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Every year, thousands of workers are made ill by hazardous substances, contracting lung disease such as asthma, cancer and skin disease such as dermatitis. These diseases cost many millions of pounds each year to businesses, society and individuals. You, as the employer, are responsible for taking effective measures to control exposure and protect health. These measures can also improve production and cut waste.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, regulation 12 states that ‘every employer who undertakes work which is liable to expose an employee to a substance hazardous to health shall provide that employee with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.’

Anyone who works with or is exposed to hazardous substances is at risk. Hazardous substances include chemicals that people make or work with directly, such as dust, fumes and bacteria.

Exposure can happen by breathing them in, contact with the skin, splashing them into the eyes or swallowing them. If exposure isn’t prevented or properly controlled, it can cause serious illness including cancer, asthma and dermatitis and sometimes even death.

If you fail to adequately control such substances and people become ill, it may result in lost productivity to your business, possible enforcement action and prosecution and compensation claims from your employees.

To help you prevent this happening, our big lesson this month shares how to compile a comprehensive COSHH Assessment.

Quote Of The Month

01452 890327 • [email protected] envesca-limited

Controlling Exposure

Summer 2016

U K ’ S L E A D I N G F O O D S A F E T Y A N D H E A L T H & S A F E T Y S P E C I A L I S T S

Safeguard

Inside this month...

Big Lesson of the Month p2Customer Spotlight p3Celebrating 20 Years p4Meet The Team p6Focus On Training p6Achievement Gallery p7Forthcoming Training Dates p8

For more information, visit the website at www.envesca.co.uk

an investment inKNOWLEDGE always pays

the bestINTEREST

Benjamin Franklin

How to Compile a Comprehensive COSHH Assessment


Safeguard - The Envesca Newsletter. Summer 2016.

The COSHH Regulations 2002 cover the use of hazardous substances in the workplace. This set of regulations sets out the requirement for employers to carry out specific COSHH assessments for hazardous substances. Most companies will use some form of hazardous substance, even if it is just for cleaning purposes. If hazardous substances, also known as COSHH substances, are used in the workplace then employers must carry out a risk assessment.

These documents are commonly known as COSHH assessments and identify the risk to employees from the use of hazardous substances. To help, we share our guidance on how to compile a comprehensive COSHH assessment.

What is a COSHH Assessment?An effective COSHH assessment recognises the hazards, evaluates the level of risk and considers appropriate control measures. It should not be a tick box exercise that relies solely on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) produced by the supplier or manufacturer. Whilst the SDS should be consulted and is a valuable source of information, it covers hazards of the substance itself and not hazards generated by the actual activity that involves the substance.

Assess the Task, Not the SubstanceThis will help you identify not only substances that are packaged and labelled, but those that are either generated during the process, such as dusts or fumes, or naturally occurring substances, for example bird droppings or bacteria.

The assessment should consider the form and concentration that the substance is used in, the environment it is used in, the task that is being carried out and how it is being applied. The conditions under which the substance is used can have a large effect on the risk assessment. The same substance may be higher risk when it is used indoors than when it is used outside where the wind will quickly dissipate any fumes or vapours. Therefore a single product may need a number of different COSHH assessments, one for each method of use.

Record and InformOnce the substances and the forms they take have been identified, the significant hazards and the effect they may have on the employee’s health should be recorded. It is a legal requirement to inform the

employee about the hazards presented by the substances they are expected to use and the consequences of exposure.

The manufacturer’s SDS should be referred to if at all possible. SDS’s contain a lot of information about the substance, including the adverse health effects, what to do in an emergency, storage and transportation requirements.

It’s Not Only Users of Substances That May Be at RiskIf fumes, vapour, mist or dust are generated then everyone in the area may be exposed. If flammable or explosive substances are used, then you may need to consider the risk to the general public in addition to employees.

Consideration should also be given to any special “at risk” groups whose health may be disproportionately affected by exposure to the substance. These groups include pregnant and breastfeeding women, young people under 18 or those with certain medical conditions.

Identify All “At Risk” Groups and Detail Control Measures Control measures should detail how to protect these groups and be given in detail, for example, specify a type of glove rather than just state “use

gloves” as a general term. More importantly, control measures that prevent exposure in the first instance, rather than simply reduce exposure, should be prioritised.

Finally, employees should be given the COSHH assessment to read before using the products and informed of the way in which the substance could harm them and the control measures they will have to use. It is therefore necessary to choose a format that is concise, simple to follow and written in plain English. If the assessment is too complicated for employees to understand and implement, then it is not fulfilling its purpose.

Take ActionWhen was the last time your company reviewed your existing COSHH assessments? Take an honest look at them. Are they task specific and take account of the activity and environment that the substances are used in? Are substances generated during your work activities covered? Are your control measures specific and relevant to the routes of entry?

