COSHH

Occupational health issues are now twice as likely to affect persons than direct accidents in the workplace. Although these illness’ do not usually kill people they can result in years of pain and discomfort for example respiratory disease, hearing problems etc..

There are three main types of legislation that cover chemical and biological health hazards in the workplace, these are

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
• Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
• Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002

Classifications of hazardous substances and their associated health risks

Irritant – is a non-corrosive substance which can cause skin (dermatitic) or lung (bronchial) inflammation after repeated contact. People who react in this way are usually sensitised or allergic to that particular substance.

Corrosive Subsatnces are the ones which will attack, normally by burning living tissue. Usually a strong acid or alkali, examples include sulphuric acid and caustic soda. Many tough cleaning substances, such as kitchen oven cleaners are corrosives.

Harmful – is the most commonly used classification and describes a substance which, if swallowed, inhaled or penetrates the skin, may pose limited health risks. These risks can normally be minimised or removed by following the instructions provided with the .substance and/or with the use of personal protective equipment.

Toxic substances are the ones that may prevent or impede the function of one or more organs within the body such as kidneys, liver and heart.

Carcinogenic substances are known or suspected of promoting abnormal development of body cells to become cancerous. An example of this would be asbestos.

Effects of substances can be classifies as “acute” or “chronic”

Acute effects are of short duration and appear rapidly, usually during or quickly after a single or short term exposure. Effects can be severe and may require hospital treatment i.e. severe asthma attacks.

Chronic effects develop over a period of time which may extend to years. The word “chronic” means with ‘time’ and should not be confused with severe. Chronic health effects are produced from prolonged or repeated exposures to hazardous substances resulting often in irreversible illnesses.

COSHH

COSHH provides a framework for all employers to work on and adherence to these regulations should provide the employer with

• Improved productivity due to lower levels of ill health and more effective use of materials
• Improved employee morale
• lower numbers of civil court claims
• Better understanding of health & safety legal requirements

Routes of Entry to the Human Body

Inhalation – breathing in the substance with normal intake becoming air bourne through a number of ways such as sweeping, spraying etc

Absorption through the skin – the substance comes into contact with the skin and enters either through the pores or a wound.

Ingestion – through the mouth and swallowed into the stomach and the digestive system, the most common form of this is poor personal hygiene, not washing your hands etc..

Injection – although this is very rare

Requirements of the COSHH Regulations

Certain duties are imposed on employers and employees by these regulations, the main requirements are detailed below

1. employers must undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the health riska created by work which is liable to expose their employees to substances hazardous to the health and of the steps that need to be taken by employers to meet the requirements of these regulations. (Regulation 6)
2. employers must prevent, or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately control the exposure of their employees to substances hazardous to health. Maximum exposure limits (MEL), which should not be exceeded, are specified by the HSE for certain substances. Occupational exposure limits (OEL) are approved by the HSE and are levels which controls are necessary to reduce concentration to or below the OES as soon as is reasonably practicable. As far as inhalation is concerned then PPE is not considered a preventative measure and other controls need to be introduced. (Regulation 7)
3. employers and employees must make proper use of control measures provided (Regulation 8)
4. employers must maintain any installed control measures on a regular basis and keep suitable (Regulation 9)
5. monitoring must be undertaken of any employee exposed to items listed in schedule 5 of the regulations or in any other case where monitoring is required for the maintenance of adequate control or the protection of employees. Records of this monitoring must be kept for 5 years, or 40 years where employees can be identified. (Regulation 10)
6. health surveillance must be provided to any employees who are exposed to any substances listed in schedule 6. Records of such surveillance must be kept for at least 40 years after the last entry.
7. employees who may be exposed to substances hazardous to their health must be given information, instruction and training sufficient for him to know the health risks created by the exposure and the precautions which should be taken (Regulation 12)

It is important to remember that if there is no warning sign on the chemical container then no COSHH assessment is required.

Six Stages to a COSHH assessment

1. iidentify the hazardous substances present in the workplace and those who could be affected by them;
2. gather information about the hazardous substances;
3. evaluate the risks to health;
4. decide on the control measures, if any, required including information, instruction and training
5. record the assessment
6. review the assessment