COSHH stands for ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.’ COSHH regulations are the set of laws that are implemented in a workplace where hazardous substances are present. COSHH regulations aim to protect employees from exposure to these dangerous substances. Maintaining COSHH compliance is a legal requirement for all businesses inside the UK. Compliance with COSHH means that if you use any hazardous substances in your workplace, you must understand how to handle them appropriately.
In this blog, we provide a step-by-step guide to achieving COSHH compliance in the workplace.
Where do COSHH regulations apply?
COSHH regulations are a legal requirement in those workplaces where employees may be exposed to dangerous substances while performing their tasks.
Some examples of workplaces that are applicable for COSHH compliance are:
- Manufacturing plants: Workers often encounter chemicals, solvents, and other hazardous substances at work.
- Laboratories: Various hazardous substances, such as acids, alkalis, and solvents, are present in labs. Workers employed in laboratories are obliged to follow COSHH regulations to ensure their safety.
- Construction sites: Workers at construction sites can be exposed to various types of hazardous substances. Dust, Fumes, and Gases are some of the most common hazards found at construction sites.
- Healthcare facilities: Workers such as Doctors, Nurses, and Cleaners in a hospital can come across different types of hazardous substances in their workplace, which they must be careful about. Examples of these dangerous substances include cleaning agents, disinfectants, drugs, and acids.
- Agriculture and Farming: The work of agriculture and farming requires the involvement of pesticides and other dangerous chemicals. These substances can threaten a worker’s health if not managed properly.
- Hair and Beauty Salons: Chemicals such as hair dyes and perming solutions are found in such workplaces.
- Motor vehicle repair shops: Solvents, lubricants, and fuels are some of the harmful materials found in such workplaces.
The Seven Steps to COSHH Compliance
1. Conduct a COSHH Risk Assessment
Conducting a COSHH risk assessment in your workplace is the first step to COSHH compliance. Conducting a risk assessment helps analyze all the hazardous substances stored and used in the workplace. It is vital to remember that not all substances are labeled as unsafe, but they still can threaten your health. The employer of a profession is most likely responsible for carrying out a COSHH risk assessment.
However, suppose the employer does not possess the necessary skills. In that case, a third party can be brought in to conduct the evaluation. Employers can also train their workers to conduct risk assessments through various training courses.
Your COSHH risk assessment should include the following:
- The list of all the hazardous substances present in the workplace.
- Evaluation of the health risks of all dangerous substances
- A list of who may be harmed by it and how
- The level of exposure to each substance
- A record of all control measures that are to be taken
2. Eliminating the Risks
The best safety practice regarding hazardous substances is to eliminate any risks posed by hazardous substances. Employers have different options available to them for controlling the risks. They can either consider avoiding the task involving dangerous substances.
One example is that a cleaner can use mild soap and water solution for cleaning rather than using bleach. This would put him under less threat from the hazardous substance. In other cases, the work could be changed to remove the need to use a poisonous substance.
However, an employer must train employees to become competent enough to handle minor risks by themselves. Such as for a person working in Laboratories should be qualified and trained to handle hazards such as spilling acid on the floor. If not, then it is the responsibility of a higher-up to provide training to the employees so they can manage such minor risks by themselves.
The employer should provide their workers with learning courses such as spillage kits for bodily fluids. These courses educate the workers on competence to perform minor tasks such as cleaning and handling hazardous liquids in the workplace. So they and other colleagues could be protected from further harm.
3. Implementing control measures
Based on the risk assessment findings, employers must put in control measures to manage the associated risk. Employers should prioritize installing control measures where the threat is more significant.
Implementing control measures should include the following:
- Elimination: Removing a high-level hazardous substance in the workplace and replacing it with a less dangerous substance.
- Substitution: Replacing the hazardous substance from work tasks and using another non-hazardous substitute.
- Administrative control: Changing how the work is carried out so that there is no exposure to hazards.
- PPE: Personal protective equipment for workers’ safety. PPE includes respiratory masks, gloves, safety glasses, etc.
4. Review control measures
It is equally important to review all the control measures to ensure they are still effective. Reviews must be conducted occasionally, with changes in work processes, or if any new hazard or substance is introduced. Reviewing would help identify any potential problems with the control measures.
Employers must also check their COSHH risk assessments and control measures regularly to ensure that they remain effective and up to date.
5. Conduct Health Surveillance
An employer should regularly assess the physical health of its employees. Performing health surveillance includes checking that employees have not developed skin conditions or other respiratory problems. To prevent diseases from occurring or spreading in the victim’s body. Health surveillance should be performed by a professional such as a doctor or nurse.
6. Developing emergency procedures
Despite having effective control measures in your workplace, accidents can still happen. Employers should ensure that the professional teams should be prepared and react accordingly if an emergency occurs. An employer can assign roles to different competent employees to report and take safety measures accordingly during an emergency.
7. Training
Training plays a vital role in compliance with COSHH regulations. It provides an individual with the knowledge and practical experience to perform a specific job or role. The same is the case with COSHH compliance, online COSHH training courses will help you learn how to show compliance with COSHH regulations effectively.
Furthermore, COSHH training provides awareness regarding workplace hazards, the associated risks, and how to implement and follow safety procedures. It is as crucial for an employer to provide COSHH training courses to their workers so that they can effectively perform their duties and comply with the regulations.
Importance for COSHH compliance:
Protecting employee health: The primary purpose of the COSHH regulations is to protect employees from exposure to hazards. Compliance with COSHH regulations guarantees that employees are aware of the risks associated with the dangers and that control measures are in place to manage them.
1. Legal obligations
It is a legal requirement to comply with COSHH regulations in many countries. By complying with COSHH, you, as an employer, can save the organization from unwanted fines, legal actions, and reputational damage.
2. Improves productivity
A safe and healthy workplace contributes to employee morale and productivity. When an employee would feel safe while working, they will be able to concentrate more and produce better output.
3. Reputation
Compliance with COSHH regulations can also help protect a firm’s reputation. Suppose your firm is known for taking health and safety seriously. In that case, it is more likely to be favored by customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
4. Cost savings
COSHH compliance can lead to cost savings in the long run. A safe and secure environment means fewer accidents would occur, which means no or fewer worker injuries. Fewer injuries in the workplace would save the firm from insurance premiums, medical costs, and compensational claims of the workers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, achieving COSHH compliance in the workplace is a crucial process that requires planning, implementation, and reviews. It is an employer’s sole responsibility to ensure that their organization complies with COSHH. This blog has provided a detailed overview of what workplaces require COSHH compliance and how they can do so. With the seven steps mentioned, you, as an employer, can learn and implement this guidance in your workplace to ensure compliance.
It is essential to understand that COSHH regulations are there for your and your employees’ safety. It is not only a legal obligation but compliance with it will give out numerous benefits to your organization. By implementing the control measures outlined in this guide, employers can create a safer working environment and improve employee morale and productivity.
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