If you are responsible for managing a business or leading a work team, you have a duty to make yourself aware of the rules and regulations in place to protect employees' health and safety. Only by doing so can you ensure they are kept safe at work, while fulfilling your own responsibilities as an employer.
For companies whose work involves the use or handling of potentially hazardous substances, this means adhering strictly to the guidelines set out in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. The purpose of COSHH regulations is to prevent or reduce workers' exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals and materials, ensuring that accidents are avoided and staff wellbeing is preserved.
Here, we will explore the essential COSHH basics that businesses need to know in order to ensure that everyone on site understands their COSHH management responsibilities, and is provided with everything they need to safely work with substances hazardous to health.
In 2021/22, 1.8 million workers suffered from work-related ill healh (new or long standing) in 2021/22, of which many will be a result of exposure to hazardous, dangerous or toxic substances in the workplace. This can include anything from asbestos and corrosive chemicals to solvents, biological waste, fumes and dust.
The impact of these incidents can be extremely damaging to a worker's health, leading to consequences such as chemical burns, skin disease, respiratory problems or even cancer. This is also damaging from the employer's point of view, as this leads to workplace absences, lost productivity, a damaged company reputation and the threat of regulatory penalties.
COSHH is the law put in place to prevent these accidents from occuring. Enforced by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the purpose of COSHH is to ensure that companies control all of the risks associated with the use of hazardous substances on site, by educating staff on how to handle these substances safely and providing them with the COSHH management equipment they will need to do so.
In order to fulfil all of their responsibilities under these rules, businesses need to ensure they are well acquainted with COSHH basics and have taken the following steps:
Carry out thorough COSHH assessments to identify potential risks and health hazards associated with the use of dangerous substances at work. This means considering the following:
Plan out a comprehensive strategy for how these risks will be controlled. For example, can an alternative product be used, or is there a way to prevent harm from being caused, or to utilise the substance in a safer way?
Provide control measures to ensure that any potential harm to health from hazardous substances on site is kept to an absolute minimum. This may include:
By considering all of these factors, businesses can ensure they are properly complying with COSHH and providing their staff with everything they need to stay safe while using hazardous materials.
Under COSHH regulations, the implementing controls is the employer’s responsibility. The employer is required to conduct risk assessments, implement control measures and ensure the safety of both employees and any other individuals who may be exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace. However, it is also incumbent upon employees to adhere to control measures, use provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and report any hazards or potential breaches in safety.
Moreover, in certain instances, external contractors or third-party agents engaged in work at the premises may also have responsibilities to adhere to COSHH regulations.
COSHH training is a legal requirement for those who work with or are exposed to hazardous substances. The regulations mandate that employers provide adequate training and information to ensure that employees can handle, store, and dispose of hazardous substances safely. Failure to provide appropriate COSHH training can lead to severe legal consequences for employers, including fines and even imprisonment in extreme cases.
COSHH training is mandatory for all employees who may come into contact with hazardous substances as part of their work. This includes, but is not limited to:
Moreover, managers and supervisors overseeing these roles must also undergo COSHH training to ensure compliance and supervise safety protocols effectively.
The validity of COSHH training can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of the work. However, it is generally recommended that COSHH training be refreshed every two to three years. Additionally, training should be updated if:
It is the responsibility of the employer to keep track of training records and ensure that all staff members’ training is up-to-date.
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COSHH covers most hazardous substances used in the workplace. However, it does not cover certain substances that are regulated under other specific legislation, such as asbestos (Control of Asbestos Regulations), lead (Control of Lead at Work Regulations), radioactive substances (Ionising Radiations Regulations), and biological agents (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations - Schedule 3, Part II).
Your COSHH responsibilities depend on your role in the workplace:
As an employer, you are responsible for:
As an employee, you are responsible for:
COSHH is important because it helps to protect the health and safety of employees and others in the workplace by minimising exposure to a hazardous substance. Compliance with COSHH regulations can reduce the risk of occupational illnesses, injuries and long-term health issues, leading to a safer and healthier work environment.
Under COSHH, employers are responsible for:
COSHH regulations apply to all industries where hazardous substances are used, produced or generated, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, agriculture and many others. Any workplace that handles or has the potential to be exposed to hazardous substances falls under the scope of COSHH regulations.
To assess the risks posed by hazardous substances in your workplace, follow these steps:
Non-compliance with COSHH regulations can result in:
For more information about COSHH, you can consult the HSE, the UK's national regulator for workplace health and safety. They provide comprehensive guidance on COSHH, including practical advice on a COSHH risk assessment, control measures and compliance. Visit their website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/ for detailed information and resources.