COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

COSHH assessments are a specialised type of risk assessment that must be undertaken where there is a risk of someone being exposed to a hazardous substance or biological agent during their work, or as a consequence of a work activity.

The CLP Regulation – came into force in all EU member states, including the UK, on 20 January 2010. The CLP Regulation:

• adopts in the EU the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) on the classification and labelling of chemicals;
• applies directly in all EU member states. This means that no national legislation is needed;
• is overseen by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA);
• replaced the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 – CHIP on 1 June 2015.

Details of the changes, including new hazard pictograms, are available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/detail/coshh-clp-reach.htm 

Requirements

COSHH Legislation:

• 'The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (6th Edition ACOP)' (.pdf)‌
• 'COSHH: A brief guide to the Regulations' (.pdf)
• The CLP Regulation
• 'EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits' (.pdf)

Conducting a COSHH Assessment: 

• COSHH Assessment Form' (.doc)
• 'COSHH: A step by step guide to COSHH assessment' (.pdf)
• Hazard statements, precautionary statements and signal words
• COSHH Essentials (On-line interactive COSHH assessment system, HSE)
• Example COSHH Assessments

Management of Biological Hazards:

• Dangerous Pathogens and Toxins which Require Notification (.pdf)
• 'The Approved List of Biological Agents' (.pdf)
• 'Biological Agents: Managing the Risks in Laboratories and Healthcare Premises' (.pdf)
•  Safe working and the prevention of infection in clinical laboratories and similar facilities (.pdf)
• 'Laboratory Biosafety Manual' (.pdf)
• 'Control of Laboratory Animal Allergy' (.pdf)

Further Information:

• 'COSHH Essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals' (.pdf)
• 'COSHH Essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals (Guidance Sheets)' (.pdf)
• 'L129 Approved Supply List' (.pdf)
• 'HSD021C Carcinogens, Mutagens and Substances Toxic to Reproduction' (.pdf)

COSHH Audits:

• 'COSHH - Inspection Proforma' (.pdf)