COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

011 – COSHH Guidance

Guidance No: COSHH Guidance / Issue Date and Version Number: To be added / Page:
1 of 10
Review Date:
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Introduction

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations are in place to protect people from substances that can be hazardous to health.

Substances not assessed or authorised must not be brought into or used in any school.

|Definitions

Where they are applicable in a school, the COSHH regulations cover the delivery, handling, storage, use and disposal of substances that can cause ill health.The substances can:

·  Be used directly in work e.g. chemicals, paints or cleaning materials;

·  Arise from work e.g. dusts, fumes and waste products;

·  Occur naturally e.g. fungal spores or bacteria.

The substances can cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, absorption or injection through the skin.

Some examples of the effects of hazardous substances include:

·  Skin irritation, dermatitis or even skin cancer from frequent contact with oils.

·  Asthma resulting from sensitisation to paints containing isocyanides.

·  Being overcome by toxic fumes.

·  Poisoning by drinking toxic liquids from bottles thought to contain water or soft drinks.

·  Cancer, which can appear years after exposure to carcinogenic substances at work.

·  Infection from bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents).

Many substances are subject to control by exposure limits.These are classed as Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL’s).Exposure is controlled by limiting the duration of use and the concentration of the substance used.Where applicable the WEL for a substance will be described in the hazard data sheet.

Duties

Head Teachers / Heads of Department Duties

·  Assess the risks

·  All processes, which use or generate substances hazardous to health, must be assessed and a COSHH risk assessment developed.

·  If the process is simple and the risk is very low, the results of the assessment (e.g. "no significant risk") may be recorded on the COSHH assessment.

·  Prevent or adequately control exposure

o  The regulations all require that exposure to hazardous substances is prevented or, if this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

·  Ensure that control measures are used

o  All employees are required to make proper use of control measures and to report defects. Head Teachers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that they do so, including providing them with suitable training, information and supervision.

·  Ensure that controls are maintained

o  All control measures must be maintained to ensure they are kept in efficient working order and good repair.

o  Engineering controls and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) have to be examined and, where appropriate, tested at suitable intervals.

o  Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) 'annual' tests (normally arranged through the local maintenance authority) and weekly visual checks (by users) should be recorded.

·  Arrange for routine exposure monitoring (if necessary)

o  There may be a requirement for exposure of school employees to hazardous substances to be monitored on a regular basis, normally to make sure that control remains adequate.

·  Information, instruction, training and supervision

o  Staff must be provided with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training about the nature of the substances they work with or are exposed to, the risks created by this exposure and the precautions they should take.

o  All staff must also be instructed on emergency procedures.

·  Ensure that appropriate actions are taken

o  Any remedial actions required as a result of the assessment should be considered and an action plan drawn up by the Head Teacher or other suitable person, who should also monitor progress. The requirement for planning for emergencies must not be overlooked.

·  Review the assessment

o  All assessments must be reviewed to ensure they are still valid. All assessments must be reviewed at least once in every 5 years. If there are no changes to the process and it is a low risk one, a review must be undertaken every 5 years. If there are changes to the process or if there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, a review must be undertaken immediately. For substances which are more toxic, review must be carried out more frequently than every 5 years, to ensure that the controls remain adequate.

o  The criteria for review are as follows:

§  Change of Head Teacher

§  An initial review should take place shortly after implementation of any control measures introduced as a result of the assessment to check their effectiveness (timescales will vary according to the risk – higher risks will require shorter timescales).

§  Should an accident or incident occur, or if there is any ill health which could have been linked to the process.

§  When there has been a significant change in the task procedure, technology, substances or process,

Employees Duties

All staff have a duty to comply with the regulations in relation to COSHH.Some employees have regular contact with chemicals and substances, examples would be site agents, cleaners and design & technology (D&T) staff.

D&T staff are specifically trained in the safe use and storage of chemicals, but also can obtain further information through CLEAPSS.

D&T staff must also clearly brief all students in the safe use of chemicals and substances used for teaching purposes, prior to commencement of a class.

·  Personal Hygiene

o  Staffs are not to eat, drink or smoke in any place which they have reason to believe to be contaminated by chemicals. They must practice a high standard of personal hygiene utilising facilities provided for washing.

·  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

o  Wear, in a proper manner, any PPE provided. Store PPE when it is not in use in the storage locations provided. PPE records should be maintained and PPE should be replaced when necessary.

·  Competence

o  Those who complete COSHH assessments should have received some basic health and safety training, and have an understanding of the chemicals being used. A material safety data sheet (MSDS) which is typically provided with the chemical should be used to assist in the development of the COSHH assessment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

These are provided by the manufacturer or supplier of the substance at the time of purchase.All the information needed for a COSHH assessment will be included in the data sheet and can be transferred to the risk assessment form.

Suppliers must provide safety data sheets for dangerous chemicals to the recipient of the chemicals, but only if the chemicals are to be used in connection with work. Safety data sheets do not have to be provided when dangerous chemicals are sold through shops for use by the public, as long as enough information is given in another form, for example on the package.

Safety data sheets are important to make the school safe and to protect the environment. More specifically, a safety data sheet contains information to help you write a risk assessment as required by COSHH.

