Which COSHH principle requires the route of exposure to be considered?

• A. Consider the route of exposure.
• B. Minimise emission, release and spread - prepare and administer drugs in chosen designated areas.
• C. Review the effectiveness of controls - accident/incident reporting.
• D. New measures, new risks.

Answer: (A)

Considering the route of exposure is essential in COSHH because it tells you how a hazardous substance can enter the body and what controls will be most effective. The route—whether inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion—drives the choice of protective measures. If inhalation is the main risk, you focus on engineering controls like local exhaust ventilation and enclosure of processes. If skin exposure is the concern, you emphasize protective clothing and gloves. If ingestion or hand-to-mouth transfer is possible, good hygiene practices, restrictive eating in work areas, and thorough handwashing become crucial. By prioritizing the route of exposure, the risk assessment can tailor controls to the most relevant pathway, making protection practical and targeted. Other COSHH principles—reducing emission and spread, reviewing how well controls work, and updating measures when new risks arise—are important, but they don’t directly require tailoring controls to the exposure route in the same way.