COSHH

Question 1

What does the abbreviation ‘COSHH’ stand for?

Answer 1

Control of Substances Hazardous to (Human) Health

Question 2

What substance does COSHH cover? Give examples.

Answer 2

COSH is aimed to cover hazardous substances at work. This includes chemicals, biological agents, dust, fumes, vapours, allergens including lab animal agents

Question 3

What does COSHH not cover because they have their own regulations?

Answer 3

COSHH does not cover asbestos, lead, radiation. High pressures or extremes of temperature, biological agents outside employers control

Question 4

What is the duty of the employer under COSHH?

Answer 4

To eliminate or reduce risk from hazardous substances.

Question 5

How does the employer demonstrate that they are complying with COSHH?

Answer 5

Risk assessment, control measures, monitoring health and exposure if necessary, information, training and supervision.

Question 6

What are the duties of the employer under COSHH?

Answer 6

• Take reasonable care of out own safety and not endanger others
• Cooperate in full with the employer
• Make full and proper use of control measures

Question 7

What is the first step before performing a COSHH in a risk assessment?

Answer 7

Identify al the hazardous substances for example chemicals, biological materials, mixtures, reaction products

Question 8

Why do we need to consider who will be exposed?

Answer 8

Is it staff or students? We need to be able to consider their current training (if any) and their background. There is a difference between someone with zero training and someone with a lot of training.

Question 9

How might somebody be at risk?

Answer 9

From inhalation, ingestion, injection, skin or eye contamination

Question 10

What are the factors to consider for a substance?

Answer 10

Toxicity, form (gas, liquid, spray), solubility, nature of operation, length of exposure, number of people involved.

Question 11

How do you decide the suitability of control measures?

Answer 11

Control measurements put in place in proportion to risk

Question 12

Where does using PPE as the prime means rank in the hierarchy of control?

Answer 12

It is a last resort. You are protected but other staff and students are not.

Question 13

Give examples of some control measures

Answer 13

• Replace the substance with a safer alternative
• Use material in a safer form
• Control the operation by isolating the work and controlling at the source
• Personal protective equipment should be used as a last resort
• Good laboratory techniques (labelling, correct substance storage, balance)

Question 14

How do we ensure the maintenance of control measures?

Answer 14

Must be kept in good order and working properly. Regular simple checks should be made on the airflow, LEV, fume cupboards. Records must be kept for 5 years in case of a safety audit in which paper work needs to be able to be traced.

Question 15

When do we need to be able to monitor exposure?

Answer 15

• There is a serious work risk if control fails
• Exposure limits may be exceeded
• Control measures may not be working properly

Question 16

When do we need to implement health surveillance?

Answer 16

Significant exposure of Schedule 6 processes or where there is likelihood of exposure to specific substances and there is the possibility of disease or an effect which can be monitored

Question 17

What is needed to derive safe working procedures?

Answer 17

Preparation phase (weighing out), process itself, safe waste disposal, emergency procedures in case of spillage, fire, first aid.

Question 18

What is involved in training?

Answer 18

Workers must have adequate information, instruction, training, supervision. This will include the procedures themselves and what to do in an emergency

Question 19

What is the final stage of COSHH?

Answer 19

Checking and reviewing the implemented procedures.