Whilst it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure a COSHH assessment is carried out, they may not actually write the assessment themselves. Large organisations often have an individual or a team or a team employed who is responsible for health and safety. Smaller companies may appoint a ‘competent person’ who can assist and advise on these matters. The person must have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the assessment properly, as well as a good understanding of hazard and risk.

Safety data sheets are important documents that assist in the safe handling and use of chemicals and other hazardous substances. Data safety sheets provide key information on how to store and handle hazardous substances and identify the properties of a particular substance that may cause harm. They also detail emergency measures that would need to be taken in the event of an accident, for example first aid measures and fire-fighting measures. The data safety sheet forms the basis of a COSHH risk assessment, but is not the same thing.

A COSHH assessment should be reviewed at least annually, or every time a relevant change is made within the work environment. For example, they should be reviewed if there are any reasons to believe the original assessment is no longer valid, such as reports are received from supervisors that there are defects in control systems, or new substances are introduced to the workplace or being produced by the workplace. If you have any reason to think your COSHH assessment may need to be updated, it’s vital to check.

All employees must have access to both the COSHH assessment and relevant data sheets for all substances that they work with or around that are hazardous to health.

It is necessary for employers to provide employees with comprehensive information about the risks, hazards and controls measures relating to hazardous substances. They must also provide training and instruction in order for the employee to be able to use the control measures.

All providers/ suppliers of substances are required to hold the relevant information to allow for COSHH assessments to be made. Employers should source this information from their suppliers for all substances they utilise at work.

More information about hazardous substances can be found on the UK Government Health and Safety Executive’s website.

Hazard pictograms alert us to the presence of hazardous substances. They help us identify chemicals that could cause harm to people and the environment. Examples are:

• Explosives: These are chemicals and preparations that may explode, due to being unstable or if exposed to fire, blast or projection.
• Flammable: Chemicals that may catch fire in contact with air, with brief exposure to ignition source or develop flammable gases due to exposure with water.
• Oxidising: Chemicals or preparations that react exothermically with other chemicals.
• Gas under pressure: Gas stored under pressure, such as in gas containers. May explode if heated or, if refrigerated gas, may cause cryogenic burns.
• Corrosive: Chemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact.
• Toxic. Chemicals that at very low levels can cause damage to health if swallowed, inhaled or come into contact with skin.
• Health hazard: Chemicals that may cause damage to health such as drowsiness, skin irritation or eye irritation, or is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or comes into contact with skin.
• Serious health hazard: Chemicals that can cause severe or long term health damage, for example organ damage, fertility damage, cancer, genetic defects, asthma, allergy or damage to an unborn child.
• Dangerous for the environment: Chemicals that may cause immediate or delayed damage to the environment, for example aquatic life.