Hazardous substances
This page helps people looking for information about hazardous substances.
Every year exposure to hazardous substances at work effects the health of many thousands of people.
Common examples include lung disease (e.g. dusty conditions), skin irritation, dermatitis or skin cancer (e.g. frequent contact with oils, contact with corrosive liquids), occupational asthma (e.g. sensitisation to isocyanates in paints or adhesives), toxic fumes, occupational cancer and so on.
The high costs of ill health arise from loss of earnings, loss of productivity, prosecution and civil action amongst others.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
These provide a framework to help protect people in the workplace against health risks from hazardous substances. The substances may be used directly in the work (e.g. cleaning chemicals) or may arise from the work (e.g. dusts, fumes and waste products).
COSHH lays down a sensible step-by-step approach to the necessary precautions and is therefore a useful tool of good management. There is potential for cost benefits e.g. tighter control over the use and storage of materials, improved morale and industrial relations have been widely realised.
COSHH applies to practically all substances hazardous to health. Exceptions include asbestos and lead (which have their own Regulations) and substances which are hazardous because they are radioactive, asphyxiates, at high pressure/temperature or have explosive/flammable properties.
Definitions
Hazard - is the potential to cause harm
Risk - is the likelihood that it will harm you in the actual circumstances of use.
The risk will depend on a number of factors, such as the hazard presented by the substance, how it is used, how exposure is controlled, the degree and extent of exposure etc.
COSHH requires the following:-
- Assessment of the risks
- Deciding what precautions are needed
- Prevention of the risks
- Ensuring that control measures are used and maintained
- Monitoring exposure and health surveillance, where necessary
- Informing, instructing and training employees about the risks and precautions needed.
COSHH checklist for businesses
You can download COSHH leaflet which includes a checklist to print off for your records.
1. Have you a complete inventory of substances used/generated in the workplace?2. Have you identified any substances hazardous to health?
3. Have you gathered information about the substances, the work and working processes? i.e. what hazards are involved? Who could be exposed and how?
4. Have you evaluated the risks to health (either on an individual or group basis) i.e.
- the chance of exposure occurring?
- what level of exposure could happen?
- the duration of the exposure?
- the frequency of the exposure?
5. Have you decided what needs to be done in terms of:
- preventing or controlling exposure?
- maintaining control measures?
- using control measures?
- any monitoring/surveillance?
- information, instruction and training?
7. If "yes" to (6), have you decided on the extent, presentation and format of record?
8. Have you decided when each assessment should be reviewed?
9. Have you established a system or procedure to manage and record the above elements?
Related websites
Please use the links below to find further information on hazardous substances.
- COSHH (HSE website)
- COSHH Essentials website
- CHIP (HSE website)
- Asthma (HSE website)
- Skin at work (HSE website).
- Example Risk Assesment (HSE Website)
- Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of CHemicals (HSE Website).
Last updated : 28/07/2010
