WHAT IS COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a set of regulations that originated in the United Kingdom and is designed to protect workers from the risks posed by hazardous substances in the workplace.
The COSHH regulations require employers to assess and control the risks associated with the use, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances. These substances can include chemicals, solvents, dust, fumes, gases, biological agents, and any other substances that may cause harm to human health.
Under COSHH, employers are required to:
- Identify and assess the potential hazards associated with hazardous substances in the workplace.
- Implement control measures to prevent or minimize exposure to these substances.
- Provide information, instruction, and training to employees regarding the risks and precautions associated with hazardous substances.
- Monitor the exposure levels of employees and carry out health surveillance where necessary.
- Maintain appropriate records of risk assessments, control measures, and exposure monitoring.
- Plan for emergencies and accidents involving hazardous substances.
COSHH regulations aim to protect workers by ensuring that appropriate control measures are in place to prevent or minimize exposure to hazardous substances, thereby reducing the risk of occupational illnesses and injuries. Employers need to comply with COSHH regulations to safeguard the health and well-being of their employees.
COSHH
- Why a presentation on COSHH?
- What is COSHH?
- What does it mean?
- COSHH Assessment
WHY?
Because ‘substances ‘harm people-currently more than 6,000 people die each year from diseases caused by the workplace (250 die each year from workplace accidents)
- Legal requirement
- There is a lack of full understanding of COSHH.
- The file ‘sits on the shelf
WHAT IS COSHH?
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
- Oils & greases
- Chemicals/additives
- Cement
- Thousands of others
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
- That all hazardous substances are supplied with a data sheet
- That a competent person reviews this sheet and assesses any task with the material, then works out control measures before it is used, not after an incident!
- That the people using the material know and use the control measures.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)
- All have 16 headings and are set out similarly
- Include all relevant information on PPE use, first aid measures, health exposure, and environmental spillage amongst others.
- On its own, it is not a COSHH assessment-it is a tool to help it be done.
COSHH ASSESSMENT
- The MSDS should be used when assessing the task being carried out.
- For example, a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment for the use of Concrete will involve or will include a risk assessment of using the concrete-not just putting the concrete Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in a file!
- A standard risk assessment form is appropriate for conducting a COSHH assessment
FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RISK ASSESSMENT
Underline the COSHH Regulations:
- Assessment of COSHH risks and the precautionary measures required.
- Introduction of appropriate measures to prevent or control risks.
- Ensuring that control measures are used
- Where mandatory or needed, monitoring the exposure of employees.
- Informing, instructing, and training employees on the risks and the precautions that need to be taken.
HOW DO I RECOGNISE A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE?
There’s more useful and clear information and details regarding the COSHH on labels than you might think.
CORROSIVE DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT EXPLOSIVE (VERY) TOXIC HARMFUL/IRRITANT OXIDISING HIGHLY OR EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE
All substances with one of these logos must have a Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) assessment. Material Safety Data Sheets-MSDS is not merely limited to these substances though!
WHY ISN’T IT USED?
- Data sheets don’t turn up with the material
- Diseases often don’t become apparent as soon as the substances are used
- The Data Sheets are all in a file on the shelf-these magically protect people from harm!
- It is seen as time-consuming
WHY SHOULD IT BE DONE?
To prevent:
- Dermatitis
- Liver/kidney/heart failure
- Cancer
- Lung disease
- Acid/alkali burns
- Loss of sight
- Blood poisoning, Etc.
SUMMARY
- Diseases don’t become noticeable until it’s too late.
- Prevent them in the first place by doing the assessment-not just having the material safety data sheet (MSDS).