hansen - managing safely 1 coshh - a guide to the regulations mark mallen health and safety manager...

Hansen - Managing Safely 1

COSHH - A Guide to the COSHH - A Guide to the RegulationsRegulations

Mark Mallen

Health and Safety Manager Fenlock Hansen Ltd


Introduction Introduction

COSHH Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health


Introduction Introduction

DirectlyNaturallyBy-products If exposure is not controlled

– Injuries– Illness or death


ObjectivesObjectives

Name 5 potential health effects5 employers’ duties and 3 employees’Name 5 hazardous substancesName 5 routes of entryName 3 means of identifying

substancesName and describe 5 hazard symbolsDescribe the hierarchy of controlConduct an assessment


AgendaAgenda

Potential health effectsLegal backgroundHazardous substancesRoutes of entry Identifying substancesExposure limitsControlling risksWorking safelySummary


Potential Health EffectsPotential Health Effects

Skin problems– Dermatitis– Skin cancer

Asthma– From exposure to sensitisers

IsocyanatesDusts



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 BackgroundLegal Background

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999

– A systematic approach to the control of risk


Employers' ResponsibilitiesEmployers' Responsibilities

Assess risksPrevent or control exposureDecide on precautionsEnsure controls are used and

maintainedMonitor exposure, and conduct health

surveillance, where necessaryProvide adequate supervisionProvide information, instruction and

training


Employees' ResponsibilitiesEmployees' Responsibilities

Follow the rules and safe systems of work

Use the controls provided, properly

Co-operate with monitoring and health surveillance


Hazardous SubstancesHazardous Substances

Solvents

De-fat the skin Skin disease and dermatitis



Acids

Burn body tissue



Gases

Affect the respiratory system Lung damage



Oils and lubricants

Skin disease

Engine fumes

Carbon monoxide poisoning



Wood dust

Some hardwoods carcinogenic at low levels



Asbestos

Can lead to lung cancer



Welding fume

Metal fume fever

Lead

Poisoning



Animals

Contact with rat’s urine may cause Weil’s disease


Routes of EntryRoutes of Entry

Inhalation– Breathing in vapours, gases, fumes

or dusts Ingestion

– Eating or drinking substancesAbsorption

– Skin or eyes


Routes of EntryRoutes of Entry

Injection– Entering the body through the skin

Skin contact– On


Routes of Entry - SubstancesRoutes of Entry - Substances

Solvents

Liquids through the skin Vapours through inhalation



Acids

Skin contact Inhalation



Gases

Inhalation or Through the skin



Petrol

Inhalation Absorption Skin contact Ingestion



Oils and lubricants

Skin contact

Engine fumes

Inhalation



Wood dust Skin contact or Inhalation


Routes of Entry - SubstancesRoutes of Entry - Substances Welding fume

Inhalation

Lead

Skin absorption Inhalation Ingestion



Bio hazards

Weil’s disease Farmer’s lung Injection Inhalation Ingestion



In summary

– Many ways to enter the body– Not always be obvious


Identifying SubstancesIdentifying Substances

Methods

The labelProduct safety data sheetCOSHH assessment


Hazard Warning LabelsHazard Warning Labels

All commercially supplied substances are labelled in a standardised way– To enable easy identification– Identify type of hazard posed– Provide some information


Hazard Warning LabelsHazard Warning Labels

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


Hazard Warning Labels Hazard Warning Labels

Designed to warnAdvise of action to protectNot work instructionsAlways refer to

– The risk assessment – COSHH assessment– Safe working practice



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



Sad but true– A cleaner mixed Harpic and

Domestos creating chlorine gas, as used in the trenches in WW1

She died


Hazard SymbolsHazard Symbols

Corrosive



Corrosive

– May cause serious burns– Minor contact may cause skin

damage



Flammable



Flammable

– Burns with little heat applied



Harmful or Irritant - Xn or Xi



Irritant – Xi

– Non-corrosive – May cause painful inflammation– Could lead to dermatitis

Harmful – Xn

– May cause limited health effects



Oxidising



Oxidising

– May cause spontaneous combustion– In contact with other substances



Toxic / Very Toxic



Very toxic

– Extremely serious acute or chronic health effects or even death

Toxic

– Serious acute or chronic health effects or even death



Risk of Explosion



Environmental Hazard


Risk PhraseRisk Phrase

States the hazard of the material

– ‘Harmful by inhalation’– ‘Toxic if swallowed’– ‘Highly flammable’– ‘Irritating to eyes’– ‘May cause drowsiness’


