HSE publishes revised guidance on the COSHH regulations
HSE publishes revised guidance on the COSHH regulations
Keywords: Health and safety, COSHH, Hazardous materials
A new edition of a popular guidance leaflet on the safe use in the workplace of substances hazardous to health has been published by HSE.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), a brief guide to the regulations, sets out in a simple step-by-step approach eight basic measures that employers must take to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health.
The guide has been revised following the introduction of the COSHH and the requirements of the Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2003,which will become law from 29 April 2003.
An estimated 1.3 million businesses in Great Britain are engaged in activities that involve the use, or production of substances hazardous to health, including chemicals, which bring those businesses within the scope of the COSHH Regulations.
As well as employers, the new brief guide to COSHH will be of interest to safety representatives, health and safety professionals and anyone interested in protecting the health of workers and others from exposure to hazardous substances.
Significant new material in the revised guide includes advice on recording and reviewing the assessment;
controlling exposure to hazardous substances by applying protection measures in an order of priority;
preparing plans and procedures in certain circumstances to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies that involve hazardous substances;
ensuring that information, instruction and training of employees covers a specific list of items, and that information is updated to take account of significant changes in the work.
The guide can be ordered online from www.hsebooks.co.ukor from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787-881165;Fax: 01787-313995. Priced packs of ten are available. Single copies are free.
