Safeguarding Your Workforce: A Guide to COSHH and Occupational Health Requirements in the UK

As a business owner or HR professional in the UK, ensuring the health and safety of your employees is paramount. This includes protecting them from exposure to potentially hazardous substances in the workplace, which is where the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 come into play.

Understanding COSHH

COSHH is a vital piece of health and safety legislation that requires employers to take control of risks associated with hazardous substances. These substances can be anything from cleaning chemicals and paints to dusts, fumes, and biological agents. By effectively managing these risks, you can prevent work-related illnesses and create a safer working environment for your team.

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) is a UK law designed to protect employees from exposure to harmful substances in the workplace. It requires employers to assess the risks associated with these substances and implement appropriate control measures to minimise exposure.

Who Must Comply with COSHH Regulations

COSHH regulations apply to all employers in the UK, regardless of the size or nature of their business.

Even small businesses with a few employees must comply with COSHH. Larger businesses with complex operations have more stringent requirements. Those working on their own must also adhere to COSHH regulations.

While most businesses are subject to COSHH, there are a few limited exemptions such as domestic premises as COSHH generally doesn't apply to domestic premises, such as homes. Specific activities, such as the use of hazardous substances for personal use, may be exempt under certain conditions.

It's essential to note that even if your business falls under an exemption, you may still need to comply with other health and safety legislation. If you're unsure whether your business is exempt, it's best to consult with a health and safety expert or occupational health provider such as Latus Group.

Why is COSHH Important?

In 2021, an estimated 12,000 workers in the UK died from lung diseases linked to exposure at work. COSHH aims to keep employees out of harm’s way and reduce the number of work-related injuries and health conditions across the UK.

COSHH is more than just a set of regulations; it's a practical approach to protecting your employees and your business. By understanding and implementing COSHH, you're investing in your workforce's well-being and your company's long-term success.

In short, COSHH is not just about avoiding penalties; it's about creating a better workplace for everyone involved. By investing in COSHH compliance, you're investing in the future of your business.

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. So if you employ anyone who might come into contact with hazardous substances, it’s essential you fully understand the COSHH Regulations and how you can comply and keep your workforce safe from harm.

Which Hazardous Substances are Covered by COSHH?

Before you can meet the COSHH requirements, you need to know what substances to protect your workers from. Hazardous substances can take different forms, including the following:

• Chemicals
• Fumes
• Dust
• Vapour
• Mist
• Nanoparticles
• Gases
• Fibres
• Germs (biological agents, including bacteria and viruses)

Any substance that can cause harm is considered hazardous. These substances can be classified as irritants, corrosives, toxins, or health hazards, depending on the nature of the danger they pose.

Hazardous substances can affect your health when they:

Come into contact with your skin or eyes; are inhaled; are swallowed; or enter your bloodstream through cuts or open wounds.

It's important to be aware that hazardous substances can still enter your body through breaks in the skin.

What do COSHH symbols look like?

• Oxidising: These substances interact with other chemicals and may cause a fire or explosion. Common oxidising substances are oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and halogen elements.
• Compressed Gas: This indicates the gas is stored under pressure. Many people overlook the dangers of compressed gas, but it can be a very hazardous substance. If compressed gas is heated — or if the tank isn’t properly maintained — it may explode. Refrigerated compressed gas can cause cryogenic burns if it comes into contact with the skin.
• Corrosive: These substances will destroy living tissue and other substances if there is contact. It can damage materials and cause severe burns and eye damage.
• Toxic: Toxic materials can damage a person’s health, even at low levels of exposure. If a toxic substance comes into contact with the skin or is inhaled, it may be fatal. Examples of toxic substances include mercury and chlorine gas.
• Health Hazard: This symbol also means “long-term health hazard”. This symbol indicates that a substance might cause serious health issues such as damaged organs, cancer and genetic defects.

Examples of Hazardous Substances

Chemicals: Solvents, acids, alkalis, cleaning agents, pesticides

Dusts: Wood dust, metal dust, silica dust

Fumes: Welding fumes, paint fumes, solvent fumes ?

Biological Agents: Bacteria, viruses, fungi

It's important to note that these are just a few examples of hazardous substances, and there are many others that can be found in the workplace. The specific risks associated with each substance will depend on factors such as exposure level, duration, and individual sensitivity.

By understanding the potential hazards in your workplace and implementing appropriate control measures, you can protect your employees' health and safety.

Key COSHH Responsibilities for Businesses

1. Risk Assessment:

Determine all substances that could pose a health risk, including chemicals, dusts, fumes, and biological agents. Evaluate how employees might be exposed, considering factors like concentration, duration, and frequency, and then determine the potential health effects of exposure, considering factors like toxicity and sensitivity.

2. Control Measures:

The preferred approach is to eliminate hazardous substances entirely or replace them with less harmful alternatives. ?Use equipment like ventilation systems or enclosed chambers to reduce exposure. Implement work practices or procedures to minimize exposure, such as job rotation or limiting exposure time and provide appropriate PPE, like gloves, masks, or protective suits, as a last resort.

3. Information, Instruction, and Training:

Ensure employees are informed about the risks associated with hazardous substances and the control measures in place. Provide training on how to handle hazardous substances safely, including emergency procedures

4. Monitoring and Health Surveillance:

Regularly monitor the workplace environment to assess exposure levels. Conduct health checks on employees exposed to hazardous substances, especially those at high risk.

5. Emergency Procedures:

Develop and implement plans to handle spills, leaks, or accidents involving hazardous substances.

Who Should Carry Out a COSHH Risk Assessment?

Ideally, a COSHH risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person who has a good understanding of the substances involved and the potential risks they pose. This could be a Health and Safety Professional with specific training and experience in health and safety matters; a Line Manager if they have the necessary knowledge and expertise; or enlist a specialist risk assessor to complete the assessment for you.

Do Employee's have COSHH Responsibilities?

Employers bear the primary responsibility for ensuring COSHH compliance. However, employees play a crucial role in maintaining a safe working environment.

Employees should:

• Follow all health and safety procedures and implement COSHH control measures.
• Participate in training and information sessions on risk management.
• Perform tasks with risk prevention in mind.
• Use all provided control equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), as required.
• Maintain a clean and hygienic workplace.
• Help colleagues and contractors stay safe when working with hazardous substances.

By actively participating in workplace safety, employees contribute to a healthier and safer working environment for everyone.

How Can Latus Group help you be COSHH compliant?

Occupational Hygiene:

Latus Group's Spirometry service measures exposure levels of hazardous substances in the workplace to ensure compliance with regulations.

Health Surveillance:

Latus Group's Biological Monitoring conducts tests to assess the internal exposure of employees to certain hazardous substances.

Face Fit Testing

Latus Group's Face Fit Testing ensures the correct fit of RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment). The test utilises the same RPE that will be worn whilst working on the daily task, which ensures the most accurate testing and outcome.

If you'd like to find out more about how Latus Group can assist your company, get in touch with the sales team today www.latusgroup.co.uk/occupational-health-services-event/