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The health of thousands of individuals continues to be affected by exposure to hazardous substances, carcinogens and chemicals in the workplace.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) guidelines were established by the government to promote a healthy working environment for employees by reducing exposure to hazardous substances.
These regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who endeavour to monitor UK businesses to ensure that they comply with CoSHH...
•Do the CoSHH Regulations Apply To Me?
? The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002 was introduced to ensure that businesses protect their employees from substances that are hazardous to health. Chemicals or hazardous substances can damage people's lives and using them in the workplace puts the health of workers' at risk. As an employer you have a duty of care to your employees and fellow workers even if you run a small company or are self employed.
CoSHH applies to virtually all UK workplaces from...
•CoSHH Law and the Use of Cytotoxic Drugs
This article focuses on the hazards associated with cytotoxic drugs and looks at the precautions to take when handling them. It will be of particular interest to those working in areas such as hospitals, oncology units, hospices and care homes etc.
Cytotoxic drugs are extensively used in the treatment of cancer. They have the ability to prevent the growth of tumours by interfering with cell division. They don't however, only affect tumour cells, but can also damage normal cells. As a result,...
•Who is Responsible for Completing a CoSHH Risk Assessment?
? CoSHH law requires that employers control hazardous substances in the workplace which can cause harm to health.
Advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that hazards and their risks to health are identified.
A CoSHH risk assessment looks for hazards and risks created by substances in the workplace.
The HSE state that there are no particular qualifications required in order to complete a CoSHH risk assessment but the person must be competent.
A competent person, in this...
•The Emergency Services and CoSHH Law
Workers' health is compromised if they are exposed to chemicals and other substances at their place of work. They are susceptible to asthma, dermatitis and cancer.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) law states that employers must have controls in place to limit exposure to substances which may harm health.
So what about those employees whose main role involves emergency working, for example, paramedics, crime scene investigators, fire-fighters etc? Workers in these...
•Who is Qualified to do a CoSHH Risk Assessment?
? It is CoSHH law for employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. HSE guidelines specify the identification of hazards in the workplace and the need to assess these risks.
A CoSHH risk assessment concentrates on the hazards and risks created from substances in your workplace. It is an important step to be taken to protect your workers and your business. It will also keep your business within CoSHH legislation.
HSE guidelines stipulate that the only requisite for carrying out...
•Veterinary Medicine and CoSHH
This article examines what people need to know with regard to CoSHH if they use veterinary medicines as part of their job.
Veterinary medicines such like antibiotics, wormers, vaccines and so on.
In order to comply with CoSHH regulations it is vital that you prevent or adequately control risks to health arising from the use of veterinary medicines at work. Measures that need to be taken include:
Carry out a CoSHH risk assessment and find out what hazardous effects the medicine may have, if...
•A Compliant CoSHH Risk Assessment in 5 Steps
As an employer, it is a legal obligation to ensure that the health of your workers is protected and a CoSHH risk assessment will do this as far as 'reasonably practicable'.
A CoSHH risk assessment requires a thorough examination of what, in your business, can cause harm to people and allows you to ascertain whether more precautions need to be taken to prevent harm. It is a legal requirement that you assess the risks in your place of work and that you take reasonable measures to control the...
•CoSHH within the Field of Education
Schools and colleges contain a number of hazardous substances which present risks to staff and pupils. As such, control measures should be put in place. CoSHH regulations stipulate that employers control substances that can harm workers' and students health.
An inventory must be completed initially, which identifies all hazardous substances used and material safety data sheets should be obtained for each substance (safety data sheets should be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier to...
•What You Should Know about CoSHH and BBVs
This article is of particular reference to those working in or around industries where exposure to blood or other body fluids may occur.
BBVs are viruses that are carried in a person's blood and may cause severe disease in some people but not in others. The virus can spread to another person regardless as to whether the carrier is ill or not.
BBVs of main concern are hepatitis B,C and D (diseases of the liver) and HIV which causes AIDS (affects the body's immune system). Blood is not the...
•Are You Maintaining Your CoSHH Data Online? If Not, Why Not?
Are You Maintaining Your CoSHH Data Online? If Not, Why Not? CoSHH law stipulates that employers undertake a task based CoSHH risk assessment on each substance they use.