Envesca offers a half day CIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of COSHH course. Our next course is taking place on Thursday 18th August in Gloucester. For further details give us a call on 01452 502686.



Nestling quietly in the famous Cotswold hills, surrounded by some of Gloucestershire’s most delightful countryside is the picture perfect village of Painswick. And it’s in this beautiful location that luxury hotelier Calcot Hotels has recently opened its latest hotel, The Painswick, with the strapline “feasts and the rest”. The landmark Palladian property has been renovated to create 16 luxurious bedrooms and suites, two treatment rooms and a restaurant headed up by chef Michael Bedford.

Calcot Hotels executive chairman Richard Ball is quoted as saying,

We’re extremely excited to have welcomed The Painswick as a notable addition to our collection of hotels. It fits superbly

alongside sister Calcot Hotels.

Calcot Hotels bought the building, previously a hotel, last spring. They then carried out an extensive refurbishment project and have developed a restaurant with rooms that celebrate the building’s artistic style and the artisan feel of Painswick and the Cotswolds.

As other members of Calcot Hotels, including Calcot Manor Hotel & Spa, Barnsley House Hotel, the Lord Crewe Arms and the Village Inn were already Safeguard Members, it was a logical step for The Painswick to follow. This meant that the team were able to focus on renovating the hotel without having to worry about the Health and Safety and Food Safety areas of the business.

Prior to opening, Envesca worked with the team to create a Food Safety and Health and Safety Management System. Vital risk assessments were also carried out including Fire, Legionella and COSHH assessments.

Obviously, a new hotel brings with it a new team, one that requires training. Envesca have provided Food Safety and Health and Safety induction training to all staff members together with Fire Safety training.

Luke Millikin, General Manager at The Painswick, reports that, Before we opened, we wanted to ensure that everyone had a clear understanding of their legal duties and responsibilities under Health

and Safety, Food Safety and Fire Safety regulations. Our guests are our number one priority and it was important that the whole team were confident and fluent with Health and Safety matters right from the beginning. Standard operating procedures are more thorough and robust as a result of the guidance and training received.

The Painswick is undoubtedly a hotel for all seasons. Whatever the weather, its peace and tranquillity make for a wonderful holiday or weekend break, whether you are looking for a cosy log fire set in an original hearth in the winter or a delicious cream tea in Summer.

Like the other hotels in the Calcot Collection, it is already building a reputation for a great location, beautiful interiors, excellent food and most of all, an amazing team!

The Painswick, Kemps Lane, Painswick, Gloucestershire, GL6 6YA www.thepainswick.co.uk | 01452 810170

Customer Spotlight

I am not surprised that you are celebrating this special milestone, I cannot praise you highly enough for your

reliability, good communication and professional approach.

We are proud to have been one of your very first customers. Over the many years that we have been your client there have been a number of organisational changes for Choice Care but you have always remained constant in your support – reacting quickly to requests and adapting to the changing needs of our service.

Whatever the training you have provided, from Food Safety to Health and Safety, from Fire Safety to Handling People, the feedback I receive from staff after attending one of your training events is always positive. Learners always enjoy the course delivery and recognise that the validity of the information is backed up by a recognised training company. This translates to the quality of the service being delivered in the work-place.

Congratulations to you all on 20 years in business and here’s to the next 20.

Georgina Heron | Training and Recruitment Manager | Choice Care



Celebrating 20 Years...Back in 1996, in a small home office in Gloucester, Envesca was launched by husband and wife team Simon and Sue Ellis. Here Sue and Simon share their story and the biggest secret to their success…

With a vision of championing a safe and healthy environment, we set out determined to build a business renowned for the highest quality service.

We wanted to create a positive learning environment that engaged, inspired and encouraged everyone involved and that delivered outstanding results. Fast forward 20 years and it’s these same principles which underpin everything Envesca does.

Envesca now provides award-winning health and safety and food safety consultancy and training services both locally and nationally and offers over 55 courses. The company employs 12 staff and works with around 25 associate trainers and Sue and Simon are still at the helm as Directors.

Over the past 20 years we’ve delivered 8,152 courses, trained 65,216 people and served over 195,137 coffees!

Simon Ellis and Robert Scholefield from Cereform Ltd accepting the CIEH Best Health and Safety Candidate and Training Centre Awards in 2010

Sue and Simon Ellis with Shelley Yates at the House of Commons accepting the CIEH Best Training Centre Awards in 2011

Congratulations on 20 years in business. It’s quite amazing to think that you have been training our staff at various sites

throughout the country for over half of that time!

Over the past 10 years you have helped us to stay compliant in so many areas including Food Safety, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, HACCP, Noise Awareness and Manual Handling.

