The RCT Source

Locking up cleaning chemicals is a sensible measure, particularly if vulnerable people, such as those with learning difficulties or children, would otherwise get hold of them.

The COSHH Regulations require that anyone who carries out an assessment is ‘competent’ to do so.                               

For low risk situations, such as an assessment of products used by cleaners, then the supervisor will probably be able to do one without any specific training by following advice given in the products’ safety data sheets.

For more complex situations, such as where very toxic substances are present, training on the risks associated with the substances and necessary control measures may very well be necessary.

In situations involving hazardous bacteria, such as legionella, outside expertise may be required. 

Yes.

Employees must be provided with information about the hazards, risks and control measures, and instruction and training to use the control measures.

No.

To review the assessment does not mean that the whole risk assessment process has to be repeated.

The first purpose of the review is to see if the existing assessment is still suitable and sufficient and, if it is, you do not need to do any more.

If it appears that the assessment is no longer valid, then only those parts of the assessment that do not reflect the new situation will need revising.

• gather information about the hazardous properties of the substances, the work and the working practices (find out what the problems are);
• evaluate the risks to health;
• decide on the necessary measures to comply with Regulations 7-13 of COSHH;
• record the assessment;
• decide when the assessment needs to be reviewed.

If a substance is dangerous for supply, the supplier must send you a safety data sheet when the product is first ordered, if the formulation changes or if you ask for a sheet.

The assessment should be reviewed:

• even if there is no change in the situation, on a regular basis to prevent gradual change over a period of time going unnoticed and the assessment becoming unsuitable and insufficient by default;
• immediately if there is any reason to suppose that the original assessment is no longer valid, e.g. reports from supervisors about defects in control systems; or
• immediately if any of the circumstances of the work should change significantly, and especially one which may affect employees’ exposure to a hazardous substance.

Yes.

Obtaining safety data sheets (SDS) is only the first stage in the risk assessment process.

Although the SDS will give information on the hazardous properties of the substance, any health effects associated with its use, how likely it is to get into the air or onto the skin, and what risk reduction measures should be used to control exposure to an acceptable level, it will not be specific to any particular workplace and cannot take into account the particular environment of your workplace.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.

A substance hazardous to health is a substance or preparation (mixture) with the potential to cause harm if it is inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with or is absorbed by the skin.

This includes anything that is classified as very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant, biological agents, dust (depending on its concentration in the air) and any other substance which, because of its chemical or toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present in the workplace, creates a risk to health.

Examples of substances hazardous to health that can be found in the workplace are:

• substances used in work activities, such as glues, paints and cleaning agents;
• substances generated in work activities, such as wood dust and fumes from soldering and welding;
• naturally occurring substances, such as blood and bacteria.

Asbestos and lead are covered by separate legislation and not by COSHH.