COSHH

11 Key excerpts on "COSHH"

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  eBook - PDF

  Principles of Construction Safety

  • Allan St John Holt(Author)
  • 2008(Publication Date)
  • Wiley-Blackwell

    (Publisher)

  This is intended to avoid the need for con-stant reference to other chapters. COSHH assessments The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are very detailed, and contain several pro-visions which will not concern contractors directly. For practical purposes, they can be complied with by following seven basic steps: n Carrying out risk assessments of `COSHH substances' Ð see Part 3 for definitions of these n Working out what precautions are needed to deal with the hazards identified and introducing control measures to prevent or control exposure to the hazardous substance n Ensuring that the control measures are used by employees and that they are effective n Monitoring the exposure of employees, which may involve health surveillance n Providing information, training and supervision as necessary n Regular review of the assessments and their validity in the light of experience 1. Assessing the risks The first step is to make a list of all hazardous substances which are likely to be present at work. The easiest way to do this is to collect the suppliers' information on all the substances which have been bought for use, and read them. There may also be other potentially harmful substances which can be produced by the work process Ð welding rods which produce fumes for example Ð and information on these should be obtained from standard reference sources. COSHH require that employers do not carry out any work which could expose employees to hazardous substances before carrying out a risk assessment. So, for each sub-stance, it is necessary to think about the risks involved. If it is believed that there is no risk, or only a very small one, then no further action is needed. Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires suppliers to provide the necessary information. It is a good plan to keep all this information together in a file for easy reference.

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  eBook - ePub

  Basic Offshore Safety

  Safety induction and emergency training for new entrants to the offshore oil and gas industry

  • Abdul Khalique(Author)
  • 2015(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  5 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 5.1  Hazardous Substances Offshore

  Use of chemicals in any industry is part and parcel of most employees’ work, especially in the oil and gas industry. However, this use must not put workers’ health at risk. As a result, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No. 2677) deal with procedures and precautions necessary for hazardous substances used in any work environment.

  These substances can be found in any of the forms listed below but excluding lead, asbestos and radioactive substances:

  •   chemicals; fumes;

  •   gases;

  •   biological agents;

  •   dust;

  •   mist;

  •   vapours.

  Figure 5.1

  COSHH locker

  Whilst COSHH regulations do not cover radioactive substances, lead and asbestos, there are some additional abilities of these substances such as entering the body through contact with skin, inhalation or ingestion because of which some of the COSHH regulations will apply. For example, when NORM come in contact with drill bits, pipe work, casing or other equipment, they may be contaminated, exposing workers handling this equipment. Similarly, asbestos dust can cause problems because of which the same requirements will apply as for other COSHH materials.

  COSHH precautions also apply to a mixture of two or more substances found in any of the above forms provided they can cause harm if they come in contact with any part of the body, through inhalation or ingestion. Substances such as paints, grease, lubrication oils, cleaning fluids, disinfectants etc. are all covered by COSHH regulations.

  Various terminologies used with reference to COSHH are:

  1.   Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL): about 500 substances have been identified with WEL which are given in the HSE publication ‘EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits’. This publication defines two types of WELs i.e. short-term (15 minutes) and long-term (8 hours) exposure limits. These durations indicate the amount of time in any 24-hour period for which a person can be exposed to the given concentration of any chemical without harm to health. For example, the long-term WEL for acetone is 500 ppm or 1210 mg/m3 and the short-term WEL is 1500 ppm or 3620 mg/m3

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  Containment Systems

  A Design Guide

  • Nigel Hirst, Martyn Ryder, Mike Brocklebank(Authors)
  • 2002(Publication Date)
  • Gulf Professional Publishing

    (Publisher)

  The Regulations and guidance on their implementation are described in an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) published by the HSE as L5. Substances hazardous to health The definition of a substance hazardous to health is given in regulation 2 of COSHH. It covers virtually all substances, including preparations, capable of causing disease or other adverse health effects and applies to exposures to those substances arising from work CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS activities. A substance may be natural or artificial and may be present in solid, liquid, gaseous or vapour form. COSHH also applies to micro-organisms, although they are outside the scope of this guide. COSHH identifies the following five categories: (a) substances in Part 1 of the Approved Supply List (within the meaning of the CHIP Regulations, currently L115) in the very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant categories; (b) substances for which the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has approved a maximum exposure limit or an occupational exposure standard (described later in this chapter); (c) biological agents, i.e., micro-organisms, cell cultures or human endoparasites (including genetically modified micro-organisms) capable of causing any infection, allergy, toxicity or other human health hazard; (d) any dust at a substantial concentration in air (i.e., greater than or equal to 10 mg m -3 for total inhalable dust or 4 mg m -3 for respirable dust, in both cases measured as 8-hour Time-weighted Averages (TWA) values); (e) any substance not in (a) to (d) above but which creates a health hazard comparable to any of them. Specifically excepted from COSHH are exposures to lead and asbestos to the extent that these substances are covered respectively by the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, as amended.

