Health and Safety Policy Arrangements – Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances in the workplace can pose significant risks to health and safety, potentially causing illnesses, injuries, and environmental damage. In the UK, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 require employers to assess and control the risks associated with hazardous substances. This includes identifying hazardous substances present in the workplace, evaluating the risks to employees, and implementing effective control measures to minimize exposure. Measures may involve substituting less hazardous materials, using engineering controls, providing adequate ventilation, and ensuring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers must also provide training and information to employees about the hazards and safe handling procedures. Effective management of hazardous substances not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also protects the health and well-being of employees and promotes a safer working environment.
Take a look at the information below for things you might want to include in your own H&S policy…
Feel free to copy / paste this list, and you can find out more about our full H&S policy here.
The [Proprietor / Directors] of [My Company] will ensure that;
- Health and Safety data sheets will be obtained from manufacturers for all materials used by the company.
- COSHH assessments covering the use of identified hazardous substances and/or any work process that produces or could produce a hazardous substance/s, dusts, fumes, etc. (i.e. mixing of materials, cutting, etc.) will be carried out and include relevant information from EH40 (Workplace Exposure Limited).
- Operatives are informed that all hazardous substances must have a suitable assessment before use and inducted to these.
- Any control measurers identified in the above assessments will be put in place to prevent, reduce or control exposure to personnel and/or others who may be affected
- Control measurers required for Manual Handling Operations of hazardous substances will normally be identified and implemented from the initial COSHH Assessment
- Any Personal Protective Equipment selected and supplied as a last resort control measure will be assessed as to ensure it’s suitability to; the person, the task, the environment, combinations of PPE, etc.
- Specific assessments will be carried out for young persons, persons with disabilities and new or expectant mothers,
- Transport and storage of Hazardous Substances will be arranged to comply with current legislation and/or manufacturers recommendations
- The results/outcomes of any/all of the above assessments and any method statements, written procedures, safe systems of work, permits to work, control measurers, PPE requirements, etc. produced from the above assessment will be communicated to the relevant personnel, who will also receive any training required to ensure that the outcomes of the above assessments are met
- All the above assessments and subsequent control measures will be regularly monitored and reviewed as appropriate, taking into account new materials, equipment, legislation, work practices, etc.
Our minimum health and safety performance standards will be obtained from; but not restricted to;
- The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- HSE’s L5 – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
- HSE’s – A step by step guide to COSHH assessment
- EH40 – Occupational exposure limits
- INDG 136 – COSHH a brief guide to the regulations 2002
- INDG 353 – COSHH why do I need a safety data sheet
Did you find this useful? Sign up to our free compliance newsletter for insider tips, cutting edge strategies and tool recommendations.