Assessment details
Assessor name and role
Activity or process being assessed Assess the way substances are used, not just the substances themselves
Location
Date of assessment
Review date Review regularly, and immediately if the work or the products change
Substance register
One row per product. Take the hazard classification from section 2 of the safety data sheet (SDS). If you cannot obtain an SDS for a hazardous product, do not use the product.
| Substance or product | SDS date | Hazard classification | Route of exposure | Who is exposed and how often | Workplace exposure limit (if listed in EH40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evaluate the exposure
How each substance is used and what that releases Spraying, pouring, heating and sanding create mists, vapours, fumes and dusts that the label alone does not show
Duration and frequency of exposure
Who else could be exposed Cleaners, maintenance, contractors, visitors, people nearby
Could substances combine or react e.g. bleach and acidic cleaners must never mix
Is exposure reliably below any workplace exposure limit If you cannot say, air monitoring may be needed
Controls, strongest first
- Eliminate: stop using the substance, or change the process so it is not needed
- Substitute: swap for a less hazardous product or a safer form, such as pellets instead of powder
- Enclose the process, or extract at the source with local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
- LEV thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months, with records kept
- General ventilation improved where extraction at source is not practicable
- Fewer people exposed, for less time
- Safe storage: incompatible substances separated, containers labelled and closed
- Spill kit and decontamination arrangements matched to the substances held
- RPE as the last layer, with face-fit testing for tight-fitting masks
- Gloves and skin care matched to the substance per section 8 of the SDS, with washing facilities available
- Hygiene rules enforced: no eating, drinking or smoking in exposure areas
Health surveillance and monitoring
Is health surveillance required Required for certain substances and processes, such as those causing occupational asthma or dermatitis. Check the SDS and HSE guidance
Is air monitoring required Where exposure against a workplace exposure limit cannot otherwise be shown
Provider and frequency
Where records are kept Health records made under COSHH must be kept for at least 40 years
Emergency procedures
- First aid measures from section 4 of each SDS are known to the first aiders
- Eye wash and washing facilities within reach of the areas of use
- Spill procedure written and the kit checked
- Extinguisher types match the substances held, per section 5 of the SDS
- Emergency contacts displayed, including poisons information
- Exposure incidents: report, decontaminate, and arrange medical review
- RIDDOR reporting understood for relevant occupational diseases
- Other occupiers or neighbours warned where a release could affect them
Information, training and review
Everyone who could be exposed must be told what the substances are, what the risks are, and what the controls require of them, and be trained to use those controls, including any RPE. Records of that training belong with this assessment.
Review the assessment regularly, and straight away if the products, the process or the people change, if monitoring or health surveillance suggests the controls are not working, or after any exposure incident.