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The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 is the main piece of legislation covering the control of the risks to the health of employees and other people arising from exposure to hazardous substances in connection with work. Examples of hazardous substances include adhesives, paints and cleaning agents used at workplaces, substances generated during work activities such as soldering fumes and sawdust, naturally occurring substances such as flour and grain dust and biological agents giving rise to diseases.
The main objective of the Regulations is to reduce occupational ill health by setting out a framework for controlling hazardous substances in the workplace. To comply with COSSH employers need to follow the following eight steps:
1.Assess the risks to health arising from hazardous substances used, created or encountered in the workplace.
2.Decide on what precautions are needed to prevent exposing employees to hazardous substances.
3.Ideally prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances.
4.Ensure that the control measures put in place are used and are being maintained.
5.Monitor the exposure of employees to hazardous substances, where necessary.
6.Carry out appropriate health surveillance where your risk assessment has shown that this is needed or where COSHH sets out specific requirements.
7.Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies, where necessary.
8.Ensure that employees are informed, trained and supervised in relation to working with or their exposure to hazardous substances.
If your business is enforced by this Authority and require further information on COSHH or wish to discuss specific matters with an officer please do not hesitate to contact our Food/Health and Safety Section on Nottingham (0115) 9013838 or by email. Businesses regulated by the Health and Safety Executive can initially contact them locally by telephoning Nottingham (0115) 9712800).
The HSE's national website contains a wealth of advice and information on COSHH and which can be accessed from our links page.
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