COSHH and CLP

Question 1

What is CLP?

Answer 1

CLP

• classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures
• adopts the globally harmonised system

regulation covers the supply of chemicals, including packaging and labelling requirements

Question 2

What is COSHH?

Answer 2

COSHH
- control of substances hazardous to health

looks at the risks to anyone handling or using a chemical
= considers what special arrangements are required to ensure safe handling and appropriate use

it also considers whether special arrangements are required to ensure safe handling and appropriate use.

Question 3

What is Globally Harmonised System?

Answer 3

is a single worldwide system for classifying and communicating the hazardous properties of chemicals

Question 4

What were the key changes in regards to CLP?

Answer 4

a complete new system of hazard classification
new pictograms
- uses pictures or symbols to represent data 
signal words
hazard and precautionary statements 
- replace risk and safety phrases
new labels
new safety data sheets

Question 5

What are the types of classification?

Answer 5

identifies the way chemicals can cause harm

physical hazards
health hazards
environment hazards

Question 6

What are physical hazards?

Answer 6

anything you can touch including:

• explosives, flammable gases, flammable aerosols, oxidising gases, gases under pressure, self reactive substances

Question 7

What are health hazards?

Answer 7

would not necessarily see an immediate issue but could build up over time instead including:

• acute toxicity, skin corrosion or irritation, eye damage, respiratory or skin sensitisation, reproductive toxicity plus additional category for effects on or via lactation, etc.

Question 8

What are environmental hazards?

Answer 8

causes damage to wild life, the ozone layer, etc

includes:
- hazardous to aquatic environment, hazardous to ozone layer

Question 9

What are hazard statements?

Answer 9

statements about the nature of hazard and degree o hazard of the substance

• toxic if swallowed
• cause allergy

Question 10

What are precautionary statements?

Answer 10

brief statement to provide measure to minimise or prevent effects from:

• physical hazards
• health hazards
• environment hazards

wear eye protection
avoid release to environment
in case of inadequate ventilation, water respiratory protection

Question 11

What are the global signal words used?

Answer 11

danger
- used for severe hazards

warning
- used for less severe hazards

Question 12

What labels are required?

Answer 12

supplier information
- name, address and telephone number

product information
- quantity, product identifiers

where applicable
- hazard pictograms, hazard statements, signal words, precautionary statements

child resistant packaging is required for the general public

Question 13

What is REACH? What is its purpose?

Answer 13

reach, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals

• designed to ensure information relating to chemical hazards and safety is passed down the supply chain from manufacturers
• regulates supply of safety data sheets

runs in parallel to classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP)

Question 14

What can be done to prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances?
- COSHH

Answer 14

identify the health hazards
conduct risk assessments
use control measures to reduce harm to health
keeping all control measures in good working order
providing information, training and instruction
monitoring and health surveillance
planning for accidents and emergencies