In order to be CoSHH compliant you must have a complete inventory of the substances used in your business. This includes everything from paints and detergents to hand lotions and air fresheners. You must also have an up to date Safety Data Sheet for each substance you use. You should also have a library of CoSHH risk...
•CoSHH, Dermatitis and the Dental Industry
The occurrence of the skin disease dermatitis is especially prevalent in the dental industry. Dentists and dental nurses are more exposed to the risks of work related dermatitis in comparison with other industries.
In the UK, there are an estimated 8,400 new cases of work related dermatitis diagnosed each year and the dental industry accounts for a higher than average number of these.
The skin condition dermatitis occurs as a result of using outside agents which make the skin inflamed....
•NHS Trust Convicted under CoSHH Law following Patient Fatality
Following a breach of CoSHH Legislation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted The Royal United Hospital, Bath, NHS Trust. A fine of £80,000 was implemented after the Trust failed to maintain a hot and cold water system which concluded in the death of a patient from legionnaire's disease.
Legionnaire's disease is a type of pneumonia which has a high morbidity and mortality rate. The bacterium is inhaled via small droplets of water suspended in the air. The bacterium is more likely...
•Is My Business CoSHH Compliant?
? Is your workplace compliant with CoSHH Regulations? CoSHH law requires that employers are responsible for protecting the health of its workers by controlling substances that are hazardous to health.
As an employer it is your duty to follow certain procedures to ensure that your workers are not exposed to hazardous substances or at least their exposure to such substances is controlled.
A substance hazardous to health includes chemicals, fumes, dusts and gases. If the product packaging...
•CoSHH and Silica in the Construction Industry
Many commonly used products in the construction industry contain silica. Examples include stone, tiles, brick and concrete.
Silica itself is not hazardous but silica dust, otherwise known as Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), can cause a number of health problems for workers who are exposed to it. The term 'respirable' means that dust particles are so small that they can easily be ingested into the lungs.
Activities which can result in high exposure to silica dust include stone masonry,...
•What is CoSHH and Who Must Comply?
? Every year, thousands of employees become ill as a result of exposure to hazardous substances. They can develop a variety of diseases from cancer to asthma and dermatitis.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure effective measures are in place to control exposure and protect the health of your workers. This responsibility is a legal requisite held in place by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002.
CoSHH has an 8 step procedure to follow in order...
•CoSHH Regulations when using Solvents
Solvents are widely used in a variety of industries including construction, woodworking and painting and decorating.
Solvents are chemical substances. They come in the form of varnishes, paints, adhesives and stains. The most common form of solvent use in the construction industry for example, is white spirit (in paints and cleaning products) and xylene (in adhesives and pesticides).
The use of solvents in any industry exposes workers to serious health hazards. Safe working practise is...
•What Factors Determine if You are a Competent Person to Carry Out your CoSHH Risk Assessment?
? HSE guidelines state that the only qualification required to undertake a CoSHH risk assessment, is that the person involved should be 'competent'.
In a nutshell, this means that the chosen assessor must have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to do the job properly. The assessor should be able to analyse any risks in relation to work activities that involve hazardous substances.
Certain tasks can expose people to hazardous substances and the assessor should be aware of this....
•CoSHH - The use of Pesticides in the Agricultural Industry
There are a number hazardous products used in the agricultural industry which can be damaging to employees health.
Such substances include:
Dusts from plants, animals and compost materials
Pesticides and feed additives
Silage making products
Fertilisers
Animal diseases
Vehicle exhaust fumes.
Pesticides are a particular hazard to human health and will be examined more closely in this article. In contrast with industrial chemicals, pesticides are solely developed to act on living...
•CoSHH and the Food Industry
The food industry includes many business types such as food producers, caterers, manufacturers, processors and distributors. It is one of largest business areas in the United Kingdom. This article will focus on the catering sector which employs more than 1.2 million people and includes restaurants, pubs, hotels and take-aways.
A huge proportion of the public come into contact with food businesses usually while going shopping, eating out or staying at hotels. As such, employees have a...
•A CoSHH Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
A CoSHH Guide to Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Thousands of people in the UK die each year from lung disease or get asthma as a result of inhaling airborne contaminants at work. If your work place produces dust, mist, fumes, gas or vapours then your health may be at risk. Perhaps you work in a bakery, use spray paints or do welding, then you are pre disposed to certain health hazards.