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  Tolley's Practical Risk Assessment Handbook

  • Mike Bateman(Author)
  • 2006(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  9 COSHH Assessments In this chapter: Introduction 9.1 How substances cause harm 9.2 Entry routes 9.3 Harmful effects 9.4 The COSHH Regulations summarised 9.5 Planning and preparing for the assessment 9.6 What the Regulations require 9.6 Who will carry out the assessments? 9.7 How will the assessments be organised? 9.8 Gathering information 9.9 Prevention or control of exposure 9.10 Hierarchy of measures 9.11 Prevention of exposure 9.12 Control measures, other than PPE 9.13 Control using PPE 9.14 Adequate control 9.15 Carcinogens, mutagens and biological agents 9.16 Making the assessment 9.17 Observations 9.18 Discussions 9.19 Sources of help 9.20 Further tests and investigations 9.21 Preparation of assessment records 9.22 Sample assessment records 9.23 After the assessment 9.24 Review and. implementation of recommendations 9.24 Use of control measures 9.25 Maintenance, examination and testing of control measures 9.26 Monitoring exposure at the workplace 9.30 Health surveillance 9.35 Information, instruction and training 9.36 Accidents, incidents and emergencies 9.37 Review of assessments 9.38 Some pitfalls 9.42 The data sheet library 9.43 Armchair assesments 9.44 Overskill 9.45 Not saving the wood for the trees 9.46 Slaves to record systems 9.47 References 9.48 Introduction 9.1 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (the COSHH Regulations) were first introduced in 1988 but have been amended and changed many times since. The present COSHH Regulations came into operation in 2002 but have been subject to subsequent amendments, with the introduction of workplace exposure limits (Regulation 7) being the most notable change. They are the principal Regulations affecting the use of hazardous substances, although there are separate Regulations dealing with asbestos and lead

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  CDM 2007

  • Pat Perry(Author)
  • 2008(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  Examples of the effects of hazardous substances include: •   Skin irritation and dermatitis •   Asthma •   Respiratory conditions •   Loss of consciousness as a result of being overcome with toxic fumes •   Cancer •   Infection from bacteria.

  26.3 When is a substance classed as hazardous under COSHH?

  If a substance or mixture of substances is classified as dangerous under the Chemicals (Hazard, Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (CHIP) then the COSHH Regulations apply to it. Dangerous substances can be identified by their warning label and the supplier must provide safety data sheets for all hazardous substances. The Health and Safety Executive publish lists of the most commonly used dangerous substances. Substances which have an Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) are classified as hazardous. These are substances which can be considered “safe” up to certain exposure limits. Any kind of dust in concentrations specified in the Regulations is deemed to be harmful.

  COSHH does not cover asbestos and lead as these are dealt with under specific legislation.

  26.4 What types of substances in use on a construction site could be considered as hazardous?

  The following are commonly in use on construction sites and could be considered as a hazardous substance under COSHH: •   Solvents •   Silica •   Cement •   Mineral oils •   Carbon monoxide gas •   Carbon dioxide gas •   Adhesives •   Paints •   Wood dusts •   Welding fumes •   Carbon deposits/soot •   Acid cleaners •   Detergents/degreasers •   Pesticides. Details from the suppliers or manufacturers must be obtained for all substances planned to be used on site, or brought in by others to be used on site.

  Remember, whilst the operatives in the immediate vicinity of the hazardous substance may be protected by PPEs, others working some distance away could be affected by the substances, fumes, vapours, mists or dust.

  Case Study

  Two lift engineers were working in the lift shaft, welding the metal frame. They were adequately protected by PPE and had a local exhaust ventilation system which removed the welding fumes. However, unbeknown to them, the exhaust extract was faulty because it had not been subjected to regular inspection and the welding fumes were leaking into the roof void above the lift shaft in which two operatives were laying electrical cables. Both operatives in the roof void were overcome by fumes and were found when the Site Agent checked on progress of works.

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  Information Sources in Chemistry

  • R. T. Bottle, J. F. B. Rowland, R. T. Bottle, J. F. B. Rowland(Authors)
  • 2011(Publication Date)
  • De Gruyter Saur

    (Publisher)

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN Health and safety S. PANTRY The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations came into force in the UK on October 1, 1989, and imposed upon the management of organizations many new responsibilities towards their employees and the general public in respect of chemicals used in the workplace. Sources of information on health and safety therefore became especially important to chemists. The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) in the USA has a similar importance. Public libraries in the UK and abroad not only hold a significant amount of information themselves, but also are the key link to other sources of information. In addition to these library and information ser-vices the major libraries such as British Library Science Reference Information Service in London and also the British Library Document Supply Centre at Boston Spa, which is a huge warehouse of information, can be used via the public library system or via an organization's own library and information service. The Health and Safety Executive Library and Information Service, which has its headquarters in Sheffield with branches at London (Baynards House) and Bootle, Merseyside, for public enquiry service, has an extensive collection of abstracting and indexing periodicals in health and safety in all disciplines. Various parts of the HSE specialize in information such as occupational hygiene and medicine, explosives, explosions, harmful dusts and gases, etc. There is a wealth of information available — arguably too much — but the various systems, services and publications described below should help to cut through the mountain of data and enable the practi-tioner to get hold of authoritative information reasonably quickly. Mention of any product or service in this chapter does not imply approval of it by the HSE.

