coshh - a guide to the regulations

7/31/2019 COSHH - A Guide to the Regulations

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Hansen - Managing Safely 1

COSHH - A Guide to the

Regulations

Mark Mallen

Health and Safety ManagerFenlock Hansen Ltd


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Introduction

COSHH

Control

Of Substances

Hazardous to

Health


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Introduction

Directly

Naturally

By-products If exposure is not controlled

Injuries

Illness or death


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Objectives

Name 5 potential health effects

5 employers duties and 3 employees

Name 5 hazardous substances Name 5 routes of entry

Name 3 means of identifyingsubstances

Name and describe 5 hazard symbols

Describe the hierarchy of control

Conduct an assessment


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Agenda

Potential health effects

Legal background

Hazardous substances Routes of entry

Identifying substances

Exposure limits Controlling risks

Working safely

Summary


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Potential Health Effects

Skin problems Dermatitis

Skin cancer

Asthma From exposure to sensitisers

Isocyanates Dusts


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Poisoning By drinking from unlabelled bottles

Cancer May appear years after first exposure

Infection Exposure to bacteria, spores and micro

organisms




Short-term - acute effects

Skin / eye irritation

Headaches

Dizziness

Nausea Unconsciousness




Long-term - chronic effects

Cancer Lung disease Liver / kidney dysfunction Skin disease




Intermediate effects

Physiology

Symptoms may improve



Legal Background The Control of Substances Hazardous

to Health Regulations 1999

A systematic approach to the control of

risk



Employers' Responsibilities

Assess risks

Prevent or control exposure Decide on precautions Ensure controls are used and

maintained

Monitor exposure, and conduct healthsurveillance, where necessary

Provide adequate supervision Provide information, instruction and

training


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Employees' Responsibilities Follow the rules and safe systems of

work

Use the controls provided, properly Co-operate with monitoring and health

surveillance


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Hazardous Substances Solvents

De-fat the skin Skin disease and dermatitis


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Hazardous SubstancesAcids

Burn body tissue


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Hazardous Substances Gases

Affect the respiratory system Lung damage


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Hazardous Substances Oils and lubricants

Skin disease

Engine fumes

Carbon monoxide poisoning


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Hazardous Substances Wood dust

Some hardwoods carcinogenic at lowlevels


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Hazardous Substances Welding fume

Metal fume fever

Lead

Poisoning


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Hazardous SubstancesAnimals

Contact with rats urine may causeWeils disease


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Routes of Entry

Inhalation Breathing in vapours, gases, fumes or

dusts Ingestion

Eating or drinking substancesAbsorption Skin or eyes


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Routes of Entry

Injection

Entering the body through the skin Skin contact

On


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Routes of Entry - Substances

Solvents

Liquids through the skin Vapours through inhalation


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Acids

Skin contact Inhalation


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Gases

Inhalation or Through the skin


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Petrol

InhalationAbsorption

Skin contact

Ingestion


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Oils and lubricants

Skin contact

Engine fumes

Inhalation


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Wood dust

Skin contact or Inhalation


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Welding fume

Inhalation

Lead

Skin absorption

Inhalation

Ingestion


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Bio hazards

Weils disease Farmers lung Injection

Inhalation Ingestion


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In summary

Many ways to enter the body Not always be obvious


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Identifying Substances

Methods

The label Product safety data sheet

COSHH assessment


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Hazard Warning Labels

All commercially supplied substancesare labelled in a standardised way

To enable easy identification Identify type of hazard posed

Provide some information


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The label should state

The name of the product

Hazard symbol(s)An indication of danger

Warning (risk phrase)

Safety advice (safety phrase) Manufacturers or suppliers details


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Designed to warnAdvise of action to protect Not work instructionsAlways refer to

The risk assessment

COSHH assessment Safe working practice


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Do not assume Labels may be missing Substances may have been decanted May not be hazardous in the form

supplied

May become hazardous when mixed If in doubt, seek advice


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Sad but true

A cleaner mixed Harpic and Domestos

creating chlorine gas, as used in thetrenches in WW1

She died


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Hazard Symbols

Corrosive


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Hazard Symbols

Corrosive

May causeserious burns Minor contact may cause skin damage


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Hazard Symbols

Flammable


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Hazard Symbols

Flammable

Burns with little heat applied


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Hazard Symbols

Harmful or Irritant - Xn or Xi


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Hazard Symbols

Irritant Xi

Non-corrosive May cause painful inflammation

Could lead to dermatitis

Harmful Xn

May cause limited health effects


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Hazard Symbols

Oxidising


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Hazard Symbols

Oxidising

May cause spontaneous combustion In contact with other substances


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Hazard Symbols

Toxic / Very Toxic


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Hazard Symbols

Very toxic

Extremely serious acute or chronic healtheffects or even death

Toxic

Serious acute or chronic health effects oreven death


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Hazard Symbols

Risk of Explosion


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Hazard Symbols

Environmental Hazard


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Risk Phrase States the hazard of the material