Such types of exposure are heavily represented in CoSHH legislation which sets out exposure limits,...
•CoSHH - Baking Industry
One industry which has the highest rate of occupational asthma is the baking industry. Each year, 90 new cases per 100,000 workers are diagnosed.
Substances used in baking which are hazardous to health include flour dust, improver dusts containing enzymes and flavour enhancers. Common ingredients used in flour and enzymes containing certain additives are the second most common cause of occupational asthma. Once a worker has become sensitised to flour dust exposure they are more vulnerable to...
•CoSHH Legislation in the Beauty Industry
There has been a huge rise in the number of beauty salons and nail bars over the last ten years, thanks in particular to the popularity of acrylic nails.
It is vital that safe working procedures are enforced so that risks to employees and customers health are reduced. CoSHH regulations should be strictly enforced and risk assessments carried out on all chemicals.
Some ingredients in beauty and cleaning products such as solvents in nail polish removers can irritate the skin and lead to...
•CoSHH - Employee Information, Instruction and Training
A crucial part of the CoSHH management process is the supply of information, instruction and training to staff. This includes cleaning and maintenance staff. If employees are not kept fully informed then any requirements stemming from an assessment are not going to be fully effective.
A sufficiently informed and well trained staff will be more capable of carrying out a CoSHH action on its own initiative. This relieves some of the work load from management and supervisors.
There are certain...
•CoSHH Risk Assessments - An Employers Guide
A CoSHH risk assessment aims to protect the health and safety of employees. It is there to reduce the possibility of workers being adversely affected during chemical usage. CoSHH is a legal requirement.
The following is a checklist to identify if a hazard exists in your place of work:
- Are hazardous chemical substances used in the work place? Such hazardous substances could include those classified as toxic, corrosive, irritant etc
- Are Safety Data Sheets accessible for each hazardous...
•CoSHH, Hairdressing and Dermatitis
Some substances that are frequently used in hairdressers can expose employees to occupational dermatitis. This reaction could be immediate or even due to sensitisation over an extended period of time.
Carrying out a COSHH assessment can help an employer reduce the risks to the health of their staff and customers who may come into contact with such products.
An employer has a legal duty to monitor the health of staff to prevent diseases such as dermatitis and asthma. This can be done by...
•Woodworking - A Task Based CoSHH Risk Assessment
It is essential for employers to undertake task based CoSHH risk assessments for each work activity that exposes employees to dangerous substances and chemicals which place their health at risk.
CoSHH legislation is particularly relevant to the woodworking industry including those employed as joiners and cabinetmakers etc. These employees however, are likely to perform a number of tasks outside these traditional roles. Assessment will not reflect real life if strict demarcation of job content...
•A Task Based CoSHH Risk Assessment - Cleaning Company
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people's health at risk. CoSHH law requires employers to control exposure to prevent ill health.
An employer should identify the various tasks within the workplace and then conduct a risk assessment for each task.
This article will look at an office cleaning company and will highlight some of the dangers associated with using chemicals and the risks associated to employees and the importance of doing task based risk assessments....
•What is a CoSHH Risk Assessment?
? It is a legal responsibility for employers to undertake CoSHH risk assessments. There is a structured pattern to the assessment which analyses what can go wrong in the workplace. A set of controls are needed to minimise danger to workers health as hazardous substances can cause various problems.
It is essential that employers undertake CoSHH risk assessments. Employers should examine all work based activities which could affect the health of their employees. This is a legal necessity....
•CoSHH Legislation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Eye and Face Protection
CoSHH Legislation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Eye and Face Protection Employers have a duty to provide the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work in line with CoSHH procedures.
PPE is defined according to HSE Regulations as 'all equipment which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to health or safety' for example, eye protection, gloves, safety helmets, high visibility clothing and safety footwear....
•CoSHH Procedures in Case of Emergency
There are a large number of chemicals and substances which can damage the health of people in the workplace. These hazardous substances are defined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (CoSHH) 2002, and this covers the majority of materials capable of causing ill health in a work situation.
The CoSHH Regulations (COSHH) lay down the essential requirements and a step-by-step approach for the control of hazardous substances and for protecting people exposed to them in...
