From first-degree burns to serious health issues like cancer can result from exposure to harmful substances. Thus, understanding the intricacies of safety measures is vital for overall well-being in the workplace. One of the major parts of safety measures is COSHH assessment. Now, what is a COSHH assessment, and why should we care about it? We have prepared this blog to explain these answers and help ensure 100% safety for your workplace.
Table of Contents
What is COSHH?
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations. This is a legal regulation established by the UK government. This health and safety regulation is for protecting workers exposed to hazardous substances. It aims to protect them from the health implications caused by working with hazardous materials or being exposed to them.
What is a COSHH Assessment?
The COSHH assessment is a type of risk assessment. This assessment identifies the risks of using or producing hazardous substances. It helps find the risk factors and take steps to control, mitigate, and avoid these risks.
Being exposed to hazardous materials can put the workers’ lives in danger. Thus, it is the legal responsibility of the employer to conduct COSHH assessments. According to the law, it is mandatory to conduct COSHH risk assessments and put safety measures in place.
What are COSHH Substances?
COSHH assessments are for the substances that are harmful to our health. Here is a list of substances that fall under COSHH regulations.
- Chemicals
- Products containing chemicals
- Fumes
- Dust
- Vapours
- Mists
- Nanotechnology
- Gases and asphyxiating gases
- Biological agents
- Germs that cause diseases
There are other highly hazardous substances that are not included in the list. These materials are very dangerous. That is why they need their own set of safety regulations. These are as follows:
- Lead
- Asbestos
- Radioactive substances
When is the COSHH Assessment Required?
When hazardous substances that can cause illness and diseases are used or produced in a workplace, COSHH assessment is a must. The employers should conduct the assessment before the work starts. It is vital to identify the risks and take effective measures before the workers get exposed.
People’s lives can be at risk if the assessment is not conducted. Also, legal actions will be taken against the responsible parties if an employee is hurt. So, it is mandatory to take care of all the risk factors before the work begins.
How to Conduct a COSHH Assessment?
Now that you know what is a COSHH assessment, let’s look into the assessment process. There are five major steps you have to follow in order to conduct a COSHH risk assessment. These steps are –
Step 1: Gathering Information About the Substances Used in the Workplace
To protect the employees from hazardous substances, you must first identify the harmful materials used. Not all hazardous products will have a sign on them. Thus, you have to walk around the workplace and search for hazardous substances.
After evaluating the workplace, check if the substances are on the EH40 Occupational Exposure Limits List. You can do that by checking the Material Safety Data Sheets and the industry HSE page. When you have listed the hazardous substances, make a list of the tasks where workers are likely to get exposed to them. Also, you should figure out how the employees are exposed and what effect they might have.
Step 2: Health Risk Evaluation
The next step is to identify the health risks. In this step, you have to consider a few things, such as:
- Will a substance cause harm?
- What is the potential of exposure?
- How often can exposure happen?
- What is the level and duration of exposure?
Along with these factors, you should also consider the likelihood of accidents. For example, spoilage or leaks. Everyday cleaning and maintenance are also important to consider, as they are also responsible for the exposure. When you are done with the list of exposures, you should also estimate the time when exposure will cause health risks.
Step 3: Designing the Control Measures for Reducing and Eliminating Risks
At this point of the assessment, you have gathered the information about the substances. Along with their impact on the human body and the people who are exposed. Now, it’s time to select the control measures. While considering the safety measures, you should prioritise the ones that pose the most serious threats.
When you are selecting the control measures, follow the hierarchy of control, which is
Elimination
Evaluate the whole situation. Then, carefully select the procedure to mitigate the exposure to hazardous materials completely.
Substitution
Replace the hazardous substances with those that are comparatively less hazardous. It may not be possible for all substances, but try to replace as many as you can.
Isolation
Use tools and instruments that enclose the working area. This will help in reducing exposure.
Engineering
Make changes that can help reduce the risks in the work area. For example, if there is toxic vapour, provide proper ventilation.
Administration
Take administrative steps. For example, warning signs should be put up, training should be provided, proper instruction should be given before the work starts, etc.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Where it is necessary, provide PPE. Also, make sure the workers are using it properly.
