COSHH regulations 2002 COSHH STANDS FOR CONTROL OF

COSHH regulations 2002 COSHH STANDS FOR CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, MEANING CHEMICALS OR EQUIPMENT THAT CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT TO THE HUMAN BODY IS CONTROLLED

History of COSHH was introduced since 1988 and it is an organisation that targets to improve and control the amount of hazards that happen in different workplaces and organisations. Over a ¼ of a century different organisations have improved in health and safety less staff members are getting into accidents each year. The graph below shows the trend over the past 16 years. It shows the decrease In accidents that occur without COSHH.

WHAT THEY DO AND WHY THEY DO IT Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, so the law requires employer to control exposure to control hazardous substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect both employees and others who may be exposed by complying with the COSHH. This is done to protect people who are employed with in jobs that involve that interaction of hazardous chemicals

How its carried out Step 1 – Asses the risk Step 2 – Decide what precaution are needed Step 3 – Control exposure Step – 4 ensure the control measures are used and maintained Step – 5 monitor exposure Step – 6 carry out appropriate health surveillance Step – 7 prepare plans and procedures to deal with any incidents Step – 8 Ensure employees are properly informed and trained

Hazardous substances include: ■ substances used directly in work activities (eg adhesives, paints, cleaning agents); ■ substances generated during work activities (eg fumes from soldering and welding); ■ naturally occurring substances (eg grain dust); ■ biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms

Effects of hazardous substances Examples of the effects of hazardous substances include: ■ skin irritation or dermatitis as a result of skin contact; ■ asthma as a result of developing allergy to substances used at work; ■ losing consciousness as a result of being overcome by toxic fumes; ■ cancer, which may appear long after the exposure to the chemical that caused it; ■ infection from bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents).

1 2 Flammable Corrosive 5 Harmful Oxidising 6 Irritant 9 3 10 Explosive 7 Toxic 4 8 Biohazard

Where has COSHH been Ignored Workers exposed to Asbestos AND Legionnaire’s disease In 2008 a constructive site lack the benefits to follow coshh, the manager was found guilty for this Inspectors looked in the site and found: • Asbestos risks – significant quantities throughout the building. • Fall risks – risk of falling through several large openings. • Fire risks – failure to provide sufficient fire safety equipment, failure to carry out fire safety risk assessments, and failure to provide clear escape routes. • Legionella risks – A worker actually contracted Legionnaire’s disease because of prolonged exposure. The penalty they had to pay was: Court Costs: £ 16, 000. Fine: £ 63, 000. Community Service: 200 Hours, Unpaid. Prison Sentence: 12 months, Suspended.

References http: //www. moorecleantexas. com/commercial/construction-site/ http: //www. materials. ox. ac. uk/uploads/file/safety/COSHHRegulations. pdf http: //www. hse. gov. uk/coshh/