1 / 18

An Introduction to CoSHH

An Introduction to CoSHH. Housekeeping. To prevent exposure to hazardous substances. What is a hazardous substance What forms hazardous substances take How you can be exposed T he effects of exposure How to identify hazardous substances What the legal duties are Control measures

jcarmela
Download Presentation

An Introduction to CoSHH

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. An Introduction to CoSHH

  2. Housekeeping

  3. To prevent exposure to hazardous substances What is a hazardous substance What forms hazardous substances take How you can be exposed The effects of exposure How to identify hazardous substances What the legal duties are Control measures Risk assessments

  4. What is CoSHH? Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances by: • Finding out what the health hazards are • Deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessment) • Providing control measures to reduce harm to health • Making sure they are used • Keeping all control measures in good working order • Providing information, instruction and training for employees and others • Providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases • Planning for emergencies.

  5. What is a ‘substance hazardous to health'? Substances can take many forms and include: • Chemicals • Fumes • Dusts • Powders • Vapours • Mists • Gases • Biological agents (germs). • Germs that cause diseases such as leptospirosis or legionnaires disease.

  6. How might workers be exposed? Routes of entry: • Inhalation - breathing in gases, fumes, mist or dust • Absorption- contact with the skin • Ingestion-swallowing • Injection - skin puncture • Contact with the eyes- vapours, gases, dusts, fluid splashes.

  7. Routes of Entry

  8. What are the hazards? Some substances can cause asthma or other diseases, including cancer. Many can damage the skin, and some can cause serious long-term damage to the lungs and vital organs The effect can be immediate, such as dizziness or stinging eyes, or can take many years to develop, such as lung disease. Many of the long-term or chronic effects cannot be cured once they develop.

  9. What are the hazards? Target organs Lungs Liver Nervous system Kidneys Skin

  10. How do we find out if a substance is harmful? Main sources (product information): • Safety labels (CoSHH symbols) • Material safety data sheets or MSDS (supplied with the product or on manufacturer’s/suppliers website) Other sources: • Ask the supplier, sales representative a trade association • Look in the trade press for health and safety information • Checking on the Internet, eg HSE’s website pages.

  11. Safety labels (CoSHH symbols) Old style symbols New style symbols

  12. Legal Duties EMPLOYERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES • RISK ASSESS ALL TASKS INVOLVING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES • ENSURE THAT EXPOSURE IS PREVENTED OR ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED • ENSURE CONTROL MEASURES ARE USED AND MAINTAINED • MONITOR EXPOSURE AND CARRY OUT HEALTH SURVEILLANCE • PROVIDE INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION • ENSURE THAT SUITABLE EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN PLACE

  13. Legal Duties EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES • USE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS & WORKING METHODS AS DIRECTED • CO-OPERATE WITH MONITORING AND HEALTH SURVEILLANCE • WEAR THE PPE PROVIDED, CORRECTLY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS • STORE THE PPE, WHEN NOT IN USE, IN THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED • REMOVE ANY PPE WHICH COULD CAUSE CONTAMINATION BEFORE EATING, DRINKING OR SMOKING • MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF PERSONAL HYGIENE AND MAKE PROPER USE OF THE FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR WASHING, EATING AND DRINKING • REPORT ACCIDENTS, SAFETY FAILINGS & DEFECTS IN ARRANGEMENTS PROMPTLY TO THE APPOINTED PERSON, MANAGER OR SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE • TAKE REASONABLE CARE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND OF OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY HIS ACTS OR OMISSIONS AT WORK 

  14. Hierarchy of controls Employers should choose the most effective and reliable control options for the circumstances and direct these at the main sources and causes of exposure.

  15. Risk Assessment 5 Steps of risk assessment 1. Identify the Hazard. 2. Who could be Harmed? 3. What Control Measures are in place? 4.RecordYour findings 5. Review Risk Assessments.

  16. Risk Assessment EXERCISE

  17. If you require further advice • Team Leader / Supervisor • Line Manager • Health and Safety Advisor safetyresilienceteam@kettering.gov.uk

  18. To prevent exposure to hazardous substances What is a hazardous substance What forms hazardous substances take How you can be exposed The effects of exposure How to identify hazardous substances What the legal duties are Control measures Risk assessments

More Related