HSE acronyms explained: COSHH

Does the term COSHH leave you scratching your head? Don’t worry, we can explain it. It refers to the legal requirement in the UK to protect your workers from materials that cause ill health. COSHH are the regulations in place for this, and it stands for:

Control

Of

Substances

Hazardous to

Health.

What is a harmful substance?

Harmful substances can be powders, liquids or gels that could come into contact with your skin. It also includes fumes, dusts or gases that can be breathed in. In many cases these substances can be used safely, as long as they are controlled, and of course, used properly.

The COSHH Regulations 2002 ensure that workers are protected from unnecessary ill-health. Some substances, whilst very harmful, are not included in COSHH as they have their own specific regulations. These are asbestos, lead and radioactive materials.

Who does COSHH apply to?

Ultimately, if your business deals with any harmful substance then it applies to you (unless your harmful substance is one of those listed above, with their own regulations). The onus is on you to keep your staff safe and there are ways in which to do this effectively, as detailed below.

What must you do?

You can prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous substances by:

• Carrying out a COSHH assessment to identify the hazards and identify how to prevent harm to health.
• Using control measures to reduce harm to health.
• Monitoring to ensure they are used and continue to be in good working order.
• Ensuring workers are adequately trained and have access to information and instructions.
• Planning for emergencies.

In the news

Last year, a Yorkshire-based stonemasonry firm was ordered to pay fines of nearly £20,000. This came after The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined they caused “irreversible, life-changing and often fatal respiratory conditions” by failing to protect their workers from fine stone dust at their site.

In this case, the HSE had issued seven improvement notices, five of which were not addressed in an adequate time. The HSE stated that “The provision of suitable protection for worker’s health is a basic requirement that this company has failed to meet.”

Helping you take control

Whilst it is ultimately your responsibility to keep your business and workers healthy and safe, doing so might seem like a daunting task. That’s where we come in. We are one call away from being the expert to lean on to make sure you comply with the COSHH Regulations 2002.

Here at The Health & Safety Dept we’re on hand to help your business take control of harmful and hazardous substances and keep your staff safe. Our expertise ensures that your business can meet the COSHH Regulations 2002 in a straightforward, hassle-free way.

Our expert staff are on hand to carry out COSHH risk assessments and tailor all guidance for your business. As well as the initial COSHH risk assessment we can also provide additional support, whether that be advising on protective equipment, providing training or creating emergency plans. Reach out today to get started.