You must assess all the substances that are involved with your work activity, identify those that are hazardous and then decide what actions need to be taken to prevent, or control the exposure of persons to them. This should only be done by a competent person who:
understands the regulations and any relevant guidance
has knowledge of and understands the work processes involved
is familiar with the principles of hazard identification and risk assessment. The person carrying out the assessment will have to consider, not just how a substance is used, but how it is stored or handled and whether substances, e.g. hazardous fumes, are given off from any process carried on in the business. The assessor will have to have all the necessary information, training and knowledge available. They can be in house? or where special circumstances exist, may have to be a suitable specialist consultant.
The assessment should identify?
What is the known effect of the substance on a person?
What are the known long and short term effects on that person?
How the substance is used, who by and for how long?
Is the substance already officially recognised as toxic, irritant, corrosive or harmful with a maximum exposure limit and, if so, is this being exceeded?
Are any existing precautions being taken and how effective are these?
If these precautions fail, what exposure is likely to occur?
If there is an accidental spillage, what exposure is likely and to whom?
Prevention
You may establish that you no longer have a use for the substance.
Stop ordering any more and arrange for safe disposal of any remains.
Ask your supplier for a safer alternative for the substance.
If there are substances remaining as part of your work activity, you must obtain all the information about them that you can. This can be from labels or a Hazard Data Sheet, which the supplier must provide you with. Other guidance can be obtained from health and safety books, trade associations, etc. When
deciding on your method of control, you should regard the use of personal protective equipment as the last resort. The proper guidance, will give you advice on the correct control methods for each substance.
Once I have done an assessment can I forget about it
No, the regulations require that the situation be regularly reviewed or whenever the initial assessment is no longer valid, e.g. when new substances are brought into the work activity. There may be instances where you have identified a hazard, but cannot find suitable information on what steps to take for example.
Where two substances are likely to be accidentally mixed together.
If potential release of a toxic gas, ammonia in some refrigeration plant.
Use of pesticides, e.g. on golf courses or commercial gardens.
Disease causing organisms, e.g. Hepatitis or Legionella in water services. In these cases you may require further expertise such as an independent health and safety consultant, doctor, veterinary surgeon or advice from the Health and Safety Executive, or the Council?s Health and Safety Team.
What do I have to tell Employees
All employees must be given information, instruction and training regarding the nature and risk to health of substances that they use and the precautions that they must take to prevent them being exposed to these risks.
There are further more specific requirements in the regulations, e.g. maintenance of records and health surveillance where employees are exposed to certain substances.
Harmful micro-organisms are also covered by the regulations, as they can cause illness e.g. Legionnaire's Disease. This illness is contracted by breathing in a fine spray of airborne water containing the bacteria. The condition begins with a high fever, chills and headache with Pneumonia following and can be fatal.
It can result from poorly maintained re-circulating hot water systems, particularly where aerosols are formed. These systems can be air conditioning, cooling towers, industrial sprays or even showers. Adopting simple precautions reduces risk and they are based on preventative maintenance, cleaning and disinfection, design of systems, alteration of operating conditions and replacement of fixtures. There is a requirement on a person in control of premises, with certain plant (wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers) to register with the local authority. Further information can be obtained from the Health & Safety Team.
The risk of other types of occupational disease such as Hepatitis or Dermatitis should also be included in the COSHH assessment where appropriate.
Click below to view a copy of the regulations: