COSHH Assessments

Introduction

Using chemicals, or other hazardous substances, at work can put the health of employees at risk; the law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended).

Failure to comply adequately with these regulations may mean employees become ill, with effects ranging from mild eye irritation to chronic lung disease and, on occasion, death. This may result in a loss of productivity and potentially expose the organisation to enforcement action, including prosecution, and the prospect of civil claims from employees.

AEC can undertake a detailed Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessment based on the HSE's recommended eight-step approach and in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

• Step 1 Assess the risk
• Step 2 Decide what precautions are needed
• Step 3 Prevent or adequately control exposure
• Step 4 Ensure that the control measures are used and maintained
• Step 5 Monitor the exposure
• Step 6 Carry out appropriate health surveillance
• Step 7 Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies
• Step 8 Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) applies to a wide range of substances, preparations and mixtures of more than two substances, with the potential to cause harm if inhaled, ingested or come into contact with, or absorbed through, the skin. These may include individual chemical substances, or preparations, such as paint, metal, cleaning materials etc. Substances hazardous to health can occur in many forms: solids, liquids, vapours, gases, dusts, fibres, fumes, mist and smoke.

Regulations

Legal requirements regarding the control of hazardous substances within the workplace primarily fall under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended). The regulations are complex and cover a number of areas, the key regulation states:

Regulation 6 (1): "An employer shall not carry out any work, which is liable to expose any employees to any substance hazardous to health, unless he has made a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk created by that work to the health of those employees and of the steps that need to be taken to meet the requirements of these Regulations."

Case Study

A large woodworking workshop recently requested a full COSHH assessment.

During the site visit AEC reviewed the hazardous substances present; an assessment of working methods and control measures was carried out, along with an element of exposure monitoring, to fully assess the potential risks of a number of substances.

The assessment found that health surveillance was not required and the company's procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies were satisfactory.

Following the assessment a number of employees reported their concerns were removed, and the employer was reassured that employees were not placed at any undue risk.

For an independent review and further information, call our commercial team on 0161 872 7111.