The Law
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) as amended. Requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. They have to protect employees and others who may be exposed to hazardous substances.
COSHH is also a useful tool of good management that sets eight basic measures that employers, and sometimes employees, must take. These are set out in a simple step-by-step approach, which will help you to assess risks, implement any measures needed to control exposure and establish good working practices.
To comply with COSHH you as employer needs to follow these eight steps:
- Assess the risks to health from hazardous substances used in or created by your workplace activities.
- Decide what precautions are needed You must not carry out work which could expose your employees to hazardous substances without first considering the risks and the necessary precautions, and what else you need to do to comply with COSHH.
- Prevent or adequately control exposure You must prevent your employees being exposed to hazardous substances. Where preventing exposure is not reasonably practicable, then you must adequately control it according to your assessment and to put the appropriate control(s) into place.
- Ensure that control measures are used and maintained Ensure that control measures are used and maintained properly and that safety procedures are followed.
- Monitor and exposure Monitor the exposure of employees to hazardous substances, if necessary.
- Carry out appropriate health surveillance Carry out appropriate health surveillance where your assessment has shown this is necessary or where COSHH sets specific requirements.
- Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving hazardous substances, where necessary.
- Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised Employees should be provided with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.
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