Safety PhraseSafety 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’


Material Data Sheets Material Data Sheets

Describes the characteristics of the substance in 16 categories:

1. Identification of the substance and company

2. Composition / information on ingredients

3. Hazards



4. First-aid measures5. Fire-fighting measures6. Accidental release measures7. Handling and storage8. Exposure controls / personal

protection



9. Physical and chemical properties10. Stability and reactivity11. Toxicological information12. Ecological information



13. Disposal considerations14. Transport information15. Regulatory information16. Other information



Used to complete a COSHH (risk) assessment

It is not a replacement Or substitute


Exposure LimitsExposure Limits

Some substances pose a significant risk to health

Controlled by specific legislation– Asbestos– Lead– Not the COSHH regulations


Exposure LimitsExposure Limits

Some substances have exposure limits

MEL, STEL & OELStated in EH40 - current additionThese levels are important when

assessing health risks


Controlling RisksControlling Risks

Hazard

– A substance with the potential to cause harm

Risk

– A measure of the likelihood that it will cause harm in the way that it is used



Remember– The hazard is constant

Risk changes – How it is used– How much is used– Handled– Stored



Poor control can create a risk – Even if the substance is not

particularly hazardousWith proper precautions

– The most hazardous substances can be controlled


Risk Assessment Risk Assessment

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

Resulting in – Control measures and safe working

practices


Practical Exercise 1Practical 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 is applied

– A 200-litre drum lasts a week



Scenario 2– An operator has a container

with 500ml of solvent– Used to wipe off excess

adhesive, after the covering is applied

– The container lasts about a week before it needs refilling


Practical Exercise 1 Practical Exercise 1

Scenario 3– Using a solvent-based marker

pen



Decide on a risk rating for using the above substances

Consider the situations described and consider the control measures required



For the operative spraying door panels

– Local exhaust ventilation– Respiratory protective equipment



For the operative using solvent to clean-off

– Gloves– Good ventilation



Using a marker pen

– None considered necessary


Hierarchy of ControlHierarchy of Control

Elimination / SubstitutionReductionEnclose the processEngineered methodsPPE

Underpinned by supervision


PPEPPE

Often the only effective means of control– Suitable for the hazard– Looked after and maintained– Suitable for the users– Used by trained workers– Worn when specified


Control SystemsControl Systems

Employers must– Maintain, examine and test – Monitor exposure levels– Conduct health surveillance


Emergency ProceduresEmergency Procedures

Exposure from accidental releases

Vital that everybody knows what to do

Clean-up proceduresEvacuation proceduresLiaison with emergency

services


The Hansen MethodThe Hansen Method

Task-based assessmentsTasks may use more than one

substance



Conduct an assessmentUsing a hazard data sheet for a

substance that we use in the workplace


Working SafelyWorking Safely

Operatives

– Ensure that you see the COSHH assessment and SWP

Before you start

– Follow the SWP and COSHH assessment

– Use the control measures provided



– Wear the PPE– Co-operate with monitoring and

health surveillance– Report problems– Work in a safe and responsible

manner



Managers and supervisors

– Conduct and review assessments– Issue and make available – Discuss contents– Record issue and training given– Ensure changes are reflected



– Ensure control measures areMaintainedContinue to be effectiveAre used

– Deal with concerns– Provide information, instruction and

training– Supervise


SummarySummary

COSHH is designed to protect people

Providing informationAssessing riskControlling exposureEnsuring controls are suitable


ObjectivesObjectives

Name 5 potential health effects5 employers’ duties and 3 employees’Name 5 hazardous substancesName 5 routes of entryName 3 means of identifying

substancesName and describe 5 hazard symbolsDescribe the hierarchy of controlConduct an assessment


The End or the Beginning?The End or the Beginning?

Any QuestionsThanks for ListeningAnd don’t forgetBe Safe!

hansen - managing safely 1 coshh - a guide to the regulations mark mallen health and safety manager...

Documents

health slide

dermatitis slide

health surveillance

training slide

death slide

summary slide

assessment slide

lung cancer slide