Control Banding Tool | Exactus Labs

Control Banding — COSHH Essentials / GHS approach

This tool applies a hazard-based approach to select appropriate controls for chemical substances when quantitative exposure data is unavailable. Assign the hazard band (based on GHS classification or OEL range), quantity/use rate, and dustiness or volatility to determine the recommended control approach (CB1–CB5).

Hazard band — based on GHS classification or OEL range

Quantity — amount used or handled per task/shift

Dustiness (solids) or volatility (liquids)

Make selections above to determine the recommended control band.

This tool implements the Control Banding approach as described in UK HSE COSHH Essentials (HSG193) and adapted for the GHS (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling). Control banding is a qualitative tool to prioritise controls when quantitative data is unavailable — it does not replace a full quantitative exposure assessment where one is practicable. Band E substances are subject to specific regulatory requirements and may require specialist occupational hygiene advice regardless of control band result.

Control band definitions

Control bands define the type and intensity of controls required, based on the combined hazard, quantity, and dustiness/volatility of a substance. They are independent of specific substances — the same band applies to any substance meeting the criteria.

Control band descriptions and control measures

CB	Control type	Typical measures	Examples
CB1	General ventilation	Natural or mechanical general ventilation. Good housekeeping. Standard PPE (gloves, safety glasses).	Dilute cleaning products, low-volatility lubricants, many food-grade substances
CB2	Engineering controls — LEV	Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) at point of generation. Enclosed process preferred. Respiratory protection as back-up only.	Solvent-based paints, moderate-hazard dusts (wood dust), most laboratory chemicals
CB3	Contained process / enclosure	Enclosed or near-enclosed process. High-efficiency LEV. Respiratory protection (half-face, FFP3 or higher) as supplementary control. Monitoring required.	Isocyanates (limited quantities), fine silica, high-volatility solvents with low OEL
CB4	Specialist advice required	Substance requires specialist occupational hygiene assessment. Likely full enclosure with remote handling. Continuous monitoring. Stringent health surveillance.	Potent carcinogens, highly toxic materials (IDLH < 10× OEL), radiotoxic substances
CB5	Mandatory specific controls	Substance is subject to specific statutory controls under national regulations. Prescribed control measures apply. OEL compliance mandatory. Specialist assessment and health surveillance required by law.	Asbestos, crystalline silica (construction), lead, isocyanates (large quantities), vinyl chloride monomer

Hazard band (HB) criteria — GHS / OEL basis

HB	OEL range (vapours)	OEL range (dusts)	GHS classification triggers
A	≥ 500 ppm	≥ 10 mg/m³	No classification, or GHS08 Cat. 4 only
B	50–500 ppm	1–10 mg/m³	GHS07 (irritant), GHS08 Cat. 3–4 (narcotic), skin/eye irritant
C	1–50 ppm	0.1–1 mg/m³	GHS08 Cat. 1–2 (CMR), GHS sensitiser (skin/respiratory), GHS06 (acute tox. cat. 3)
D	< 1 ppm	< 0.1 mg/m³	GHS08 Cat. 1A (CMR), potent sensitiser, GHS06 acute tox. cat. 1–2
E	No safe threshold	No safe threshold	Mandatory specific control regulations apply — asbestos, silica (respirable), lead, isocyanates, vinyl chloride

References: UK HSE COSHH Essentials (HSG193); GESTIS Substance Database; ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards; ECETOC TRA (Targeted Risk Assessment); REACH Annex I. Control banding frameworks include: COSHH Essentials (UK HSE), EMKG (Germany BAUA), Stoffenmanager (Netherlands), ILO ICSC approach.