or drain, ensure chemicals are stored with adequate secondary containment — a bund or drip tray capable of holding 110% of the volume of the largest container.
Secure against theft. Professional plant protection products must be stored securely. This is not just good practice — it is a condition of use for many professional-grade products. A locked chemical store or cabinet meets this requirement.
Keep chemicals away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Most products specify a storage temperature range on the SDS — typically 5-30 degrees Celsius.
Keep a chemical inventory. List every product in your store, including the quantity held, the date purchased, and the expiry date. This is useful for COSHH compliance and for responding to spills or fires.

Fuel storage

Petrol and diesel deserve special attention:

Store in approved fuel containers (metal or approved plastic, with secure caps). In the UK, you can store up to 30 litres of petrol at your premises without notifying the Petroleum Enforcement Authority; above that threshold, you need to comply with the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014.
Store fuel away from buildings, heat sources, and ignition points. A dedicated fuel store or cage is ideal.
Never store fuel in the cab of your vehicle.
Have a fire extinguisher (dry powder or foam) accessible near your fuel storage area.

Ammonium nitrate fertiliser

If you store ammonium nitrate fertiliser, be aware that it is classified as an oxidiser (H272). It must be stored away from fuels, oils, and any combustible materials. Large quantities (over 150 kg in the UK) bring additional storage requirements under the COMAH Regulations (Control of Major Accident Hazards). Most landscapers will not hold anywhere near this quantity, but it is worth knowing the threshold.

Environmental Considerations

Landscapers work in the environment, and many of the chemicals you use are classified as harmful to aquatic life. Environmental responsibility is not just a legal obligation — it is fundamental to the credibility of your business.

Water courses

Many gardening chemicals carry H400 (very toxic to aquatic life) or H411 (toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects). This means you must take active steps to prevent chemicals from entering watercourses:

Observe buffer zones (see LERAP section above)
Never mix chemicals near a watercourse, drain, or gully
Never wash out spray equipment and allow the washings to enter a drain or watercourse
Use a spray shield when treating near water features, ponds, or drainage channels
Choose products with lower aquatic toxicity when working near sensitive water environments

In the UK, polluting a watercourse is a criminal offence under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland). The Environment Agency (or SEPA in Scotland, NIEA in Northern Ireland) can prosecute, and fines can be substantial. In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency enforces similar provisions under the Water Pollution Acts 1977-1990.

Wildlife

Avoid spraying insecticides during flowering periods when pollinators are active
Do not spray near nesting birds or known habitats for protected species
Read the product label carefully — many products carry specific environmental conditions of use, such as “Do not apply when bees are actively foraging”
If you work on sites with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), additional restrictions may apply

Disposal

Never pour leftover chemicals down drains, into watercourses, or onto bare ground
Dilute leftover spray solution to the weakest effective concentration and apply it to an area that still needs treatment
Rinse spray equipment thoroughly and apply the rinsate to the treated area
Dispose of empty containers according to the SDS and local authority guidance. In the UK, the Voluntary Initiative Crop Protection Management Plan provides guidance on container disposal and the CHIPPER scheme recycles crop protection containers
For larger quantities of waste chemical, use a licensed waste carrier and obtain a waste transfer note

Common Mistakes Landscapers Make with COSHH

These are the mistakes we see most often in landscaping and grounds maintenance businesses:

1. Not having any COSHH assessments at all

This is the single most common issue. Many landscapers assume COSHH only applies to factories or laboratories. It applies to every business that uses hazardous substances — and that includes yours.

2. Forgetting about fuels and oils

Landscapers often complete COSHH assessments for their herbicides and pesticides but forget about petrol, diesel, two-stroke mix, and chainsaw bar oil. These are all hazardous substances. Petrol in particular carries a long list of H-codes, including H225 (highly flammable), H304 (may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways), and H350 (may cause cancer — due to benzene content). It needs a COSHH assessment.

3. Not holding valid spraying certificates

If you or your staff apply plant protection products without a valid PA1/PA6a certificate, you are breaking the law. This is a separate legal requirement from COSHH, and ignorance is not a defence.

4. Using one assessment for all chemicals

“Garden chemicals” is not a COSHH assessment. Each hazardous substance — or each group of substances with very similar hazards and controls — needs its own assessment. “Roundup ProActive 360 — glyphosate 360 g/L” is a COSHH assessment. “Weedkiller” is not.

5. Not having Safety Data Sheets

You cannot complete a COSHH assessment without the SDS. If you do not have them, get them today. Your suppliers are legally required to provide them.

6. Ignoring environmental obligations

Many landscaping chemicals carry aquatic toxicity H-codes. If you spray near watercourses without carrying out a LERAP, or if you wash out your sprayer and let the run-off enter a drain, you could face prosecution from the Environment Agency — which is an entirely separate enforcement action from any HSE investigation.

7. Not keeping spray records

Spray records are a legal requirement for all professional applications of plant protection products. An inspector can ask to see your records going back three years. If you do not have them, you are in breach of the regulations.

8. Storing chemicals improperly

Leaving herbicide containers in the back of your van, storing petrol next to fertiliser, or keeping chemicals in an unlocked shed on a client’s site are all problems. Proper storage means a locked, ventilated chemical store with incompatible products separated and secondary containment in place.

9. Relying on PPE alone

PPE is the last line of defence, not the first. If your only control measure for every chemical is “wear gloves,” your COSHH assessment is inadequate. You need to work through the full hierarchy — elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls — before relying on PPE.

10. Never reviewing assessments

COSHH assessments are living documents. Review them at least once a year, or whenever you change products, change application methods, take on a new type of site, or have an incident. An assessment from three years ago for a product you no longer stock is worthless.

For more on how COSHH assessments fit alongside your other health and safety documentation, see our landscaping risk assessment guide.

Want to see how we do COSHH assessments? View the Landscaping Kit or download a free sample.

Summary

A COSHH assessment for gardening chemicals is not optional — it is a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations 2002 (UK) and the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 (Ireland). Every chemical you use in your landscaping business that carries a hazard pictogram needs a documented assessment. That includes herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilisers, fuels, oils, and wood treatments.

Here is what you need to do:

List every chemical you use that has a hazard warning on the label — and do not forget fuels and oils.
Get the Safety Data Sheet for each one from your supplier or the manufacturer’s website.
Read Section 2 (hazard identification), Section 7 (handling and storage), and Section 8 (exposure controls/PPE) of each SDS.
Complete a COSHH assessment for each product — recording the hazards, H-codes, who is at risk, your control measures, emergency procedures, and a review date.
Put the controls in place — proper PPE, low-drift nozzles, safe storage, clear labelling, staff training, and spray records.
Hold valid spraying certificates (PA1/PA6a in the UK; Professional User Certificate in Ireland) for anyone applying plant protection products.
Carry out LERAPs when spraying near watercourses, and observe buffer zones.
Store chemicals properly — locked, ventilated, with incompatible products separated and secondary containment in place.
Keep spray records for at least three years.
Review your assessments at least once a year, or whenever anything changes.

It takes time to set up, but once it is done, maintaining it is straightforward. And the benefits go beyond legal compliance — you protect your own health, your staff’s health, the environment, and the professional reputation of your business.

If you are looking for a comparison with another industry, our guide to COSHH assessments for cleaning chemicals follows the same structure for a different set of products — it may be useful if your business covers both landscaping and cleaning work.