COSHH Explained: What Employers Need to Know About the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

COSHH Explained: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Every year, thousands of workers are made ill by exposure to hazardous substance. These illnesses range widely from lung cancer to skin disease, costing millions of pounds to society and industry.

What Does COSHH Stand For?

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) employers are required to control their employees’ exposure to chemicals and other substances that are harmful to health and therefore, reduce or prevent illness.  

By following these COSHH regulations, your organisation will help retain fit and healthy employees and ensure the financial health of your business.  

Hazardous substances can come in many forms and exposure can occur via inhalation, skin contact, by other routes including the transferring of chemicals by unwashed hands and through eating and smoking. Dust particles and splashes of caustic fluid can cause severe eye irritation.

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COSHH in the workplace: When Was COSHH Introduced?

COSHH developed as key part of health and safety practice for a number of reasons. Initially, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 was the primary piece of legislation that outlined the dual role that employers and employees play in maintaining workplace safety. Although the HSWA addresses hazardous substances in the workplace, it does so broadly, and does not go in detail about its management. As a result, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations came in to effect in 2002  in order to place specific focus on the dangers associated with hazardous substances, and the steps that employers and employees should take to manage and reduce risk.

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What Does COSHH Cover?

A number of hazardous substances and are governed

  • Chemicals
  • Products containing chemicals
  • Fumes
  • Dusts
  • Vapours
  • Mists
  • Nanotechnology
  • Gases and asphyxiating gases and
  • Biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance.
  • Germs that cause disease such as leptospirosis or legionnaires disease and germs used in laboratories.

The regulations, however, do not cover asbestos, lead or radioactive substances. These are covered under their own, specific legislation.

The most common hazards will depend on your business/industry type.  If you operate within a woodwork factory, metal finishers or a quarry, exposure to hazardous dust particles and fumes can cause lung disease, dermatitis and asthma. Additionally, materials such as flour and wood dust can ignite and potentially explode.

Everyday substances that can cause harm are all around us, both at work and at home.  Are you aware that some glue, ink, detergent and beauty products all hold hidden dangers? Used correctly however, according to the manufacturer’s instructions and in line with current regulations, they are unlikely to cause harm to health.  

There is therefore, a very real need for all employers to understand how to assess their individual businesses and the substances used by their workforce.  Risk assessments and control measures should be implemented to reduce potential exposure.

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COSHH Explained: What Can You Do?

Guidance on Control of Substances Hazardous to Health can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Online COSHH training courses are an excellent way of raising awareness among your workforce. The VinciWorks Hazardous Substances (COSHH) online course highlights the key responsibilities that employers and their workforce have in relation to hazardous substances and COSHH in the workplace. The online course explains what hazardous substances are, explores substance classification and hazard classification symbols, both old and new, along with the importance of labelling and safety data sheets.

The course outlines how hazardous substances can impact on human health, how they enter the body, symptoms and specific health conditions. It also details actions to take to control the risks from hazardous substances, such as the use of personal protective equipment, and ways to deal with accidents and emergencies.

As with all the VinciWorks courses, the Hazardous Substances (COSHH) eLearning course can be tailored to your needs, meaning that your employers can learn about substances and responses that are specific to your organisation. A designated course administrator can edit the text and images within the course using our integrated authoring tool, and link to organisation-specific documentation, all at no extra cost.

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Countdown to the Fourth Money Laundering Directive

Countdown Clock

The countdown to the new European money laundering regime has begun. The Fourth Money Laundering Directive must be implemented across the European Union by 26 June. On 12 April this year, the UK government ended the consultation on the draft regulations. Despite Parliament being dissolved and a general election taking place between now and the 26 June, it is relatively clear what changes to the UK’s AML regime will be made.

Despite knowing pretty much what the new law will say, the rapid, rollercoaster style timetable from the consultation to implementation has left little room for the regulated sector to get ready. From updating AML policies to retraining staff, a new AML regime means new changes.

Onto the Fifth Directive

Even while national parliaments are scrambling to rush through their AML updates, the EU is already drawing up rules for a Fifth AML directive. Designed to further increase transparency and assist law enforcement agencies, there may not be very much time for business to get used to one set of changes before having to prepare for the next ones.
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Training staff to prevent workplace bullying and harassment

Workplace bullying – The Equality Act 2010

According to ACAS, Bullying is defined as ‘offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient’.

Harassment, defined by the Equality Act 2010, is regarded as any form of behaviour that makes an individual feel intimidated or offended.  This includes “unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual”.

Bullying and harassment can occur face to face, via telephone, email or letter.  With the rise of social media, cyberbullying is becoming more commonplace.

What kind of impact can bullying and harassment have on a workplace?

Bullying and harassment in the workplace can be extremely detrimental to the workforce; the impact the economy has been estimated at £13.75 billion for absenteeism and turnover and 1.5% reduction in overall UK productivity, which equates to around £17.65 billion.

ACAS report that managers reporting grievances concerning bullying and harassment has risen from 7% in 1998 to 11% in 2011.  

Workplace bullying can lead to ill-health and work-related stress, it affects morale and is the cause of untold misery to workers.

Everyone has the right to enjoy a respectful and positive working environment.  A

C6E4GF USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Young woman working in office. Image shot 2011. Exact date unknown.

s employers, you are responsible for providing safe and healthy surroundings, where your employees can enjoy a bullying and harassment-free working experience, not just in the office but, in areas where work is performed. This extends to training, conferences, social outings and work parties.

Additionally, employers can be liable for third party bullying and harassment, for example, where a client, customer or other stakeholders of a business can harass an employee.

Workplace bullying – What should employers do?

Time spent understanding your responsibilities and proactive planning will provide long term benefits for you and your employees.  Attitude, policy and training are key elements for your success.

Leading by example will help influence behaviour, attitude and the thoughts of others.  A clear Bullying, Harassment and Grievance Policy should be implemented and effectively communicated to and understood by, all employees. Your policy must send a clear message to all employees that workplace bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Employees need to know what procedures to follow and who to consult if they have been affected by bullying and harassment in the workplace.  Similarly, line managers need to be aware of what to do if an employee seeks help.

What kind of training is available?

Training your staff is fundamental in providing your employees with the necessary knowledge, information and guidance to help reduce and manage bullying and harassment in your organisation. Training should be ongoing and reinforced periodically by reminders for all employees.

Training courses come in many forms. Interactive eLearning is a green and cost-effective way of educating your workforce, 24/7 and in any location.  Online courses grant greater accountability and audit capability to help break down training barriers to ensure businesses embrace your learning agenda.

VinciWorks Equality and Diversity Training draws on real-life examples and illustrates the significance of an anti-bullying and harassment policy and the importance of an appropriate complaints procedure.

As with all the VinciWorks courses, the Equality and Diversity course can be customised to meet your needs, enabling your workforce to understand the specific policies and procedures you have developed for your organisation. A designated course administrator can edit the text and images within the course using the integrated authoring tool, and link to organisation-specific documentation, all at no extra cost.

Once the course is completed, users will be required to take a final test consisting of as default, 10 required questions out of a bank of 20 questions.  The course administrator within your organisation can set a pass threshold, depending on your requirements and decide to implement the random test question feature. On successful completion of the test, users can download and print a certificate.

Looking for in-depth and engaging business protection training? Explore our comprehensive eLearning library and try any of our courses for free.