COSHH Practical

Question 1

What does COSHH stand for ?

Answer 1

Control
Of
Substances
Hazardous
Health

Question 2

Define the term “risk”

Answer 2

a measure of how great the chance of harm is if exposed to the hazard

Question 3

Describe the hierarchy of lab safety:

Answer 3

PPE
Administrative controls
Engineering controls
Substitution
Elimination

PPE least effective, Elimination most effective

Question 4

Describe the COSHH risk assessment steps:

Answer 4

Evaluate the risks to health arising from the use of hazardous substances in the work activity

Decide on precautions and control measures are necessary to minimise the risk and then implement them

Ensure control measures are used and maintained.

Monitoring exposure of workers

Consider whether health surveillance is appropriate or required

Ensure employees have sufficient information, instruction and training to perform the work safely and competently including safe disposal

Ensure there is in place adequate procedures to deal with emergency situations

Question 5

Where can you find chemical information ?

Answer 5

Safety data sheets
Chemical company data bases

Question 6

What are workplace exposure limits

Answer 6

WELs;
- set in order to help protect the health of workers
- it is the legal limit of the substance in the air
- the absence of a WEL for a substance does not indicate that exposure is safe

Question 7

What are STELs ?

Answer 7

Short-term exposure limits (STELs) are set to help prevent effects such as eye irritation, which may occur following exposure for a few minutes

Question 8

What is a TWA and the 2 types ?

Answer 8

Concentrations of hazardous substances in the air, averaged over a specified period of time, referred to as a time-weighted average (TWA)
Short term - 15 minutes
Long term - 8 hours

Question 9

What is the risk matrix equation and its purpose ?

Answer 9

Hazard severity x risk likelihood

Assess the risk PRIOR to control measures
Assess the risk AFTER control measures
The AIM is to REDUCE the Risk Rating
The chemicals and their hazard rating remains the same however the measures put in place results in a lowered risk

Question 10

Describe the COSHH Regulations:

Answer 10

Law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health by preventing or reducing exposure

Finding out what the health hazards are in the workplace

Preventing harm to health by doing a COSHH risk assessment

Providing control measures to reduce harm to health

Keeping control measures in good working order (maintenance)

Providing training and
information

Providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases

Planning for emergencies