According to the International Labour Organisation, hazardous substances are estimated to be the cause of 651,279 deaths among workers annually. This staggering figure underscores the need for comprehensive COSHH risk assessments, a crucial step in safeguarding workers’ well-being.
COSHH, or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, encapsulates the regulations and practices designed to protect individuals from hazardous substances encountered in the workplace. It spans various chemicals, dust, fumes, biological agents, and more, posing risks to health when not managed effectively. A hazardous substances risk assessment involves identifying, evaluating, and controlling these substances to mitigate potential harm.
COSHH assessments serve as a critical framework for preventing health ailments, workplace accidents, and legal non-compliance. Employers shoulder the ethical and legal responsibility to ensure a secure work environment, addressing potential hazards effectively. Adopting technological aids like digital apps for COSHH risk assessments streamlines regular checks, aiding in hazard identification and prompt action, further bolstering workplace safety.
- Why are COSHH Risk Assessments Important?
- Steps Involved in a COSHH Risk Assessment
- Hazardous Substances that Need COSHH Assessment
- Who Needs to Perform a COSHH Risk Assessment?
- What are the COSHH Symbols and their Meanings?
- What is the Difference Between SDS and COSHH?
- Simplify COSHH Assessment with a COSHH Software & App
- Free COSHH Assessment Templates
- Other Risk Assessment Templates
Why are COSHH Risk Assessments Important?
Here are the primary reasons why you need a COSHH risk assessment:
- Protecting Worker Health: COSHH risk assessment ensures a thorough understanding of the substances used, their risks, and necessary precautions, preventing acute and long-term health issues.
- Preventing Workplace Accidents: Neglecting COSHH assessments heightens the risk of accidents. Understanding substance properties and exposure limits mitigates accidents like spills, inhalation risks, or chemical reactions, enhancing overall workplace safety.
- Legal Implications: Failing to comply may lead to fines, legal action, or even closure due to endangering employee safety and violating health and safety regulations.
- Regulatory Mandates: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mandates employers to manage hazardous substances effectively. COSHH regulations cover a broad spectrum, from traditional chemicals to nanomaterials, spanning various industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and construction.
- Data-Driven Control Measures: A comprehensive assessment provides crucial data for implementing tailored control measures. This includes substance properties, health impacts, exposure limits, quantity, and surveillance results.
Steps Involved in a COSHH Risk Assessment
Listed below are the steps involved in a COSHH risk assessment:
- Identification of hazardous substances
- Assessment of risks
- Determining exposed individuals
- Implementing control measures
- Regular review and maintenance
Hazardous Substances that Need COSHH Assessment
COSHH assessments categorize substances into two types: generic and specific. Generic assessments cover widely used substances with known hazards, while specific assessments delve into less familiar or situation-specific substances, often needing specialist input for detailed evaluation.
According to HSE, the following substances are hazardous to health, mandating a COSHH risk assessment:
- Chemicals: Substances like solvents, acids, alkalis, and pesticides along with products containing these chemicals warrant assessment due to their potential health risks.
- Dust: Wood dust and silica dust generated from various industrial processes pose respiratory threats, necessitating thorough assessment for exposure control.
- Fumes: Welding fumes and soldering fumes, often containing harmful particulates and gases, require assessment to mitigate respiratory hazards.
- Biological Agents: Bacteria, viruses, and molds in lab settings or healthcare facilities need assessment to prevent infections and health risks to workers.
- Mists and Vapors: Inhalation of mists and vapors, often encountered in industrial processes or cleaning activities, can pose health risks that require careful assessment.
- Gases and Asphyxiating Gases: Hazardous gases like chlorine or carbon monoxide, as well as asphyxiating gases, demand assessment due to their severe health impact and potential fatalities.
Who Needs to Perform a COSHH Risk Assessment?
Employers are responsible for carrying out COSHH risk assessments to identify and control the risks posed by hazardous substances in the workplace. This includes identifying all hazardous substances used or produced in the workplace, assessing the risks they pose to workers’ health, and implementing appropriate control measures. Listed below are some examples of substances that need a COSHH risk assessment:
- Chemicals: Such as cleaning agents, solvents, and pesticides
- Fumes: Generated from welding, soldering, or chemical reactions
- Vapors: Emitted by paints, adhesives, and certain fuels
- Dust: Arising from construction materials, woodwork, or certain manufacturing processes
- Gases: Compressed gases or refrigerants used in various industries
- Biological Agents: Germs or microorganisms causing diseases
What are the COSHH Symbols and their Meanings?