Whether you are providing training to all our new staff during induction week, teaching existing staff new skills or refreshing the knowledge of staff who have already undergone training with you, you have been able to support us in all areas.

What has been so beneficial during this time is the different cost-effective training options available to us. If we have a large team that require training, whatever site they are located at, you are happy to deliver the training in-house but if we only have one or two people who require a qualification then we can easily book them onto one of your regular open courses.

We look forward to many more years of our successful working partnership.

Wendy Pilipczuk | Health, Safety and Hygiene Coordinator Muller UK & Ireland LLP

Thank you for all your help and support over all the years we have been working together and congratulations on reaching

this milestone. Being a member of their Safeguard Gold Support Service makes my life so much easier because I know Envesca will answer any Health and Safety question I have. In addition, I am meeting all my legal obligations with the Health and Safety Management System that Envesca help me to implement. Their advice and guidance is invaluable and at the same time, they provide all the training that my team require.

Rob Aldridge | General Manager | Egypt Mill Hotel and Restaurant



And Our Amazing Team

Staff past and present, as well as family and friends, recently joined us for an evening of celebration at the Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester. Whilst the evening celebrated 20 years in business, more importantly, it was a salute to all the people who have made it happen and who have been by our side every step of the way.

The last 20 years have been happy and successful years in so many ways and the evening clearly highlighted how Envesca’s success has been defined by a kaleidoscope of memories, supportive partnerships and friendships and enduring relationships. Of course, over the years, there have also been some paths that may have been slightly more difficult to travel through. Yet, due to the loyal service and professionalism of our hard-working team over the years, we have overcome the odd stumbling blocks.

Each member of our team is a talented individual. They are all passionate about their roles and about the success of Envesca and this special evening was our thank you for their commitment, their trust, their hard work and their support.

There is no doubt that together we have all made Envesca what it is today: a success. Together, we have made sure that this award-winning local company celebrates this special milestone. Together, we all look forward to an exciting future with positivity and determination to deliver on the promises the business was founded on.

Celebrating 20 years!

Sue and Simon Ellis with Trish McDermid accepting the Most Loved UK Business, Most Loved Health and Safety Business and Most Loved Business in Gloucester in 2014

You have provided training and support to Cheltenham College, both the senior school and the junior school, for a

considerable number of years now and your service is always exemplary. Being a Safeguard Member provides us with such peace of mind.

Firstly, you have trained the new members of our team, as well as refreshing the knowledge of other members of staff within the catering department. We are confident that our team are highly qualified as they have undergone a combination of public and in-house training courses with you including training in Food Safety, Allergen Awareness, Health and Safety, First Aid, Customer Care, COSHH and Manual Handling.

Secondly, you have supported us in implementing and managing an effective Food Safety Management System as well as ensuring our Health and Safety Manual is updated as our requirements change and develop. The annual inspection ensures our systems and processes are improved on an ongoing basis.

Sue and Simon, you both play such an integral role in the success of Envesca and you have an excellent team behind you. You always deliver training courses and support that’s highly relevant and results in a proven impact on our establishment.

Congratulations on 20 years in business and we look forward to working with you all for many years to come.

Andrew Hailes | Domestic Bursar | Cheltenham College

Sandra Baker joined the Envesca team 12 months ago as one of our Public Booking Co-ordinators. Sandra is an amazing asset to the team and she works incredibly well with her partner in crime and bookings, Shelley Yates. Sandra is also our eLearning guru – so anything to do with eLearning, Sandra is your first point of call!

Sandra confesses to enjoying regular fine dining at Monty’s in Cheltenham. “It’s always a real treat and it’s no wonder the brasserie has been awarded two AA Rosettes”.

One thing most people don’t know about Sandra is that she is a keen follower of the “Tiny House Movement”, a growing group of people who

downsize the space that they live in and enjoy simplified lives as a result. Tiny houses can come in all shapes and sizes and are often very stylish. Sandra says, “I love the idea of the freedom having a home on wheels would give me. What a way to spend your retirement!”

Meet Sandra!



Focus On TrainingWhat’s It About?This three day first aid at work course offers an interactive experience for your employees and provides them with the knowledge and skills required to give effective life support, diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries or illnesses and maintain care and comfort for the casualty.

This course includes everything that is covered on a one day Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work course and also provides further in-depth training in treating a wide range of specific injuries and illnesses.

Who Should Attend?This course is perfect for those staff acting as the recognised first aider at work in companies with a large number of staff, in a higher risk workplace or who work in an environment where there are members of the general public.

In order to establish the first aid

requirement within your business, you are legally obliged to carry out a detailed First Aid Needs Analysis. This risk assessment will help you to identify the level of training your staff require.

Why’s It Important?Having designated first aiders in the workplace is a legal requirement. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 state that employers should provide adequate and appropriate equipment and enough trained first aiders to help injured or ill staff.

