COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. As the name suggests, the objective of COSHH measures is to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous substances, protecting the well-being of workers and anyone on work premises where dangerous substances are used.

There are three major strategies you must understand and implement in order to ensure your workplace is COSHH-compliant. Failure to do so could result in harm afflicted to workers, which can be followed by fines or other legal repercussions.

Control equipment

Hazardous substances should be stored, handled and used according to a number of control measures that vary according to the substance or environment in question. This is often made much easier by using COSHH-compliant equipment. Generally, the COSHH control measures govern the ways in which hazardous substances are stored and handled to reduce the risk of spills or other accidents and prevent harm or exposure to people.

Hazardous substances require varying storage types and safety protocols. As such, finding the most appropriate storage solution for your hazardous substances should follow a thorough risk assessment. It is necessary to understand all the possible health hazards posed by the handling and storing of the hazardous substances you need to store in order to plan for its safe use.

Employers have a duty to prevent workers' exposure to hazardous substances, and undertaking a COSHH risk assessment will help to reduce the risks posed.

For a comprehensive overview of how to safely store hazardous substances in the workplace, view our COSHH management solutions.

General ventilation

Safe storage environments for hazardous substances require adequate ventilation. Allowing for the harmful gases that are emitted by some substances can build up, which significantly increases the risk of exposure for workers. Installing local exhaust ventilation is a vital aspect of safe storage, to prevent exposure to airborne biological agents and remain compliant with COSHH regulations.

Enclosure

The area in which the hazardous substances are stored should be accessed only by those with sufficient training and knowledge of the risks involved.

The COSHH storage cabinet or container itself must have properties that will contain the hazardous substance safely; it should be made from materials that cannot be compromised by the substance itself, and allow for easy handling and more practical container arrangements.

Understand the COSHH cabinet requirements here.

Spillage capture and clean-up procedures

Part of a thorough COSHH risk assessment is to develop a plan for when toxic substances spill, and implement measures that will reduce workers' exposure. You should place spillage kits that are appropriate for each type of hazardous substance you use in strategic and accessible places, wherever these substances are used or stored.

Find appropriate spill control kits here.

Decontamination

Should a toxic substance spill, you must react quickly to contain the area and prevent any ongoing risk to employees’ health. Once the area has been cleaned and the substance disposed of, you should determine whether or not you need to decontaminate and disinfect the site of the spill.

The exact procedure will depend on the type of hazardous substance that spilled, so it is vital that those handling each substance understand its properties and how to effectively control a spill and decontaminate an area.

Personal Protective Equipment

According to the Health and Safety Executive, every company is required to give its employees the appropriate PPE to protect them from any risks or hazards they might encounter while at work.

Employers have a duty to ensure that all employees understand the risks associated with handling hazardous substances and provide them with the necessary protective equipment to perform their daily activities safely.

Working methods

COSHH control measures extend to the ways in which employees use dangerous products in their daily activities. It is vital that those working with hazardous substances understand the best practices they should use to prevent harm.

Procedures, supervision, and training must all be kept to the highest standards of safety. While it is a legal requirement for employers to protect their workers' health, employees have a responsibility to use their training and approach substances hazardous to health with the necessary caution.

Behaviour at work

Once the control measures are in place, it is important that everyone adhere to them. It is equally vital that these measures are used properly and that they are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still suitable for the activities you are carrying out and the substances you are using.

You must always meet the highest standards of control measures, which means wearing appropriate PPE whenever necessary, using COSHH-compliant control equipment, and implementing and following procedures to warn supervisors should anything go wrong.

It is vital that all organisations are organised and prepared to work safely around hazardous substances. SafetyBuyer is a leading provider of COSHH-compliant equipment and appliances; view our full range of COSHH cabinets, spill control kits, and PPE.