COSHH - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
What are considered Hazardous Substances under COSHH?
Hazardous substances include:
- Substances used directly in a work activity e.g. paint, cleaning agents
- Substances genersted during a work activity e.g. fumes from welding,
dust from grinding
- Biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms
COSHH applies to virtually all substances hazardous to health except:
- Asbestos and lead which have their own regulations
- Substances which are hazardous only because they are: radioactive;
at high pressure; at extreme temperatures; or have explosive or
flammable properties (other regulations apply to these risks)
- Biological agents that are outside the employer's control e.g. catching
an infection from a work colleague
What COSHH requires?
The following 8 steps summarise COSHH compliance:
- Assess the risks to health arising from hazardous substances used
in or created by the work in hand
- Decide what precautions are needed
- Prevent or adequately control exposure. Prevention is preferable to
control
- Ensure that control measures are used and maintained properly and
that safety procedures are followed
- Monitor the exposure to the hazardous substances, if necessary
- Carry out appropriate health surveillance where the assessment has
shown that it is necessary or where COSHH sets specific requirements
- Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and
emergencies involving the hazardous substances identified in step 1
- Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised
Labeling
For the vast majority of commercial chemicals, the presence (or not) of a warning label will indicate whether COSHH is relevant. For example, there is no warning label on ordinary household washing-up liquid, so if it is used at work there is no need to worry about COSHH; but there is a warning label on bleach, and so COSHH does apply to its use in the workplace.
FURTHER READING
