COSHH Assessment
Assessment is a step-by-step approach:
- Identify what hazards there are.
- Evaluate the risks to people.
- For significant risks, decide on the action needed to remove or reduce them to insignificant levels.
Assessment is the responsibility of the employer. Persons preparing the assessment will need to:
- Have access to, and understand, COSHH, related legislation, codes of practice and published guidance
- Be competent to carry through the work of assessment
- Consult widely within the workforce and inform them of results accordingly
Substances hazardous to health include:
- Substances classified as dangerous to health under the Chemicals Hazard Information and Packing for Supply (CHIP3) Regulations 2002. Many are listed in "The Approved Supply List" which is part of the "CHIP 3" Regulations
- Substances with occupational exposure limits (these are specified in Guidance Note EH40 which is revised annually)
- Biological agents
- Dusts of any kind in substantial concentrations
- Identification of hazardous substances can be found from:
- Hazard data sheets, labels etc. from suppliers (required by law)
- Knowledge from within your business or industry; trade literature
- Published guidance/documents
- Part V of the Approved Supply List (HSE)
The Risk Assessment involves looking at:
- Use, handling, generation, release etc. of hazardous substances
- Who might be affected and likely exposure level/extent
- Nature of exposure (breathing in, swallowing, skin absorption etc.)
- Current measures to prevent or control exposure
- Accidental leakage, spillage or release
- Cleaning and maintenance operations
Bracknell Forest Borough Council has produced an information leaflet on COSHH which includes a template for carrying out a COSHH assessment. This, along with a seperate copy of the template, can be downloaded on the right.
Further help on COSHH assessments can be found on-line via a website called ‘COSHH Essentials’, which this provides advice on controlling the use of chemicals for a range of common tasks.
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