•CoSHH Advice - Using Cleaning Products in a Safe Manner
When working with cleaning products on a daily basis, we have have a tendency to forget just how hazardous these products can be. It is important to remember that when using chemicals at home or at work, that they are used in a safe manner, because if not accidents can easily happen.
Most products used for cleaning are labelled "corrosive". A corrosive substance is one that will destroy or damage the texture or substance of a body, especially human flesh. If corrosive substances are inhaled...
•How to Determine If and When your CoSHH Risk Assessment needs to be Reviewed
When running a business, at times it may be easy to forget just how important it is to review your CoSHH risk assessment, that is until it's too late. It is crucial that your CoSHH risk assessment is reviewed regularly. This then makes sure that any small changes that occur over time do not go unnoticed leaving the assessment as invalid and no longer suitable.
It should also be reviewed immediately if there is a reason to assume that the earlier CoSHH assessment is no longer valid, for...
•CoSHH Risk Assessment - How to Determine Who Will Carry it Out?
? When it has been determined that hazardous substances are present in your workplace, the first step to take in carrying out a CoSHH risk assessment is to decide who is going to carry out the assessment. Employers have a legal responsibility to comply with CoSHH Regulations and to control hazardous substances at work so as not to detriment the health of their employees.
The smaller your business is, and the fewer risks there are, the less likely it is that many people will need to be closely...
•The Essential Structure of the CoSHH Assessment
If there are hazardous substances present in your workplace, then it is imperative as an employer that you protect the health of your workers and undertake a CoSHH Assessment.
There is an essential structure to a CoSHH assessment and each stage of the assessment should be completed before moving onto the next.
This article will examine the framework, step by step.
The first stage of the process is to gather information about the substances, the work and the working practices.
First, decide...
•CoSHH - Understanding Dangerous Substances Present in your Workplace.
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work could be putting employees' health in danger and causing illnesses such as asthma, dermatitis or cancer.
CoSHH regulations stipulate that employers control substances that can cause potential harm to employees health. One of the stages in the CoSHH risk assessment framework is to identify what hazardous substances might be present in the workplace.
CoSHH substances can come in three possible forms - solids, liquids and gases and vapours....
•CoSHH - The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002 addresses a large number of substances and preparations which can cause potential harm if they are breathed in, ingested or absorbed through the skin.
These encompass individual substances or preparations such as paints, metals, cleaning materials, pesticides and insecticides.
They also include chemicals which are deemed toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant, sensitising, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction....
•CoSHH - Rules Specific to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Head Protection in the Workplace
CoSHH - Rules Specific to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Head Protection in the Workplace Employers have basic duties concerning the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.
PPE is defined in HSE Regulations as 'all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to his health or safety', eg safety helmets, gloves, eye protection,...
•CoSHH Advice - Respiratory Sensitisers
Inhaling substances called respiratory sensitisers while at work can cause occupational asthma.
A respiratory sensitiser is a substance which when inhaled can bring on an irreversible allergic reaction in the respiratory system. Once this sensitisation reaction has taken place, further exposure to the substance, will produce symptoms.
Sensitisation does not usually take place right away but can happen after several months or even years of breathing in the sensitiser.
Substances responsible...
•Using CoSHH Control Methods to Limit Exposure to Hazardous Substances
The use of control methods should be brought into effect if risks have not been removed or reduced on completion of a CoSHH risk assessment.
Control measures are always a combination of equipment and ways of working to minimise exposure. Measures may include extra training, personal protective equipment, warning signage etc. In order to comply with CoSHH regulations, it is vital that control measures work and continue to do so.
When deciding how to control the hazards and risks which have...
•CoSHH Assessment - The Control of Substances which Cause Occupational Asthma
This article examines how chemicals that cause occupational asthma can be controlled and is sourced from the CoSHH Approved Code of Practice.
Occupational asthma is a condition characterised by variable air flow limitation which has been caused by the conditions stemming from the workplace. Occupational asthma may be caused by manufactured substances or naturally occurring materials.
All substances which cause occupational asthma are within the definition of substances hazardous to health...
•HSE CoSHH Guidance for Small Businesses and the Self Employed
The HSE have recently provided a new leaflet on their website called 'Working with Substances Hazardous to Health'. The guide has been produced to give CoSHH advice and is aimed at smaller businesses.
