Food Safety and Hygiene - COSHH

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What exactly is "C.O.S.H.H."?

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health is the name given to a series of new policies aimed at protecting people against risks to their health, which may occur from exposure to substances of processes hazardous to their health at the workplace.

An employer who undertakes work which may expose any of his employees to substances hazardous to health shall provide that employee with such information, instruction and training as is suitable and sufficient for him to know the risks to health created by such exposure and the precautions which should be taken.

Although, it is the employer who has the main responsibility for implementing COSHH, employees, visiting workers, subcontractors, and other persons who may be affected by substances hazardous to health in the workplace are also assigned obligations under the policy.

Failure to comply with COSHH, in addition to exposing employees to risk will constitute an offence.

We are fully aware of the legal duties placed upon us by the legislation (UK Health Regulations 1994). Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 we have a legal duty to safeguard employees and the public health, safety and welfare within the workplace. We must fully comply with the legal requirements set out both within this Act and its associated regulations.

COSHH provides a legal framework to protect people against health risks from hazardous substances at work. It does not protect the consumer against the risks from chemicals, which may find their way into food.

A COSHH POLICY OUGHT TO STATE:

"All substances harmful to health must be identified, their uses risk assessed and controls put in place to ensure the employees health is safeguarded". (COSHH assessment forms should be available in every company)

Harmful substances are those labelled as dangerous (i.e. toxic, harmful, irritant or corrosive) pathogens and substantial quantities of dust.

An assessment must be carried out of all work processes which are liable to expose any employee to hazardous solids, liquids, dusts, fumes, vapours, gases or micro-organisms. The assessment involves an evaluation of the risks to health and the action necessary to remove or reduce those risks.

Equipment must be properly maintained and procedures observed. Employees should be informed, instructed, and trained about the risks and the precautions to be taken. Occasionally it may be necessary to monitor the exposure of employees and to carry out an appropriate form of surveillance of their health.

Following the COSHH policy we must:

 

Identify the hazards
Assess the risks
Decide what precautions are needed
Prevent or control exposure
Ensure that control measures are used and maintained
Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised

All part used or obsolete chemicals must be taken to Store Services in their original containers where they will be disposed of safely.

Suppliers requirements for COSHH:

Suppliers by law must include safety data sheets or labels for all substances bought into a workplace.

What are hazards?

Irritation of the skin
Damage to the eyes
Burning of the skin
Damage to the lungs
Poisoning

Who is at risk?

People who use chemicals
Work colleagues
Members of the public who are on the premises
Outside workers who are responsible for refuse collection

Do you know all you need to know?

Under COSHH, all persons at work need to know the safety precautions to take so as not to endanger themselves or others through exposure to substances hazardous to health. Below are general classifications of risk - know the appropriate symbol, the colour code, their meaning and their safety precautions.