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Hazardous Substances
Under COSHH employers are required to control exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, to protect both employees and others who may be exposed from work activities. Employers must know what hazardous substances are used, the risks to health, and any precautions and controls measures that must be put in place. They must ensure that employees are properly trained and/or supervised when dealing with hazardous substances.
Hazardous Substances are defined as any substances which can cause ill-health, and are normally classified as dangerous to health under the Chemicals (Hazard, Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (CHIP). They are supplied in packages carrying warning labels and should be accompanied by material safety data sheets (MSDS). By law, manufacturers and suppliers are required to provide appropriate health and safety information. In addition, substances with an Occupational Exposure Limit (WEL), as listed in HSE document EH40, come under the regulations.
- Hazardous components may be
identified as;
- those labelled as 'dangerous' on the packaging
- those produced ‘in house’ at a concentration specified in EH40
- any other substance which has comparable hazard to health
- biological agents, but only if directly connected with work or if exposure is incidental to work, i.e. in health care & farming.
- Possible sources;
- materials used directly, e.g. paints, solvents, cleaning materials
- by-products of work activities, e.g. dusts, fumes, waste products
- naturally occurring, e.g. fungal spores.
