COSHH is a legal framework designed to protect workers from harm caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work

 🧪 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

COSHH is a legal framework designed to protect workers from harm caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work. These include chemicals, fumes, vapours, gases, dusts, biological agents and cleaning products.

🔍 Why COSHH Matters

🚫 Prevents long-term diseases (asthma, cancer, dermatitis)

🛡️ Reduces exposure to toxic, corrosive, irritant & carcinogenic agents

⚖️ Ensures compliance with legal health & safety duties

🏭 Builds a controlled & safe working environment

🧾 Key Steps in COSHH Management

1) 📋 Identify Hazardous Substances

Review chemical inventory, labels, SDS/MSDS

Check for symbols (☠️ ⚠️ 🔥 ❄️) and hazard classifications

2) 📊 Assess the Risk (COSHH Risk Assessment)

Where is exposure happening?

Who is at risk (operator, cleaner, visitor)?

What exposure routes? 🌬️ Inhalation | 🖐 Skin Contact | 👁️ Eyes | 🍽️ Ingestion

3) 🔧 Control the Exposure

Apply the hierarchy of controls:

🧪 Substitute with a safer chemical

🔒 Engineering controls (LEV, fume hoods, enclosures)

🚫 Administrative controls (restricted access, rotation, SOPs)

🛡️ PPE (gloves, apron, respirator, goggles — as last line)

4) 🧼 Safe Use, Storage & Handling

Store in labelled & segregated cabinets

 (e.g. 🔥 flammables, ☣ corrosives, 🧪 acids/bases separated)

Keep spill kits, neutralizers & eyewash nearby

5) 🚨 Emergency Preparedness

Eyewash, safety showers, fire extinguishers accessible

SDS-driven first-aid & spill procedures communicated

Trained response team available

6) 🎓 Training & Competency

Workers trained on SDS reading, PPE, handling & disposal

Supervisors enforce compliance & stop unsafe use

7) 🗂️ Review & Monitor

Exposure monitoring (dust, vapour meters when required)

Health surveillance (skin check, lung function tests etc.)

Update COSHH file when product or process changes

🎯 COSHH Golden Rules for Workplaces

✅ Know the substance before touching it

✅ Use controls as per assessment — not as you “think”

✅ Never remove labels from containers

✅ Report leaks, spills, symptoms immediately

✅ Treat unknown liquid as hazardous until verified

Good COSHH = Healthy workers + Legal compliance + Safe operations

📌#COSHH #ChemicalSafety #HazardousSubstances #WorkplaceSafety 

#HSE #IndustrialHygiene #RiskAssessment #SDS #MSDS #ExposureControl #PPE #HealthSurveillance #SafetyTraining #ZeroHarm #LegalCompliance