Harmful by inhalation Toxic if swallowed

Highly flammable

Irritating to eyes May cause drowsiness


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Safety Phrase States what precautions should be

taken

In case of insufficient ventilation, wear

suitable respiratory equipment

Keep container tightly closed

Avoid contact with skin and eyes

No smoking


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Material Data Sheets

Describes the characteristics ofthe substance in 16 categories:

1. Identification of the substance andcompany

2. Composition / information on

ingredients3. Hazards


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4. First-aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure controls / personal

protection


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9. Physical and chemical properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information12. Ecological information


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13. Disposal considerations

14. Transport information

15. Regulatory information16. Other information


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Used to complete a COSHH (risk)assessment

It is not a replacement Or substitute


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Exposure Limits

Some substances pose a significantrisk to health

Controlled by specific legislationAsbestos

Lead

Not the COSHH regulations


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Exposure Limits

Some substances have exposure limits

MEL, STEL & OEL

Stated in EH40 - current addition These levels are important when

assessing health risks


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Controlling Risks Hazard

A substance with the potential to causeharm

Risk

A measure of the likelihood that it will

cause harm in the way that it is used


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Controlling Risks Remember

The hazard is constant

Risk changes How it is used

How much is used

Handled

Stored


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Controlling Risks Poor control can create a risk

Even if the substance is not particularly

hazardous

With proper precautions

The most hazardous substances can be

controlled


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Risk Assessment

A COSHH assessment is anexamination of the risk posed by The substance How it is used The amount of exposure

Resulting in Control measures and safe working

practices


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Practical Exercise 1

Scenario 1

A chemical is used as part of an

adhesive spray The operator uses it all day

Spraying door panels on a

production line, before a covering isapplied

A 200-litre drum lasts a week


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Scenario 3

Using a solvent-based marker pen


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Decide on a risk rating for using theabove substances

Consider the situations described andconsider the control measures required


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For the operative spraying door panels

Local exhaust ventilation Respiratory protective equipment


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For the operative using solvent toclean-off

Gloves Good ventilation


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Using a marker pen

None considered necessary


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Hierarchy of Control

Elimination / Substitution

Reduction

Enclose the process Engineered methods

PPE

Underpinned by supervision


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PPE

Often the only effective means ofcontrol

Suitable for the hazard

Looked after and maintained Suitable for the users Used by trained workers

Worn when specified


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Control Systems

Employers must Maintain, examine and test

Monitor exposure levels Conduct health surveillance


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Emergency Procedures

Exposure from accidental releases

Vital that everybody knows what to

doClean-up proceduresEvacuation procedures Liaison with emergency services


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The Hansen Method

Task-based assessments

Tasks may use more than one

substance


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Conduct an assessment Using a hazard data sheet for a

substance that we use in theworkplace


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Working Safely

Operatives

Ensure that you see the COSHHassessment and SWP

Before you start

Follow the SWP and COSHH assessment Use the control measures provided


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Working Safely

Wear the PPE

Co-operatewith monitoring and healthsurveillance

Report problems Work in a safe and responsible manner


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Working Safely

Managers and supervisors

Conduct and review assessments Issue and make available

Discuss contents Record issue and training given Ensure changes are reflected


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Working Safely

Ensure control measures are

Maintained

Continue to be effectiveAre used

Deal with concerns Provide information, instruction andtraining Supervise


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Summary

COSHH is designed to protect people

Providing information

Assessing risk Controlling exposure Ensuring controls are suitable


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Objectives

Name 5 potential health effects

5 employers duties and 3 employees

Name 5 hazardous substances Name 5 routes of entry

Name 3 means of identifyingsubstances

Name and describe 5 hazard symbols Describe the hierarchy of control

Conduct an assessment


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The End or the Beginning?

Any Questions

Thanks for Listening

And dont forget Be Safe!

coshh - a guide to the regulations

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