Understanding COSHH: A Guide to Workplace Health and Safety

Understanding COSHH

As a Health and Safety organisation, one of the most essential regulations that we are asked about is COSHH.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn what COSHH means, its importance in the workplace, the regulations that govern it, and how to assess, control, and manage exposure to hazardous substances.

What does COSHH stand for?

The acronym COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. The regulations cover any substance that could be harmful to a person’s health, including chemicals, fumes, dust and biological agents.

These regulations outline measures to protect workers from hazardous substances that they could come into contact with while carrying out their duties. The regulations require employers to: identify the hazardous substances in their workplaces, assess the risks associated with their use, implement measures to control and manage the exposure.

The Importance of COSHH in the Workplace

The importance of undestanding COSHH cannot be overstated. The regulations are in place to protect employees from exposure to hazardous substances that cause thousands of cases of ill health every year in the UK.

Exposure to hazardous substances can lead to a range of health problems including skin irritation, respiratory diseases, and even cancer. Good adherence to COSHH regulations helps to prevent these health problems by ensuring that employers take the necessary measures to protect themselves and others.

12,000 lung disease deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposures at work
Source: HSE

Understanding the COSHH Regulations

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide the guidance for COSHH.  The regulations require employers to:

• Identify the hazardous substances in their workplaces
• Assess the risks associated with the substances
• Implement measures to control and manage exposure to the substances
• Provide training and information to employees on the substances they work with
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of the control measures in place
• Identifying hazardous substances in the workplace

The first step in complying with COSHH is to identify the hazardous substances in the workplace. Employers must consider all of the substances that employees could come into contact with and this might include chemicals, dust, fumes, and biological agents.

Once any hazardous substances have been identified, employers must assess the risks associated with each substance. In particualar it should consider the likelihood and severity of harm that could be caused by exposure to the substance.

Assessing Risks and Creating a COSHH Risk Assessment

The COSHH risk assessment is a critical tool in managing exposure to hazardous substances. The risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person and should identify the control measures that are necessary to protect employees from harm.

A risk assessment should include:

• Identification of the hazardous substances
• Assessment of the risks associated with the substances
• Identification of the control measures that are necessary to manage the risk
• Implementation of the control measures
• Review of the effectiveness of the control measures

It should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains up to date and that it continues to provide adequate protection to employees.

Controlling and Managing Exposure to Hazardous Substances

Employers must implement measures to control and manage exposure to hazardous substances. The control measures should be based on the hierarchy of control, which includes:

• Elimination of the hazardous substance
• Substitution of the hazardous substance with a less harmful alternative
• Engineering controls, such as ventilation systems and dust extraction equipment
• Administrative controls, such as limiting the time that employees spend working with the hazardous substance
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Employers must ensure that the control measures are effective in protecting employees from harm. This includes monitoring the effectiveness of the control measures and taking corrective action if necessary.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its Role in COSHH

PPE is the last line of defence against exposure to hazardous substances and must provided free of charge to employees who work with them. The PPE should be selected based on the risks associated with the substance and should be suitable for the task being carried out. This may include fit testing for RPE (respiratory protective equipment).

Employers must also ensure that the PPE is maintained and replaced when necessary.

Employees must be trained on the correct use and storage of the PPE and must use it whenever necessary to protect themselves from harm.

COSHH Training and Instruction for Employees and Employers

COSHH training and instruction is essential for both employees and employers. Employers must ensure that their employees receive adequate training and information on the hazardous substances that they work with. This training should cover:

• Information on the risks associated with the substances and workplace exposure limits
• Control measures that are in place to protect them
• The correct use of PPE
• Procedures to follow for dealing with spills or emergencies involving hazardous substances

Employers must also receive training on their responsibilities under COSHH regulations. This includes information on how to carry out a CoSHH risk assessment, how to implement control measures, and how to monitor and review the effectiveness of the control measures.

Best Practices for COSHH Compliance

Complying with COSHH regulations requires a proactive and systematic approach. Employers should consider the following best practices to ensure that they are meeting their obligations under the regulations:

• Identify all hazardous substances in the workplace
• Assess the risks associated with each substance
• Implement control measures based on the hierarchy of control
• Provide suitable PPE to employees
• Maintain and replace PPE when necessary
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of control measures
• Provide COSHH training and information to employees and employers
• Review COSHH risk assessments regularly

Summarising the Importance of COSHH and its Impact on Workplace Safety and Health

Summing up, employers have a legal and moral responsibility to comply with the regulations and to ensure the safety and health of their employees while at work.

Essential steps employers must take are: adhering the regulations, identifying hazardous substances, assessing risks associated with the substances, implementing control measures, providing suitable PPE, and providing adequate COSHH training.

To conclude, by following best practices for COSHH compliance, employers can create a safe and healthy workplace for their employees, reduce the risk of illness and injury, and ensure compliance with legal obligations.