Understanding the COSHH symbols provided by the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals Regulation (GB CLP) is crucial for enhancing worker safety through effective communication. Familiarizing oneself with these symbols can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses.
The table below highlights the symbols and their meanings.
Symbols | Meanings |
Explosives | Indicates substances that may explode under certain conditions, posing a significant risk of injury or damage. |
Flammable | Represents materials that can catch fire easily and sustain combustion, leading to fire hazards. |
Oxidizing | Indicates chemicals that promote combustion by providing oxygen or other oxidizing agents, increasing fire hazards. |
Gas Under Pressure | Denotes substances stored under pressure, which can lead to explosive ruptures or cause physical hazards if mishandled. |
Corrosive | Indicates substances that cause severe damage or destruction to living tissues upon contact, posing serious health risks. |
Toxic | Represents materials that, when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, can cause severe health issues or even death. |
Harmful/Irritant | Denotes substances causing mild irritation upon contact but can result in harmful effects upon prolonged exposure or in large quantities. |
Serious Health Hazards | Represent chemicals that pose chronic health risks or can cause serious long-term damage to health. |
Environmental Hazards | Indicates substances posing risks to the environment, such as aquatic life, soil, or vegetation. |
What is the Difference Between SDS and COSHH?
SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and COSHH both contribute to workplace safety but focus on different aspects. Let’s see how.
SDS | COSHH | |
Purpose | It provides detailed information about the hazards of individual substances. | It regulates the assessment and control of hazardous substances in the workplace. |
Focus | Chemical composition, physical properties, toxicological effects, and safety precautions. | Identification of hazards, risk assessment, control measures, and training. |
Role in workplace safety | It provides essential information for understanding the hazards of substances. | It provides a structured framework for managing the risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace and protecting worker health. |
Simplify COSHH Assessment with a COSHH Software & App
Digitization has transformed how assessments are handled, and GoAudits is a valuable tool for simplifying COSHH compliance. The GoAudits safety inspection app makes COSHH risk assessments seamless, offering streamlined data entry, easy evidence attachment, and error reduction.
The GoAudits COSHH software offers you the following and more:
- Mobile Inspections: No more paper forms. Record everything on your phone or tablet, even without the internet. Take pictures, and write notes – all in one place.
- Instant Reports: Make quick, professional reports. See what’s causing problems and how often they happen. It helps you spot risks easily.
- Corrective Actions: When you find a problem, assign corrective actions to fix it. Keep an eye on progress and save proof of what’s been done.
Free COSHH Assessment Templates
With GoAudits, you can complete health and safety assessments from anywhere, at any time. Here are a few COSHH risk assessment templates to get you started:
👉 Useful Resources: Free & Customizable Checklists
Other Risk Assessment Templates
COSHH assessments are a form of risk assessment designed to identify and assess hazards linked to the handling of hazardous materials. COSHH zooms in on risky materials, while regular risk assessments look at all hazards. In addition to COSHH assessment templates, the risk checklists below help in developing comprehensive control measures to reduce risks and ensure workplace safety for both employees and customers.
- Chemical Risk Assessment
- Monthly Manufacturing Risk Assessment Checklist
- Fire Hazard Checklist Inspection
- Fire Risk Assessment Checklist
- Fire Risk Assessment Form
- Monthly Fire Safety Inspection
- Fire Hazard Inspection
- Fire Alarm Inspection
- Fire Safety Inspection
- Chemical Risk Assessment
- Workplace Hazard Assessment Checklist
- Chemical Substance COSHH Assessment Template
- Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspection
- NFPA 25 Water Storage Tanks Inspection
- NFPA 25 Fire Pump Inspection
- Fire Safety Compliant Checklist
- Fire Door Inspection Checklist
- Fire Pump Inspection Report
- Workplace Fire Safety Checklist
- Fire Protection Equipment Checklist
- Fire Testing Checklist
- Smoke Detector Inspection Checklist
- Fire Drill Checklist
Digitally conducting COSHH assessments and health and safety audits offers multiple advantages: saves time and money, improves information access, and better manages workplace hazards. Switching to digital systems fulfills legal obligations and makes your work environment safer and more efficient.