COSHH assessments

Figure 5.3 COSHH assessment procedure PPE = Personal Protective Equipment RPE = Respiratory Protective Equipment...

A Step by Step Guide to COSHH Assessment. Health and Safety Series Booklet HSiCi t 97. [Tealth and Safety Executive, UK. 1.993. 

COSHH Assessments (a step-by-step guide to assessment and the skills needed for it) ... 

Ybir COSHH assessments (see page 8) should identily all areas and the type of health surveillance needed. 

COSHH ASSESSMENT REFERENCE CODE Initials and Date... 

Any spillage should be dealt with quickly and with reference to the substances COSHH assessment or MSDS. BA equipment may be required. Other working areas may need informing as the laboratory is at positive pressure to all surrounding areas. 

Safety invariably all laboratory experiments carry some risk, associated with the chemicals or apparatus to be used. It is usual to perform a COSHH assessment (p. 7) prior to experimental work. Computational chemistry allows the user to carry out work on dangerous chemicals with no risk ... 

All persons working in the laboratory must be made aware of the COSHH assessment for the procedures that they are to follow and the recommended safety measures must be adopted. 

Take care where the procedure involves handling strong acids and hot apparatus and solutions, make sure you have the appropriate training, equipment and protection to do the work safely (see the COSHH assessment in Chapter 4 and the reagent safety data in the Appendix). If in doubt, ask for help. 

Prior to commencing any experimentation, you are required to complete a hazard and risk assessment of the chemicals and apparatus that you will use, i.e. a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment (see Chapter 1). 

Although COSHH Essentials was initially introduced as a p er system an inteiactive electronic version soon followed using the same checklist based approach. Uptake of this version is monitored and recent results available from HSE indicate that its site has received a substantial number of visits since its launch (ov 400,000 visits made by over 170,000 visitors and with over 165,000 COSHH Assessments completed by September 2004). 

Are COSHH assessment and product data sheets available and up to date ... 

All hazardous and harmful materials are identified and the risks to people assessed. COSHH assessments are provided and the appropriate controls are implemented. Health surveillance is provided as necessary. 

Health hazards are present on a construction site. These hazards include vibration, dust (including asbestos), cement, solvents and paints and cleaners. A COSHH assessment is essential before work starts with regular updates as new substances are introduced. Copies of the assessment and the related safety data sheets should be kept in the site office for reference after... 

Before any roof work is started, a risk assessment should be undertaken. This should include an assessment of the structural integrity of the roof and the methods to be used to repair the roof and a COSHH assessment of any hazardous substances to be used. The risk assessment should be followed by the provision of a method statement by the sub-contractor. This should be examined to ensure a safe method of working is proposed and which does not conflict with other sub-contractors. Only competent and trained workers should be employed for roof work and any equipment used should be suitable for the job. 

Before work begins, there must be available sufficient numbers of trained operatives, competent supervisors and suitable plant and materials for trench support. Relevant monitoring equipment and personnel trained in its use will be required if exposure to toxic substances or lack of oxygen may occur. The location of any existing services must be completed. A method statement, which should cover external conditions, such as traffic, weather and existing structures, should also be prepared and, if necessary, COSHH assessments made. 

Ensure safe system of work provided, taking account of prevailing conditions including weather, traffic and existing structures. Provide suitable PPE as required and ensure its correct use. Inspect excavations daily or before each shift. Record thorough examination. Ensure personnel selected are capable, fit and experienced unless under direct supervision. COSHH assessments are to be made of substances likely to be found or produced during the work. 

A COSHH assessment Is very similar to a risk assessment but is applied specifically to hazardous substances. There are six stages to a COSHH assessment ... 

One of the main purposes of a COSHH assessment is to control adequately the exposure of employees and others to hazardous substances. This means that such substances should be reduced to levels which do not pose a health threat to those exposed to them day after day at work. Under the 2005 amendments to the COSHH Regulations 2002, the Health and Safety Commission has assigned workplace exposure limits (WELs) to a large number of hazardous substances and publishes... 

There are other important sources of information available for a COSHH assessment in addition to the HSE Guidance Note EH40. 

An essential part of the COSHH assessment is the measuremertt of the quarrtity of the hazardous substance in the atmosphere surrounding the workplace. This is known as air sampling. There are four common types of air sampling techniques used for the measurement of air quality ... 

Figure 4.7.1(b) COSHH assessment form (Courtesy British Sugar Pic)... 

By using a numerical rating a measure of the priority ranking for remedial action can be made. In cases where the level of exposure to a material is not clear cut, an occupational hygiene study should be carried out. Figure 4 J,1(b) is an example of the documentation used to record the findings of a COSHH assessment. 

COSHH assessment records and occupational hygiene reports should be kept for at least 40 years. These records should include the name and works number of the employees who have been monitored. Health surveillance records should be kept for 5-40 years, dependent upon the substance involved and the degree of exposure. 

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