HEALTH & SAFETY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES HANDLING
What hazardous substances are covered by COSHH? The substances covered by COSHH can be divided into broader categories, such as: 1. Chemicals 2. Products containing chemicals 3. Fumes 4. Dust 5. Vapours 6. Mists 7. Nanotechnology 8. Gasses and asphyxiating gasses 9. Biological agents (germs – If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols, then it is classed as a hazardous substance)
of your employees. Every year, hazardous substances increase the risks of adverse health effects among workers, and you need to ensure you protect your staff from these risks. Poor health can significantly
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increase absenteeism within your practice and potentially decrease your profits. Not to mention the impact accidents have on morale, productivity and even staff retention. That’s why health and safety is so
important in the workplace, and why Croner will be discussing their advice for staying safe and compliant. If you need immediate advice on how
to handle COSHH or want to gain a better understanding of health regulations, get in touch with one of Croner’s health and safety experts on 0844 561 8133
What is COSHH? COSHH stands for ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health’ and is required by law. COSHH regulations require an employer to control these substances. A COSHH risk assessment concentrates
on hazardous substances and highlights areas where control measures are needed to keep employees and other people safe. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
Substances not covered by COSHH 1. Lead 2. Asbestos 3. Radioactive substances
s an employer, you have a legal obligation to protect the health and well-being
(COSHH, 2002), the law requires employers to either prevent, reduce, or at the very least, control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health for their workers. It is therefore an extremely broad
yet detailed piece of legislation and will be different for every business. There are several substances that can be harmful to employees, and the list is too exhaustive for even the Health and Safety Executive to fully define.
Why is COSHH important? Workers could suffer from lung disease, cancer, and skin disease because of exposure to chemical substances. These diseases cost millions of Pounds each year to society, industry, and of course, the individuals affected. The COSHH Regulations aim to keep
your team out of harm’s way and reduce the number of work-related injuries and health conditions across the UK. Breaching these regulations puts
your workers at risk of harm and ill health, and non-compliance is also a crime that could result in prosecution. By following the COSHH Regulations,
a company can save money and be more effective by not having to replace trained workers – improving productivity and cutting waste. Ensuring that workers stay healthy can also lead to healthy profits. Good health is good business.
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These hazardous substances have their own set of specific regulations and control measures that employers must follow.
What are COSHH symbols? There are many COSHH signs and symbols you need to be aware of. Some of them are common, whereas you’ll only find others in certain work environments. You can identify these symbols
by the red diamond frame and black picture at the centre. Recognising COSHH signs and
understanding their meanings is crucial to keeping your staff safe. And ensuring they’re aware of the relevant dangers at work.
Responsibilities COSHH health and safety legislation requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to employee health and anyone who comes to your premises. Control measures must be implemented
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