How Should a COSHH Risk Assessment Be Conducted?
The focus of a COSHH assessment is the dangers and risks posed by hazardous substances in your workplace.
Keep in mind that not all substances are dangerous to your health. Your method may result in the production of some hazardous materials, such as silica dust from cutting tiles or wood dust from sanding.
- Reading the product labels and safety data sheets will help you determine which ingredients are dangerous (SDS).
- Make contact with your supplier if you are unsure.
- Keep in mind the hazardous substances generated by your processes, such as cutting or grinding, or to which employees may be exposed in other ways.
- How could employees be exposed? Consider the entry point into the body (whether the substance can be inhaled, applied to or passed through the skin, or even swallowed) as well as the consequences of exposure through each of these entry points.
- Consider how frequently and how long people use the substance.
- Consider anyone else who might be affected.
- Don't forget about potential exposure to maintenance personnel, contractors, and other guests or members of the public.
- Also consider those who might unintentionally be exposed, such as when cleaning, or what would happen if the controls failed.
After conducting a risk assessment and determining which potentially harmful substances are present and how workers may be harmed, you should consider preventing exposure.
- Is there a safer substitute for the substance you intend to use, or do you really need to use it?
- Can the procedure be altered to stop producing it or not using it? If this is not feasible, you must implement sufficient exposure control measures.
- Examine whether you can alter your current procedure to lessen the risk of exposure.
- Examples include using pellets rather than powders because they are less dusty or lowering the temperature of a process to lower the amount of vapour entering the air.
- To reduce the escape or release of the harmful substance, enclose the process or activity as much as you can.
- Reduce material handling by using closed systems for transfer and handling.
- Obtain the substance's emissions close to the source.
- Only allow those who truly need to be there access.
- Make a plan for material storage and use the right containers. Verify that the storage container is properly labelled and that materials that don't mix, like acids and caustics, are kept apart.
- Plan the waste's storage and disposal.
- Planning and organizing the workspace to make it simple and efficient to clean can prevent exposure to potentially dangerous substances during cleaning.
- Work surfaces that are smooth will make cleaning simpler.
- Utilize the proper tools and techniques to safely and quickly clean up spills.
- Utilize a "dust-free" approach to cleaning frequently; vacuum, do not sweep.
Even if you have fewer than five employees, it makes sense to document the steps you took to identify the risks. If you have five or more employees, you are required to record your assessment. Making a list of the steps you have taken to reduce the health risks to your employees is also a crucial step.
To keep the risk assessment current and take into account any changes in your workplace, it should be reviewed on a regular basis.
To ensure that your control measures remain effective, each component needs to be regularly examined and tested. The following tests, which should be sufficient to determine whether improvements are necessary:
Upkeep of plant and equipment: A qualified individual must regularly inspect and test all ventilation equipment (someone who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out work safely). This could entail sampling the air in the workroom or measuring the pressures or airflow in the system. Every 14 months, all local exhaust ventilation (LEV) must be inspected and tested.
ensuring that work procedures are being followed and, if necessary, revising them.
ensuring that personal protective equipment is appropriate, used, fitted correctly, and maintained as needed.
For any further query or assistance required, please feel free to contact or revert back. We'll be glad to assist you.
Ms. Divyasree - HSE Adviser | Aim Vision Safety Training & Consulting
For any further query or assistance required, please feel free to contact or revert back. We'll be glad to assist you.
Ms. Divyasree - HSE Adviser | Aim Vision Safety Training & Consulting
t: 044 42140492
m: 91 9445508458
e: Admin@aimvisionsafety.co.in
286, First Floor,GST Road,
Chromepet, Chennai 600 044 (Above Vodafone Showroom)
t: 044 42140492
m: 91 9445508458
e: Admin@aimvisionsafety.co.in
286, First Floor,GST Road,
Chromepet, Chennai 600 044 (Above Vodafone Showroom)
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