The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations
Many materials or substances used or created at work could harm a person’s health.
These substances could be dusts, gases or fumes that are breathed in or liquids, gels or powders that come into contact with eyes or skin.
Harmful substances can be present in anything from paints and cleaners to flour dust, solder fume, blood or waste. Ill health caused by these substances used at work is preventable. Many substances can harm health but used properly they almost never do.
The law requires an employer to adequately control exposure to materials in the workplace that cause ill health. This is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
An employer is required to:
- Assess the risks that arise from the use of hazardous substances. This will include any arrangements to deal with accidents, incidents or emergencies, such as those resulting from serious spillages. The assessment must also include the health and safety risks arising from storage, handling or disposal of any of the substances
- Prevent, or if this is not reasonably practicable, control exposure to such substances
- Provide staff with information, instruction and training about the risks, steps and precautions the employer has taken to control these risks, eg provision of appropriate gloves or eye protection