COSHH means Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health.

Do I need this? email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk

Yes. If you have any substances in use that fall under the regulations. Substances that are covered by COSHH can be as simple as bleach.

How can I tell if a substance is hazardous to health?

As it is a legal requirement for all hazardous substances to be labelled, you can check out the products your organisation uses by looking for hazardous symbols.

Hazardous substances come in many forms, such as:                    

Health issues of hazardous substances

There are many health issues related to hazardous substances. All sorts of substances can be inhaled damaging the lungs and maybe affect other parts of the body. Swallowing Hazardous substances is very easily done from transference from hands especially when eating. Absorbing Hazardous chemicals can happen by spilling chemicals onto skin or touching the chemicals. wearing dirty overalls contaminated with oils or grease, elements of those contaminates will be absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream the contamination can spread right through the body. 

Hazardous substances can effect many parts of the body. For example, skin can:

Commone sense

As an employer or an employee, there are simple procedures you canfollow that will assist in preventing injuries caused as a result of hazardous substances.

When your employees are dealing with Hazardous Substances, make sure of the following:

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended)

How do I comply with the legal requirements of using COSHH products?

There are a number things that must be carried out in order to comply with COSHH regulations, these are:

1. All products must be kept in a secure lockable store, this can be from a small cupboard to a large room or storage area, depending on the type and quanitiy being stored.

2. Any staff  handling and/or using hazardous substances must receive training. If there are a large number of COSHH regulated products used, then it is advisable that a least one member of staff attends a minimum of a COSHH awareness course.

3. All hazardous substances must be accompanied by Material Safety Data Shetet (MSDS). It is a legal requirement that suppliers provide a copy of a MSDS for each product.

4. Specific COSHH risk assessments must be carried out for each product and a copy kept on file with a copy of the MSDS attached.

N.B The information on each material safety data sheets can be used when carrying out your COSHH risk assessments. 

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) - Further information

Each MSDS has 16 sections. The headers for each section are listed below and all the topics are covered in detail. The MSDS information gives details on the correct management and handling of the product.

To find the relevant MSDS for your products go online and type in the product name followed by MSDS, if this does not give you the correct MSDS contact your supplier they have a legal responsibility to give you a copy.

Hazardous symbols

Sample of a symbol found on bleach:

         HARMFUL