It is an easy to use guide which centres on dealing with hazardous chemicals at work, so that they do not cause ill health to employees. The guide was actually produced with input from small businesses including hairdressers and construction workers. The guide provides up to date advice with...
•Environmentally Friendly Products also require CoSHH Assessment
It can be assumed that using environmentally friendly products are the sound way to go in so far as protecting your workforce from hazardous chemicals.
However, it is not necessarily the case that products which are essentially safe for the environment are safe and non hazardous for human beings.
Regardless of a products' claim to be eco-friendly, it is still essential that they must have a CoSHH risk assessment. Natural, after all, does not equate to non-toxic.
Indeed, an example of a...
•CoSHH Management - How to Store Chemicals
It is crucial that chemical products are stored in compliance with CoSHH regulations as this article emphasizes. It looks at how workers health can be affected by inefficient procedures when using chemical products.
There are certain simple procedures which need to be adhered to in order to prevent an adverse reaction. For example, exposing your hands to water for long periods can lead to dermatitis. There are also certain cleaning products which can cause skin allergies and asthma. Some...
•Legal HSE CoSHH Compliance and CoSHH Assessment
Upon reading this article you will learn about a brief history of CoSHH, how it applies to you and how you can put in place the necessary actions to prevent your company or your professional image from becoming tarnished or otherwise. It will also give you insight into protection your employees!
CoSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health which is a regulation that applies to every business in the United Kingdom. There are businesses which believe that if they have less...
•An Informative Guide To CoSHH Assessment
CoSHH assessment is a step-by-step process by which you should determine and lower the repercussion that a hazardous substance could have on an employee or other people who may be affected.
I am writing this article based on two principles, one, I have worked as a CoSHH manager for tens of thousands of substances over many sites and two; I own a business which improves the process for the safe use of hazardous substances daily. I listen to companies, I listen to new issues and I develop...
•Implementing CoSHH Management - A Director's Diary (Part 4 of 4)
Implementing CoSHH Management - A Director's Diary (Part 4 of 4) In my previous CoSHH diary I talked about how I went about managing CoSHH as skillfully as I knew how. I found this included requesting information from suppliers and manufacturers about their chemicals and the implementation of CoSHH Management,and with adequate training of employees so they also understood basic risk assessments. My diary concludes this week with a Health and Safety Executive Inspector's audit and their...
•CoSHH Assessment for Work Place Health and Safety - Skin and Inhalation Exposure to Chemicals
In earlier days of health , safety and hygiene an assumption was made that inhalation exposure was the most common route for many toxic chemicals to gain access to the body's internal organs and systems.It was also recognised that the surface area of the gas exchange region of the lung was extremely large, much larger than the surface area of the skin. Furthermore, the skin was considered a relatively impermeable barrier preventing chemicals from gaining access to the body. Also the thought...
•CoSHH Assessment Diary - Week 3 of 4 - Producing HSE Compliant CoSHH Assessments
Last week in my CoSHH diary entry I discussed ideas which my business put into action to reduce the amount of health and safety work that would be required. This week I can now report on the method by which we conducted compliant CoSHH risk assessment, again using a common sense approach.
On Monday my line managers had been trained to CIEH (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) Level 2 in The Principles of Risk Assessment. This one day course was designed to give my managers the...
•Complying With the HSE CoSHH Regulations - A Director's Diary Week 1 of 4
Running a business and managing everyday aspects of Health and Safety is complex, sometimes counter-productive and can be a drain on financial resources. Is this true? Yes, I believe so, though we still have to do it nonetheless. Certain people may dislike this statement and suggest that in some way I may be ignorant towards the health and safety of my employee's. However, I believe a practical approach to CoSHH compliance can be achieved and is more appropriate towards that which the Health...
•CoSHH Assessment Diary - Week 2 of 4 - Dealing With a Fresh List of Chemicals
In my CoSHH diary last week I explained my reasons for wishing to comply with the HSE CoSHH regulations. This week I have looked at my initial findings through my investigation of the chemicals is my business is using and what the information of which we knew about them. My line managers delivered the information to my desk on Monday morning and we talked over our findings.
So what did I find out? Well I was shocked to find that of the fifty or so chemicals we had, we could only account for...
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