COSHH

COSHH

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

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.

Aim of COSHH?T

• To protect people against risks to their health, whether immediate or delayed, from substances hazardous to health arising from a work activity.

• COSHH is a legal objective and requirement.

• It is there to enforce and raise safety standards in the workplace.

• It is there to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents involving chemicals and other hazardous substances.

  
  

• COSHH is based on identifying the hazard of a substance and then determining the risk…

What is a ‘substance hazardous to health?

COSHH covers substances that are hazardous to health. Substances can take manyforms and include:

• chemicals products containing chemicals

• fumes

• dusts

• vapours

• mists

• gases

• and biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance.

COSHH - Who is responsible??

EVERYONE

Case Study

A 46-year-old school cook developed breathing problems after working with flour in the school kitchen.

The room was small with poor ventilation.

Her breathing problems became so severe that she could hardly walk.

She had to sleep sitting up.

Her daily job included dough making in a large mixer.

There were no controls for the flour dust.

HSE investigation

The cook contacted her union, which supported her with a compensation claim

on the basis that decent working conditions were not provided.

The council admitted that it had not taken sufficient action over the problem

despite repeated complaints. HSE was not involved.

Effects

The cook became severely asthmatic. She had to retire early on health grounds,

and the courts eventually awarded her £200,000 in damages.

But the money will not bring back her health, she rarely leaves the house

and faces a very restricted lifestyle.

Hazard Symbols

• Watch the video and complete your worksheet

Multiple Choice

What does this sign mean?

• Explosive

• Flammable

• Gas under pressure

Multiple Choice

What does this sign mean?

• Toxic

• Corrosive

• Oxidising

Multiple Choice

The main outcome of the COSHH regulation is..

• To minimise any risks due to working with substances or being exposed to them.

• To give us information of what substances are safe to handle.

• To aid the HSE.

• To allow workers opportunities to sue the company from working with a substance.

Multiple Choice

Which one of these signs are most likely linked to the regulation?

Open Ended

What is the purpose of COSHH?

Multiple Choice

What does COSHH stand for?

• Control of Substances Harmful to Health

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

• Containing Substances Harmful to Health

• Control of Solutions Hazardous to Humans

Multiple Choice

What does this sign mean?

• Health hazard

• Dangerous to the environment

• Toxic

Multiple Choice

What does this sign mean?

• Health hazard

• Dangerous to the environment

• Serious health hazard

Multiple Choice

• Corrosive

• Flammable

• Gas under pressure

Multiple Choice

What does this sign mean?

• Oxidising

• Flammable

• Explosive