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Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk. These include:
Skin irritation or dermatitis as a result of skin contact
Asthma as a result of developing an allergy to substances used at work
Losing consciousness as a result of being overcome by toxic fumes
Cancer, which may appear long after the exposure to the chemical that has caused it
Infection from bacterial and other micro-organism
There are generally three main routes of exposure from hazardous substances and they are:
Absorption – contact through skin/eyes
Inhalation – breathing in
Ingestion – swallowing
No substance should be used or introduced into the workplace unless it has been provided with a COSHH Assessment for the product has been completed.
Store the product as per the manufacturers instructions.
Wear the correct PPE as identified as per the COSHH assessment.
The storage of hazardous products is extremely important. Advice should be taken from the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Flammable and highly flammable materials must be stored in metal cabinets away from heat or direct sunlight.
Storage areas should be well ventilated and cool.
NEVER MIX CHEMICALS – THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS PRACTICE!
Review the first aid measures on the MSDS and transpose these onto you COSHH assessment form.
Are any special provisions required? E.g.: Treatment creams or eye baths. Ensure these are available before the commencement of works.
Establish if any specific fire precautions are required and ensure that the necessary precautions are in place.
Review the required provisions on the MSDS.
Ensure any measures required are in place and that they are quickly available at the point of use, storage or transport?
