What does COSHH stand for?
COSHH stands for the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health.
What is COSHH?
COSHH is a set of different regulations which should be put in to place which aims to protect all employers and employees working with hazardous materials and substances. There is a wide range of industries where hazardous substances might be stumbled across in any way, including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, childcare, education, construction and many more.
What are the Regulations regarding COSHH?
Sounding like any other regulation that just needs to be adhered to, The Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 has been in effect as of November 2002.
These laws call for all employers to protect their workers from any danger caused by hazardous substances and materials through different types of methods; such as:
- Risk Assessment (Regulation 6)
- Prevention and Control of Exposure (Regulation 7)
- Implementing and Use of Control Measures (Regulation 8)
- Maintenance, exam and testing (Regulation 9)
- Monitoring Exposure in the Workplace (Regulation 10)
- Health Surveillance (Regulation 11)
- Providing COSHH information, trainings and instructions (Regulation 12)
- Planning for accidents, incidents and emergency and response (Regulation 13)
What is the COSHH Legislation?
This is a law which has been put in place close to the end of the year in 2002, therefore understanding and thoroughly applying COSHH regulations in the workplace is mandatory.
These regulations apply to both employers and employees.
As COSHH is a legal requirement across the UK and failing to comply may result in credibility loss, patient or client loss, legal action or even financial repercussions as well as individual or company brand tarnishment.
What substances and substance categories does COSHH cover?
-Chemicals (or products containing chemicals)
-Mixtures
-Dust
-Gases
-Fumes
-Biological agents
What are the three primary substances that are NOT covered by COSHH and why?
-Lead
-Asbestos
-Radioactive Substances
Due to having separate and additional regulations to apply by, employers and employees working with lead, asbestos and radioactive substances will not be covered by the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
What is a COSHH Assessment?
A legal obligation as an Employer is to reduce potential risks to your employees and their health. Including in this responsibility would be to implement a COSHH Assessment which include 5 Steps:
Step 1. Hazard Identification
Step 2: Identify whom is exposed and evaluate health risks
Step 3: Decide on Control Measures
Step 4: Implement Control Measures
Step 5: Personal Protective Equipment
These assessments need to be monitored often and may vary from each company and working environment.
What is the importance of COSHH Hazard Symbols?
Getting acquainted with these symbols is of utmost importance. In 2017, COSHH has replaced the old orange square symbols (which started to be phased out since 2009), with Red and Black Diamond Symbols, namely:
- Explosives – Symbol: Bomb Exploding
- Flammable – Symbol: Open Flame
- Oxidising – Symbol: Open flame over a circle
- Gases under pressure – Symbol: Gas Cylinder
- Corrosive – Symbol: Corrosion on hands and surface
- Toxic – Symbol: Skull and Bones
- Health Hazards – Symbol: Exclamation Mark
- Serious Health Hazards – Symbol: Internal Damage
- Dangerous for the environment – Symbol: a Dead tree and fish
Just a note:
Doing an online COSHH (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health) Course with Train Healthcare, which takes approximately 1 hour to complete, will earn you 1 CPD Point. Once you have completed the course, you would receive a certificate thereof.
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