control subtances hazardous health

8/3/2019 Control Subtances Hazardous Health

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Control of SubstancesHazardous to Health

(CoSHH)


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CoSHH a tool in Safety and Health

Any work with hazardous substancesmust not be undertaken until

assessments are done.This tool will address the risk ofhandling materials.

The MSDS or Safety Data of theChemicals is of value in thepreparation of CoSHH.


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CoSHH Regulations classifying

substances as HAZARDOUS:

1. Substances classified as very toxic, toxic, harmful,corrosive or irritant. This can be identified by theirwarning labels and safety data sheet.

2. Substances with Occupational Exposure Standard (OES)or Maximum Exposure Limit (MEL).

3. Biological substances like bacteria and viruses.

4. Any kind of dust at a concentration of 10 mg/m3 ormore.

5. Any other substances which creates a risk to health likepesticides, medicines or cosmetics, etc.

Note: Asbestos and lead are not included as they havetheir own regulations.


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What CoSHH requires:

1. ASSESS THE RISK identify hazardous substances inworkplace, what are the risk to peoples health, howmuch is used or produced, how people can be exposed,who could be exposed, and how often.

2. DECIDE WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE NEEDED precautionsthat could remove or reduce the risk like no eatingrules, use of personal protective equipment, use ofventilation and fume cupboards, etc.

3. PREVENT OR CONTROL EXPOSURE

like a change inprocess or activity, replacement of a safer alternative,the use of a safer form, reducing number of people, useof PPE, reduction of materials, etc.


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What CoSHH requires:

4. ENSURE THAT CONTROL MEASURES ARE MAINTAINEDAND USED PROPERLY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES AREFOLLOWED This can be done by giving the righttraining to workers, examine all equipment that theyuse and test it regularly, check ventilation system , etc.

5. MONITOR EXPOSURE of employees to hazardoussubstances.

6. CARRY OUT THE APPROPRIATE HEALTH SURVEILLANCE This surveillance may include an examination from thedoctor of the company.

7. PREPARE PLANS AND PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITHACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES

8. ENSURE THAT EMPLYEES ARE PROPERLY INFORMED,TRAINED, AND SUPERVISED This could includeknowledge of materials of the process and the risk of

exposure, findings of the risk assessment, emergencyprocedures.


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CoSHH Risk Assessment Form

1. Description of procedure / experiment (include activitiesand equipment to be used and location of use).

2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Identify the type(s) ofhazard(s) under the following classification, include all

substances that are produced during the process.a) Very toxic, toxic, harmful, irritant, corrosive,

flammable, explosive?

b) Max. Exposure Limit, O.E.Standard?

c) Biological Substance?

d) A dust witch is airborne?

e) Carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen?

f) Hazardous to health?

3. Is there a less hazardous substance?, If so why is it not

being used?


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4. RISK ASSESSMENT List the substances to be used andthe amounts of each substance.

5. RISK ASSESSMENT Describe and evaluate the risk(s)arising the experiment / procedure.

6. CONTROL MEASURES

Measures to be adopted toprevent exposure and control the risk(s) like Openbench only?, Fume cupboard needed?, Local exhaustventilation?, Total enclosure?, Good chemical laboratorypractice?, Eye protection?, Hand protection?, Others.

7. RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Work not to be done outsidenormal working hours?, Work not to be leftunattended?, Work to be done by named persons only?,Work to be done in restricted area?.


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8. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

a) Spillage or uncontrolled release.

b) Fire.

c) If personnel is affected, treatment to be adopted.9. DISPOSAL PROCEDURE How substances will bedisposed of both during and at the end of theexperiment / procedure.

10. SOURCES OF INFORMATION List of Safety data sheets

and other relevant information.11. DECLARATION and signature of the employee and of

the supervisor.

12. ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY ADVISER OR ASSESSOR.

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