Step 4: Record-Keeping and Implementing Control Measures
If you have more than five employees, it is a legal requirement to record the assessment results and findings. However, if there are fewer than five employees, recording is not required. You must mention the hazards, the steps you took, and why you took them in the records.
After you have a complete plan for risk control, it’s time to implement them. Pay attention to each procedure and make sure you have successfully implemented them.
Step 5: Monitoring and Reviewing Assessment
Monitoring is a vital part of ensuring safety. You should monitor the control measures regularly. Check whether they are doing the job. This will help you detect errors and enable you to take corrective actions.
It is also important to review the assessment. Especially if there is any change in the workplace or the use of the substances, you should review the assessment once a year. However, if the workplace is a high-risk zone, you should review the assessment more frequently.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training & Safety
Arm yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself from life-threatening substances.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training & Safety
Arm yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself from life-threatening substances.
Who is Responsible for Carrying Out a COSHH Assessment?
The employer is responsible for conducting COSHH assessments. Ensuring health and safety in the workplace is the duty of the employer. So, they must learn what is a COSHH assessment and how to conduct it. After the assessment, they have to take the essential steps to prevent or minimise risks. If they are capable enough, they can do it themselves, or they can choose a competent professional for the job.
However, expert input is required if the workplace is large and deals with massive amounts of harmful substances. A specialist can provide a more thorough assessment of the premises. They can provide valuable insights on designing and implementing the control measures.
What are the Meanings of the COSHH Symbols?
Putting up proper signage is an important part of COSHH. It helps people identify the hazards and the risks associated with them. There are nine main signs for COSHH. The signs and their explanations are as follows –
1. Explosive
This sign of an explosive is an exploding bomb. This explains that these substances may explode in certain conditions. This substance may not be explosive in nature. But under certain conditions, it can explode.
2. Flammable
The sign consisting of rising flames stands for flammable substances. Highly flammable materials contain this symbol. If they come in contact with an ignition source, they will catch fire immediately. It is also used for substances that catch fire when they come into contact with water.
3. Oxidising
The oxidising sign is a circle with rising flames. The chemicals or materials that cause a heat-realising reaction when they come in contact with other substances have this symbol.
4. Toxicity
The symbol of toxicity is two crossbones with a skull in the middle. You will find this symbol on the packaging of toxic substances.
These substances can be lethal if they come in contact with skin, swallowed, or inhaled.
5. Corrosive
Two test tubes, one pouring liquid on human hands and the other pouring on a rectangular bar. In the symbol, you will see both the human and the bar are reacting to the liquid. This means that these substances will react to both human skin and other materials. Usually, different types of cleaning products are corrosive substances.
6. Hazardous to Environment
There are some substances that are harmful to the environment. They can pose immediate or future threats to the environment. The symbol used to describe these substances is a dead tree and a dying fish.
7. Health Hazards
The health hazard symbol is a large exclamation mark. If any substances have this symbol, it means they must be handled with caution.
These substances can cause skin irritations, allergies, dizziness, and other health issues.
8. Serious Health Hazards
The symbol with the human figure and white lines inside it is the symbol of serious health hazards.
The substances that carry this sign can cause serious long-term health problems. For example, cancer, organ damage, genetic defects, respiratory diseases, etc.
9. Gas Under Pressure
A container with the picture of a gas cylinder means the container holds pressurised gas.
The pressurised gas can explode when it comes in contact with heat or other elements. That’s why a container with this sign must be handled carefully.
Why is COSHH Assessment Important?
For workplaces where harmful substances are used, COSHH assessment is a must. There are a handful of reasons why this assessment is important. The reasons are explained below.
1. Identify Hidden Risks
There may be substances that may miss your radar. You might not consider these materials harmful, but the reality may differ. An assessment will help you identify hidden risks and take steps accordingly.
2. Create Awareness
Through a COSHH risk assessment, you will understand the chemicals’ impact. Both short and long-term. As a result, the employers and employees will follow the guidelines with the utmost seriousness.
3. Identify Replaceable Substances
When a COSHH assessment is conducted, there will be an evaluation of the current substances. It will allow you to understand if the substances can be replaced with less harmful ones.
4. Avoid Errors or Mismanagement
COSHH assessment plays a significant role in checking for adequate safety measures. It helps in identifying any fault or mismanagement. For example, if the PPEs are in working condition.
5. Prevent Legal Issues
Along with the health implications, the COSHH assessment will also protect you from legal issues as well. As COSHH is a legal requirement, you must conduct an assessment and act accordingly. If you don’t, you will have to pay penalties for that.
6. Identify Hazardous Interactions
There are some substances that may not be dangerous. However, they can become harmful when they come in contact with other specific materials. Through a COSHH assessment, you can identify these substances. Therefore, you can keep them away from those specific materials.
7. Provide Overall Protection
From the use to transportation and storage, COSHH covers every aspect. Thus, a COSHH assessment allows you to take essential initiatives at every stage. Which is essential for ensuring total protection.
What is Included in COSHH Assessments?
There are some important aspects you need to consider while you conduct an assessment. Here is a list of what you should include.
- Information about hazardous substances and how they might impact the health of the workers
- Data about the exposure time the substances will require to cause health implications. Also, the level of danger.
- Information about the proper control measures that will be enough to control or eliminate the risk factors.
- Process of safely handling, storing, and disposing of harmful products
- Measures to be taken in case of an accident. For example, spoilage.
- Surveillance procedures for those who are exposed
What are the Responsibilities of the Employers and Employees Regarding COSHH?
There are some sets of responsibilities for both employers and employees. If each party carries out their part of the job, it will play a significant role in ensuring protection from hazardous substances.
The Employer’s Responsibilities
The role of employers includes:
- Employers should try to prevent and control exposure to hazardous substances. For example, PPE should be provided to workers who come in contact with the substances.
- They must ensure that proper control measures are taken and up-to-date.
- Educating, instructing, and training the employees on working with hazardous substances.
- If any employee gets exposed to the substances, the employer must keep them under observation and take measures if any problem is detected.
- Keeping the use of hazardous substances within the Workplace Exposure Limits.
Suggested reading: proper control measures
The Employee’s Responsibilities
In order to ensure their safety, the employees also have a part to play. Their roles are given below
- Employees should support each other in correctly following the guidelines and regulations regarding COSHH.
- They must follow the procedures placed for working with hazardous substances. Skipping a step or not using protective equipment can result in exposure.
- If there is any accident or breach in the safety measures, they must report immediately.
- They must attend and pay attention to the instructions and training provided by the employers.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training & Safety
Arm yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself from life-threatening substances.
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training & Safety
Arm yourself with the knowledge and skills to protect yourself from life-threatening substances.
When is the Right Time to Review the Assessment?
A COSHH assessment is carried out before the workers start using or getting exposed to hazardous products. But this is not a one-time thing. At least once a year, the assessment must be reviewed. You must review the assessment if changes are made in the workplace. Additionally, if there is some modification in the use of substances, the assessment needs a review.
Also, regular review is vital for high-risk workplaces where changes are frequent and a massive amount of COSHH substances are used. If the COSHH assessment is not reviewed on a regular basis, adequate control measures cannot be taken. As a result, people’s lives will be in jeopardy.
Summary
Whether you are an employee or an employer, understanding the answers to what is a COSHH assessment can be the line between a safe and a hazardous workplace. So, make sure you focus on the COSHH training and assessment and take the essential steps to control and mitigate risks.
FAQ
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. It is a regulation established to protect the workers from hazardous substances.
COSHH assessment is a risk assessment conducted to identify the risks associated with harmful substances.
Yes, the COSHH assessment is a legal requirement. If you are an employer, it is your legal obligation to conduct a COSHH risk assessment.
The time between the reviews can be around 1 year. However, it may not be the same for all cases, as there are high-risk workplaces. Frequent assessment is necessary for workplaces that change regularly and deal with hazardous substances more often than others.
The risk assessment can vary from one workplace to another. So, it is suggested to use whichever is appropriate for the workplace. However, all the vital information must be included in the form.
The major COSHH substances are given below –
- Products containing chemicals
- Fumes
- Dust
- Vapours
- Mists
- Nanotechnology
- Gases and asphyxiating gases
- Biological agents
- Germs that cause diseases
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