COSHH Assesment Procedure

Purpose and Scope

To identify the controls and responsibilities to be placed on substances subject to The Control of Substances Regulations 2002(COSHH)

Definitions:

Substances subject to the COSHH regulations are defined as:

a) Substance listed in Part 1 of the “Approved Supply List as dangerous for supply within the meaning of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 and for which an indication of danger specified for the substance in part V of that list is very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant. 
b) A Substances for which the H & S commission has approved a maximum exposure limit” or an “occupational exposure standard”. 
c) Biological agents (e.g. micro-organisms) capable of causing any infection, allergy, toxicity or other health hazards, 
d) Dust of any kind which is a substance within Para a or b above, when present in concentrations in air equal to or greater than:

• 10 mg/m3, as a time weighted average over an 8 hour period, of total inhalable dust or
• 4 mg/m3 as a time weighted average over an 8 hour period of respirable dust

e) A substance, not being a substance mentioned in sub paragraphs a to d above, which creates a hazard to the health of any person which is comparable with the hazards created by substances mentioned in those sub paragraphs.

Hierarchy of Measures

Before using a substance the manager is to examine the possibility of eliminating the requirement to use it, isolating the process or substituting it for a less harmful substance.

5.2:3 Responsibilities

The Managing Director is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all managers and Supervisors have been correctly trained in this procedure.

Managers are responsible for:

• Preparing and maintaining a register of all hazardous substances used within his areas of operations.
• Carrying out COSHH assessments in accordance with this procedure for all substances notified to them by their site supervisors.
• Ensuring that information contained within the assessment has been communicated to all employees involved with its use or storage and any other person who may be affected by its use.

Supervisors are responsible for:

• Informing his Manager of all substances he intends to use on site.
• Ensuring that he is in possession of the relevant COSHH and safety data sheets for any substance that his employees are required to use.
• Communicating any information contained in the assessment or safety data sheets to employees and others who may be affected by its use.
• Ensuring any control measures detailed in the assessment are complied with.

The Safety Manager is responsible for:

• The random review of COSHH assessments carried out by Managers.

Procedure

Immediately a site Supervisor has identified a substance that he intends to use he is to inform his respective manager giving him the following information:

Name of Substance Manufacturer Telephone No Process

The Manager is to enter the name of the substance on his COSHH register (Annex 1), obtain the relevant safety data sheet and carry out an assessment of the risk arising from the use and storage of that substance.

The Manager will forward a copy of the assessment to the Supervisor who requested the information and submit a copy of the assessment to the Safety Manager for approval before the substance is used.

On receipt of the assessment the Supervisor will inform employees of the contents and record the training on a toolbox talk record that will be forwarded to the Manager.

On no account are substances to be used until assessments have been carried out.