COSHH Assessment

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

A COSHH assessment is a systematic examination of a task or process that involves using a potentially hazardous substance. A Hazardous substances can include;

• Substances used directly in work activities (e.g adhesives, paints, cleaning agents)
• Substances generated during work activities (e.g fumes from soldering and welding)
• Naturally occurring substances (e.g grain dust)
• Biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms.

COSHH Assessment Enquiry Form

The Effects of Hazardous Substances include;

• Skin irritation or dermatitis as a result of skin contact;
• Asthma as a result of developing 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 caused it;
• Infection from bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents).

A COSHH assessment is carried out for the purpose of identifying the risks posed by any potentially hazardous substances you intend to use in the course of your business. It also determines what control measures you need to put in place whilst using, handling, storing or transporting particular substances.

The COSHH assessment takes into account the accident and emergency procedures, the accidental release measure as well as how the substance should eventually be disposed of. If it’s a particularly hazardous chemical which appears on the Governments EH40 list, it will also inform you of the Workplace Exposure Limits of its individual constituents.  Many substances like household bleach, paints and varnishes are relatively harmless if used correctly and the COSHH assessment is relatively straight forward, whereas some other substances such as some solvents carry a high risk and the COSHH assessment process is a difficult and time consuming activity.  Whatever the task or substance OJ Health and Safety can assist you with the process. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience of carrying out COSHH assessments on a wide range of high-risk substances.