What Substances Does COSHH Cover?
A clear idea of COSHH, or the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations, is key to a safe work environment. Although COSHH guides a broad range of dangerous substances, some materials are excluded by individual regulations. This article explores why COSHH doesn't cover certain hazardous substances.
What Exactly Is COSHH?
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, and it is a range of regulations that have been implemented to limit the risks linked with hazardous substances within the work environment. It imposes a duty on employers to determine and control exposure to protect workers from risks to their health. COSHH is not just limited to chemicals; it is best known for chemicals through its marketing name, and there is a wide range of substances that are covered in COSHH, such as chemicals, fumes, dust, vapours, mists, gases, and biological agents.
Substances Covered by COSHH
COSHH applies to all hazardous substances identified by the specific hazard symbols on their packaging. These include:
Vapours and Mists
Chemicals and Products Containing Chemicals
Gases (Including Asphyxiating Gases)
Biological Agents (Germs)
Fumes and Dusts
These chemicals cause diseases from asthma to dermatitis to cancer!
Substances Not Covered by COSHH
While epic in conception, COSHH does not cover all hazardous substances. These exclusions are codified in COSHH regulations as follows;
Lead
Covered by the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW).
Risks: Lead poisoning, neurological damage.
Asbestos
Governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Risks: Asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma.
Radioactive Substances
Managed under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.
Risks: Radiation sickness, cancer, genetic damage.
Why These Exclusions?
Lead, asbestos, and radioactive substances are excluded from COSHH as they bring different but significant risks to health and, therefore require specific standards and control measures. These all require separate safety-specific responses.
Lead
The Control of Lead at Control of Lead at Work Regulations stipulate particular actions for controlling lead exposure. These will measure lead levels in the air, health surveillance for workers, and engineering controls to reduce exposure.
Asbestos
Because of its risk, asbestos is one of the most tightly regulated materials. It contains numerous regulations and requires that institutes get and maintain a license to carry out asbestos removal work, regular health checks for workers and some exact risk assessments. Since asbestos-related diseases take a long time to develop, these rules seek to minimize exposure to asbestos in even the most minor amounts.
Radioactive Substances
The Ionising Radiations Regulations cover all aspects of working with radioactive materials, from safe storage and disposal to detailed training and protective equipment requirements. These regulations are essential in healthcare and nuclear power, which regularly utilize radiation.
Case Study: Asbestos in Construction
For example, when workers do renovation work in older buildings, they could encounter asbestos in the construction industry. An authorized contractor must remove it under the Control of Asbestos Regulations. It is being handled by workers using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and personal protective clothing, and it undergoes high decontamination. The fact that asbestos comes with its own set of laws outside COSHH points to why a stricter stance is needed.
Conclusion
COSHH applies to a wide range of hazardous substances, excluding some substances and activities, so it is essential to know when COSHH does not apply so that you hold a proper safety standard. Due to their risks, there are various regulations for dealing with particular types of waste, such as lead, asbestos, and radioactive substances. Compliance with these regulations is essential to safeguard the health and safety of the workers.
Call to Action
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