On-line COSHH courses have been developed and they are aimed at Facilities team members, Premises managers, Property staff, Caretakers, Cleaners, and anyone who works with substances that are hazardous to health. Course link for Corporate users: COSHH on TLC and for Schools: COSHH on Blackboard
Aims and objectives of the course:
- Understand why it is so important to control substances hazardous to health
- Know what substances might be hazardous and recognise who is at risk
- Be able to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous substances
- Understand how to achieve legal compliance
A question we often get asked in the health and safety team is, we have the safety data sheets for all our hazardous substances; do we still need to carry out COSHH risk assessments? The answer is yes, safety data sheets do not substitute for carrying out and recording a COSHH risk assessment. Gathering safety data sheets is only the first stage in the assessment process. These sheets will provide information on the hazardous properties of the substances you are using, any health effects associated with its use, how likely it is to get into the air or onto the skin, and what risk reduction measures you should use to control exposure to an acceptable level. However, it will not be specific to your workplace and cannot consider the environment you work in.
The latest Risk Assessment form for COSHH is available here: F08. A risk assessment needs to be completed for each cleaning and chemical product onsite and included in your COSHH folder. Use the safety data sheet and collaborate with your caretaker, or cleaners for example to complete these risk assessments.
Learn more:
- Further information can be found in Somerset Council’s Hazardous substances policy
- Risk Assessment form for COSHH: F08
- Course link (Corporate on TLC): COSHH Training TLC
- Course link (Schools on Blackboard): COSHH Training Blackboard
- Chemicals poster from the HSE
