What is COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The term itself clarifies that it talks about the hazardous materials. There is an old regulation which is called COSHH regulation about providing a safe work place for people who are having exposure to dangerous or hazardous substances. This is fact that exposure to hazardous substances at work affects the health of thousands of people every year.
Some of such examples can be lung disease due to dusty conditions, skin irritation, dermatitis or skin cancer (e.g. frequent contact with oils, contact with corrosive liquids), occupational asthma (e.g. sensitization to isocyanates in paints or adhesives), toxic fumes and lungs cancer etc.
COSHH regulation & HSE Profession
Any hse engineer or professional must know and understand the requirements of COSHH regulation. This regulation provides a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances. The legislative document puts responsibility on employers to ensure that certain control measures are taken in order to minimize or eliminate the risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
In addition the COSHH 2002 regulation mentions the prohibitions with respect to many substances as well that can not be used without formal approvals from regulatory authorities etc.
The substances may be used directly in the workplace (eg cleaning chemicals) or may arise from the work (e.g. dusts, fumes and waste products).
COSHH lays down a sensible step-by-step approach to the necessary precautions.
The potential for identifiable cost benefits (e.g. tighter control over the use and storage of materials), improved morale and industrial relations have been widely realised.
COSHH applies to virtually all substances hazardous to health. Exceptions include asbestos and lead (which have their own regulations) and substances that are hazardous only because they are radioactive, asphyxiants, at high pressure/temperature or have explosive/flammable properties.
Definitions
- Hazard – is the potential to cause harm
- Risk – is the likelihood that it will harm you in the actual circumstances of use
The risk will depend on a number of factors, such as the hazard presented by the substance, how it is used, how exposure is controlled, the degree and extent of exposure etc.
COSHH requires:
- Assessment of the risks
- Deciding what precautions are needed
- Prevention or control of the risks
- Ensuring that control measures are used and maintained
- Monitoring exposure and health surveillance, where necessary
- Informing, instructing and training employees about the risks and precautions needed.
COSHH Risk Assessment
Assessment is a step-by-step approach i.e. Identify the hazards, Evaluate the risks to people and for significant risks, decide on the action needed to remove or reduce them to insignificant levels.
Assessment is the responsibility of the employer. Persons preparing the assessment will need to have access to, and understand, COSHH, related legislation, codes of practice and published guidance, be competent to carry through the work of assessment consult widely within the workforce and inform them of results accordingly and consider peripatetic workers (who work for you on other premises).
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