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Business practice and regulation

COSHH

1) "COSHH" stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. These substances include chemicals, fumes, dusts and biological agents, and control of them is a legal requirement. Employers must control exposure to prevent ill-health in employees and others who may be exposed.

2) The effects of exposure range from minor skin irritations, to eye injuries, asthma, lung diseases, cancers and death. Employers may be liable to enforcement action, and may suffer loss of business or civil claims.

3) There are several steps which must be taken:

    Step 1:Assess the risks, - identify hazardous substances and the risks they present.

    Step 2:Decide what precautions are needed.

    Step 3:Prevent or control exposure.

    Step 4:Ensure that controls are used and maintained.

    Step 5:Monitor employee exposure (if necessary).

    Step 6:Carry out health surveillance (if necessary or required).

    Step 7:Inform and train employees.

4) The COSHH Regulations specify which substances must be controlled. Suppliers must provide a Safety Data sheet which specifies the hazards and suggested precautionary measures. This should be referred to when carrying out the assessment.

5) You must consider how the chemical is used, and by whom. How could they be exposed to harm: by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact?

6) Precautions should be put in place:

    a)Substituting a less harmful substance.

    b)Change the process, e.g. to eliminate the release of fume.

    c)Use a safer form, e.g. pellets instead of powder.

    d)Enclose the process.

    e)Provide specific or general ventilation.

    f)Provide gloves, masks or other protective measures (as a last resort).

Generally, if you can substitute a less harmful substance, you should do so. If not you should change the process and so on down the list.

7) It may be necessary to measure the concentration of certain hazardous substances in the air from time to time, to ensure that employees are not exposed to unacceptable levels of hazardous substances. These assessments will show whether control measures are working properly.

8) Health surveillance of individual employees is required where they are working with specific substances, such as benzene. Full details are provided in the COSHH Regulations 1999.

9) You must ensure that your employees understand the risks, use the control measures and report any concerns or faults.

Further information is available from the HSE Info line, 0541 545500, or HSE Books, P.O.Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, Tel. 01787 881165

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