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  Plant Engineer's Reference Book

  • DENNIS A SNOW(Author)
  • 2013(Publication Date)
  • Newnes

    (Publisher)

  Are there safe systems of work implemented during the operation and maintenance of the plant and equipment? (This may necessitate a permit to work to be issued by an authorized competent person.) 3. Is the work environment monitored, as required under the COSHH Regulations, to ensure that there is no hazard from, for example, toxic contaminants? 4. Has the monitoring of any control measure been implemented? 5. Is there a programme in place whereby all equipment and appliances found necessary to ensure the safety and health of those likely to be affected are regularly inspected? 6. Have the risks to health from the use, storage, handling or transport of articles or substances been kept to the minimum? (Expert advice should be sought in this area if there is no sufficient in-house knowledge). 36.4.2 Safety policies: organization and arrangements It is a statutory requirement that an employer with five or more employees prepares a written statement of the company's general policy, organization and arrange- ments for health and safety at work. This policy statement should be revised at regular intervals and, where appropriate, amended. 36.4.3 Safety training and information Employers have a duty under the 1974 Act to provide, as necessary, training and information to ensure that there is no risk to the health and safety of their employees. It may be found necessary to provide operators and maintenance employees with specific training to carry out certain processes or work tasks. 36.4.4 Duties to others Employers must, as far as is reasonably practicable, have regard for the health and safety of contractors' employees or the self-employed who may be affected by the company's operations and for the health and safety of the general public. This covers, for example, the emission of noxious or offensive gases and dust into the atmosphere, or danger from plant and equipment to which the public or those not directly employed by the company have access.

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  eBook - ePub

  NVQs for Dental Nurses

  • Carole Hollins(Author)
  • 2013(Publication Date)
  • Wiley-Blackwell

    (Publisher)

  Figure 2.6 ).

  Figure 2.6 COSHH hazard signs. Source: Levison’s Textbook for Dental Nurses , 10th edn, C. Hollins, 2008, Wiley-Blackwell.

  These symbols will appear on the substance packaging, along with information on the actions to take in the event of an accident; all of this information will be included in the COSHH report of each substance.

  Other hazardous substances found specifically in the dental workplace are:

  Ionising radiation – as it has a maximum exposure limit

  Micro-organisms – present on all items and equipment contaminated by the body fluids of patients

  The COSHH assessment will follow the stages set out below for each of the substances:

  (1) Identify those substances which are hazardous, by reading the manufacturers’ leaflets, which should accompany the product

  (2) Identify who may be harmed – usually all persons using the substance Identify how they may be harmed – breathing in, irritant to eyes or skin, etc.

  (3) Evaluate the risk of the substance

  (4) Determine whether health monitoring is required (mercury exposure, for example)

  (5) Control the risks, or reduce them as far as possible

  (6) Inform all staff of the risks (show sheets and sign to say they have read and understood them)

  (7) Record the assessment and review and update it regularly

  Each substance will have the relevant details entered onto an evaluation sheet, set out in the same way for ease of reference (Figure 2.7

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  Health and Safety at Work For Dummies, UK Edition

  • David Towlson, Terry Robson, Vicki Swaine(Authors)
  • 2016(Publication Date)
  • For Dummies

    (Publisher)
• Scientific knowledge is in constant development – you only recognise that a chemical substance is hazardous when you find out about the issues around its use. It pays to be a little cautious and to review current data every now and then. It’s sobering when you realise how much is out there yet to be discovered.
You need to work out the best ways to control chemical substances in your workplace. But no need to feel overwhelmed – help is at hand. In the following sections, we look at the control measures you can implement to reduce exposure.

Practicing the principles of good practice

The principles of good practice are a set of overriding approaches set out in the COSHH Regulations 2002 to help control hazardous substances. There are eight in total:

• Principle 1: Design and operate processes and activities to minimise the emission, release and spread of substances hazardous to health. This principle helps you to design the process to minimise the substance contact with employees or change the operation to do the same. Elimination is ideal but not always possible, so look to substitute one of your nasties with a less hazardous option or introduce other controls to reduce the impact of the substance if you just can’t eliminate the risk.
• Principle 2: Take into account all relevant routes of exposure – inhalation, skin and ingestion – when developing control measures.