The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) requires that risks arising from substances that are hazardous to health are prevented or controlled (where prevention isn't reasonably practicable).
If you're responsible for work that may expose people to harmful substances you will need to make sure you have carried out a COSHH assessment before work starts.
A COSHH assessment is like a
Once the COSHH assessment is completed, make sure you implement the control measures and communicate the assessment findings to the people at risk.
The first step is to find out what harmful substances are in your area of responsibility. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
There are some hazardous substances that are covered elsewhere. They are biological agents (Essex users only) and
Once you have identified your substance you need to find out how it's harmful to health. If it's a chemical, the safety data sheet and hazard label provide information on the hazards and the handling, storage and emergency measures needed. They are provided by the supplier and must be up to date. Industry information will help in gathering information about biological agents or natural products like flour and wood dust.
In the past, people wrongly assumed the safety data sheet was the COSHH assessment. This is incorrect. The COSHH assessment is a product of the substance’s hazard information, how you are exposed and your control measures to reduce the risk.
Safety data sheets and labels have pictograms, signal words, hazard statements (phrases that describe the nature of the hazard) and precautionary statements (phrases that describe recommended measures to prevent harm) which follow a standard international labelling system.
Substances that fall into categories need certain actions to control exposure.
Understanding how people are exposed to the substance and how it enters the body can inform you on the range of control measures needed to reduce exposure. Hazardous substances can enter the body by:
Once you know the routes of entry, consider the number and types of people who could be harmed through direct or indirect exposure. Direct exposure is when someone knowingly handles the substance or is aware that it's present as part of their work activity. Indirect exposure might happen when someone is exposed through an unrelated activity, such as cleaning, maintenance, responding to an emergency situation or working nearby and is unaware of its presence.
In both cases, the nature of exposure needs to be assessed by
establishing the likelihood and the frequency of exposure. Also, the levels
people are exposed to and for how long. Additional consideration must be made
for
Now you know the risk posed by the substances in your workplace and the nature of exposure, choose control measures to prevent or adequately control exposure.
When considering control measures, think about how you can reduce the likelihood of exposure and the harm and consequences if exposure occurs. Include control measures for emergency situations as well. It's recommended you consider control measures in order of priority and effectiveness.
You will also need to consider what else is required to make sure your control measures are maintained, inspected and replaced when they are damaged or expired. In some cases, you will need to arrange for monitoring to be carried out to ensure your control measures are working well.
Health surveillance involves ongoing health checks designed to detect ill-health effects from specific identified hazards. It is required when:
If you use or create substances that are respiratory or skin sensitisers or potential carcinogens, health surveillance will be required unless control measures are robust enough to prevent exposure. If you rely on personal protective equipment to control exposure, health surveillance will be required.
Your COSHH risk assessment should identify whether health surveillance is required. Find out more about the types of health surveillance required and the purpose of health surveillance.
If you need help with COSHH risk assessment you can contact the Health and Safety Advisory Service.
If you think you may need health surveillance for your hazardous substances email the Occupational Health Service ohquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.