The safety data sheet itself is not an assessment. However, it will describe the hazards of a chemical, helping you to assess the probability of those hazards (i.e. the risk) arising in the school. It will not take into account local working conditions or the health, age and experience of those using the substances.

Categories of Danger

·  Highly Flammable (F)

·  Extremely flammable (F+)

·  Toxic (T)

·  Very toxic (T+)

·  Corrosive (C)

·  Harmful (Xn)

·  Irritant (Xi)

·  Sensitising by inhalation (Xn)

·  Sensitising by skin contact (Xi)

·  Dangerous to the environment (N)

·  Explosive (E)

·  Oxidising (O)

Risk Phrases

·  R1 Explosive when dry.

·  R2 Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source of ignition.

·  R3 Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.

·  R4 Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.

·  R5 Heating may cause an explosion.

·  R6 Explosive with or without contact with air.

·  57 May cause fire.

·  R8 Contact with combustible material may cause fire.

·  R9 Explosive when mixed with combustible material.

·  R10 Flammable.

·  R11 Highly flammable.

·  R12 Extremely flammable.

·  R13 Extremely flammable liquefied gas

·  R14 Reacts violently with water.

·  R15 Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.

·  R16 Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.

·  R17 Spontaneously flammable in air.

·  R18 In use, may form inflammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.

·  R19 May form explosive peroxides.

·  R20 Harmful by inhalation.

·  R21 Harmful in contact with skin.

·  R22 Harmful if swallowed.

·  R23 Toxic by inhalation.

·  R24 Toxic in contact with skin.

·  R25 Toxic if swallowed.

·  R26 Very toxic by inhalation.

·  R27 Very toxic in contact with skin.

·  R28 Very toxic if swallowed.

·  R29 Contact with water liberates toxic gas.

·  R30 Can become highly flammable in use.

·  R31 Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.

·  R32 Contact with acid liberates very toxic gas.

·  R33 Danger of cumulative effects.

·  R34 Causes burns.

·  R35 Causes severe burns.

·  R36 Irritating to eyes.

·  R37 Irritating to respiratory system.

·  R38 Irritating to skin.

·  R39 Danger of very serious irreversible effects.

·  R40 Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.

·  R41 Risk of serious damage to the eyes.

·  R42 May cause sensitisation by inhalation.

·  R43 May cause sensitisation by skin contact.

·  R44 Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.

·  R45 May cause cancer.

·  R46 May cause heritable genetic damage.

·  R47 May cause birth defects

·  R48 Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.

·  R49 May cause cancer by inhalation.

·  R50 Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

·  R51 Toxic to aquatic organisms.

·  R52 Harmful to aquatic organisms.

·  R53 May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

·  R54 Toxic to flora.

·  R55 Toxic to fauna.

·  R56 Toxic to soil organisms.

·  R57 Toxic to bees.

·  R58 May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.

·  R59 Dangerous to the ozone layer.

·  R60 May impair fertility.

·  R61 May cause harm to the unborn child.

·  R62 Risk of impaired fertility.

·  R63 Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.

·  R64 May cause harm to breastfed babies.

·  R65 Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.

·  R66 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.

·  R67 Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.

·  R68 Possible risk of irreversible effects.

Safety Phrases

·  S1 Keep locked up.

·  S2 Keep out of the reach of children.

·  S3 Keep in a cool place.

·  S4 Keep away from living quarters.

·  S5 Keep contents under ... (there follows the name of a liquid).

·  S6 Keep under ... (there follows the name of an inert gas).

·  S7 Keep container tightly closed.

·  S8 Keep container dry.

·  S9 Keep container in a well-ventilated place.

·  S12 Do not keep the container sealed.

·  S13 Keep away from food, drink and animal foodstuffs.

·  S14 Keep away from ... (a list of incompatible materials will follow).

·  S15 Keep away from heat.

·  S16 Keep away from sources of ignition.

·  S17 Keep away from combustible material.

·  S18 Handle and open container with care.

·  S20 When using, do not eat or drink.

·  S21 When using do not smoke.

·  S22 Do not breathe dust.

·  S23 Do not breathe vapour.

·  S24 Avoid contact with skin.

·  S25 Avoid contact with eyes.

·  S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water andseek medical advice.

·  S27 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.

·  S28 After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap-suds.

·  S29 Do not empty into drains.

·  S30 Never add water to this product.

·  S33 Take precautionary measures against static discharges.

·  S35 This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.

·  S36 Wear suitable protective clothing.

·  S37 Wear suitable gloves.

·  S38 In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.

·  S39 Wear eye / face protection.

·  S40 To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use .... (there follows suitable cleaning material).

·  S41 In case of fire and / or explosion do not breathe fumes.

·  S42 During fumigation / spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment.

·  S43 In case of fire use ... (there follows the type of fire-fighting equipment to be used.)

·  S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label whenever possible.)

·  S46 If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.

·  S47 Keep at temperature not exceeding...

·  S48 To be kept wet with (there follows a material name).

·  S49 Keep only in the original container.

·  S50 Do not mix with ...

·  S51 Use only in well ventilated areas.

·  S52 Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas.

·  S53 Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.

·  S56 Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.

·  S57 Use appropriate container to avoid environmental contamination.

·  S59 Refer to manufacturer / supplier for information on recovery / recycling.

·  S60 This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

·  S61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / safety data sheets.

·  S62 If swallowed, do not induce vomiting; seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.