Although accidents can be prevented, they can still occur so it’s important to be prepared. Having adequately trained first aid personnel onsite will ensure that if an emergency situation does arise, it will be dealt with in a prompt and effective manner.

If you fail to provide qualified first aiders then you are putting

everyone involved in your business at risk: your employees, your customers and your visitors.

On average, it takes 8 minutes for an ambulance to arrive; the actions that are taken during those eight minutes are critical.

How would you and your staff feel if you just had to stand back and watch, helpless because you didn’t have the first aid knowledge and skills to make a difference?

And how would you feel if you had to tell someone’s family that their loved one died because no one in your business knew what to do?

What Will You Gain?By attending this comprehensive and practical course, your employees will understand their role and responsibilities as a qualified first aider in the workplace as well as the legal requirements for first aid provision.

On returning to the workplace, they will have the confidence to react quickly in response to any type of incident. They will have an in-depth knowledge of the different types of injuries and illnesses that may occur in the workplace and will know what to do and how to treat them.

Sandra in Switzerland Sandra with her CIEH Level 3 Health and Safety Certificate

CIEH Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

Meet Sandra!

We like to use real people, just like YOU in our newsletters and emails. So we need your help. We are looking for customers to take pictures of their staff with their new qualifications. And if you send us your photo you may receive a little gift from us!

Please email any photos to [email protected] or call us on 01452 890327 to arrange for a visit to take a photo.

Achievement Gallery



Apinya Clark | Kingscote Barn LimitedSafeguard Gold Member. Sector: Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism

Marianne Cockburn | Age UKAdvanced Food Hygiene Refresher. Sector: Charitable & Voluntary

Shelley Yates | Envesca LtdCIEH Level 3 Health and Safety. Sector: Training Company

Samuel Wiggall and Peter Hudson | Wildfire Systems LtdCIEH Level 3 Health and Safety. Sector: Computer Systems

Timothy Aston, Beverley Edwards and Mark Robins | Cheltenham CollegeCIEH Level 2 Food Safety. Sector: Schools and Colleges

Forthcoming Training Dates

Envesca, 1st Floor, 5 – 7 Stroud Road, Gloucester GL1 5AA

envesca-limited

01452 890327 • [email protected] • www.envesca.co.uk

BIG

SAVINGS!Save up to 45%

Find out how at

www.envesca.co.uk/

course/offers


July 201611 July

CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety – Gloucester

12 JulyCIEH Level 2 Award in Fire Safety Principles – Swindon

13, 14 JulyCIEH Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Requalification – Gloucester

14, 15, 18 JulyCIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety – Gloucester

20 JulyCIEH Level 2 Award in the Emergency First Aid at Work – Gloucester

25 JulyCIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of Manual Handling – Gloucester

25 JulyCIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety Refresher – Gloucester

26 JulyCIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of Risk Assessment – Gloucester

26 JulyCIEH Level 3 Award in Risk Assessment – Gloucester

27, 28, 29 JulyCIEH Level 3 Award in Fire Safety Risk Assessment and Control – Gloucester

August 20161, 2 August

CIEH Level 3 Award in HACCP – Gloucester

3, 4, 5 AugustCIEH Level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace – Gloucester

15 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work – Gloucester

15, 16, 17 AugustCIEH Level 3 Award in Training Principles and Practice – Gloucester

17, 18, 19 AugustCIEH Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work – Gloucester

18 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of COSHH – Gloucester

22 AugustCIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety Refresher – Gloucester

23 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace – Gloucester

23 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in Fire Safety Principles – Gloucester

24 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety – Gloucester

25 AugustCIEH Level 2 Award in Food Allergen Awareness – Gloucester

September 20161 September

Advanced Food Hygiene Refresher – Gloucester

2 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Environmental Principles and Best Practice - Gloucester

6 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety Refresher – Gloucester

6 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of Manual Handling – Gloucester

7 SeptemberHABC Level 2 Award Customer Service – Gloucester

8 SeptemberHealth and Safety for Directors and Senior Managers – Gloucester

14, 15, 16, 19, 20 SeptemberCIEH Level 3 Award in Education and Training – Gloucester

20 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace – Swindon

21, 27 September and 4 OctoberCIEH Level 3 Award in Food Safety – Gloucester

22 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in the Principles of HACCP – Gloucester

22 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work – Swindon

23 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety – Gloucester

26 SeptemberCIEH Level 1 Award in Nutrition – Gloucester

27 SeptemberCIEH Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work – Gloucester

28, 29, 30 SeptemberCIEH Level 3 Award in Environmental Management – Gloucester

We are continuously updating our dates. Please check our website for the most up-to-date listings.

uk’s leading food safety and health & safety … · prior to opening, envesca worked with the...

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