Friday, February 1, 2013

How to implement COSHH?

By Jonathan Dean


The COSHH mandate demands that employers control chemicals which endanger workers' health. After an examination of hazards and a risk assessment, they need to implement steps which reduce the risk of damage. When employees are made to use these measures, their exposure to unhealthy substances is reduced.

When the control measures are implemented, overseers should make sure, that they keep working properly. Employers should train and instruct the staff, monitor their awareness of the control measures and teach them how to act in a crisis situation.

Many companies use some sort of chemical substances, or their mixtures. Certain processes produce substances as well. These materials may be harmful to contractors, employees and others. While some substances are obviously dangerous, many frequently used products can be harmful, too. Any type of dust, bleach or paint is toxic.

Do you know which chemicals are utilized in your company? Which of those endanger employees? To find out, check product data sheets, question your supplier, or study trade press and web resources, like HSE's pages.

As you analyse tasks in the company, consider any ways of a possible exposure to harmful substances. Workers may inhale dust particles, gas, fumes or mist. Other chemicals injure as they touch worker's eyes or a skin. Yet other substances are dangerous only if they contaminate a wound.

After inhalation, chemicals can hurt a nose, lungs or a throat directly, or enter the body and injure a liver and other organs.

A number of chemicals damage skin. Other substances get absorbed and injure other body parts. A contamination happens through touching the substance directly, or having any contact with corrupt liquids or dust particles. Touching contaminated objects, like compromised safety gear, spreads an infection as well.

Diligent washing of one's hands after eating or smoking prevents the passage of contaminants into a worker's mouth. A caustic substance splashed into eyes leads to a lasting damage. A contact with vapours, dust or gas merely irritates.

Products described as 'dangerous for supply' have labels depicting symbols of hazard types. Some chemicals for daily use, such as solvents, fillers, bleach or paint, also qualify for this category. The law obliges all suppliers of such products to offer a safety data sheet.

This law does not cover cosmetics, medicines or pesticides. As those product have no safety data sheet, you have to question the supplier about a safe handling procedures.

See, if you can substitute any safer chemical for a dangerous one. Sometimes a safe form of a substrate can be used instead. Replacing powder with paste helps to implement safety standards.

When you can't use an alternative product, try to tweak the manufacturing, so that less hazardous substances are freed in a process. Isolating a whole procedure, or capturing harmful secretions, as they are produced, helps to reach that goal. A minimal crew, geared with personal protective equipment, so called PPE, helps to maintain safety standards. Keep in mind that supplies, such as coveralls, gloves or respirators must fit the workers who wear them.




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