Did you know all hazardous substances should be risk assessed using the COSHH Risk Assessment form?
If you are reviewing products and considering using a new substance in the workplace you will need to complete a COSHH risk assessment even if the new substance reduces risk. Use the product’s safety data sheet to help you complete the risk assessment and you will need a safe area to store the volume required. It’s easy to over order chemicals and make use of bulk discounts but consider the safe storage of these hazardous substances before committing.
When considering which product is best for the job; note the requirement of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required. Although PPE protects individuals using substances directly, it may not protect others around them; therefore you are encouraged to eliminate or substitute any substance which requires the use of PPE to protect colleagues.
Some substances are process generated, for example wood dust released from sawing wood. You should regard a substance as hazardous to health if it is hazardous in the form in which it occurs in the work activity. Find out if there are any health effects associated with working with the hazardous materials identified and look at how workers could be exposed, for example do you use a dry brush to sweep up dust? Use this information to evaluate risks to health and minimise exposure by taking sensible measures, such as using a vacuum cleaner instead of a brush or keeping lids on containers.
For more information about COSHH see our updated Hazardous Substances Guidance.
Reminder of responsibilities taken from our Hazardous Substances Policy:
Employees must:
- Have access to the names of the substances they work with or could be exposed to by work activities, and the risks created by such exposure
- Have access to any safety data sheets that apply to a named substance
- Have access to the main findings of relevant COSHH risk assessments
- Take all documented precautions to protect themselves and colleagues
- Read and adhere to information and training on how to use personal protective equipment
- Comply with relevant health surveillance if exposed to identified substances
- Follow all relevant emergency procedures
Managers must:
- Carry out a risk assessment to identify any potential workplace hazards and harmful substances that your staff are likely to encounter during their daily responsibilities, including products that they are using and by products that are generated through their work
- Identify potential methods of removing these substances from your workflow, or find a safer form of the product that can be used instead
- If the hazardous substance cannot be replaced, devise and implement a clear process for handling and disposing of the substance that minimises any potential risk of harmful exposure
- Develop workplace exposure limits and a method of working that ensures that as few people are potentially exposed to hazardous substances as possible
- Provide personal protective equipment to help safeguard staff members against accidental exposure when working with hazardous substances
- Ensure that you have suitable storage cabinets and facilities in place to safely contain any dangerous chemicals that need to be kept on site
- Utilise safety signs and site safety boards to warn employees and site visitors of the potential risks posed by hazardous substances, and to inform them of the proper procedure when working with these substances
- Keep COSHH management and spill control products on site to ensure that any accidental spills can be safely cleaned up and contained
