Hazardous Chemicals – Everything you need to know!

Illnesses contracted through harmful chemicals, in the workplace especially, has had a drastic increase in the last four years. In 2018-19 alone, 1.4 million workers became unwell due to work-related ill health. 12,000 fatalities caused by occupational lung disease occurred during that time also.

These astonishing figures prove just how bad of an effect those chemicals can have on a person; however, in most cases it can be avoided. It is the law to abide hazardous chemical rules, as they can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. Control of Substances Hazardous to Heath (COSHH) is the law that requires employers to be in control of any health hazards in the workplace, this is to ensure the safety of everyone in that work environment.

In this blog, I want to help expand your knowledge on all things hazardous chemicals!

What are hazardous chemicals?

A hazardous chemical is any chemical, which can cause physical harm or a health hazard. Chemicals, which are categorized as a hazard, can cause harm in many ways, such as by inhalation, swallowing or skin contact.

Chemicals come in many different types: solids, liquids, gases, and their size and form can determine their toxicity.

COSHH guidelines cover all chemicals from mists to biological agents, some examples of these:

• Dusts
• Fumes
• Vapours
• Mists
• Chemicals
• Gases
• Nanotechnology – manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new materials/devices.
• Products containing chemicals
• Biological agents (germs)

A COSHH assessment focusses on the hazards and risks substances may cause in a workplace, to make this decision questions are asked, such as:

• Where is there potential for exposure to substances that might be hazardous to health?
• In what way are the substances harmful to health?
• What jobs or tasks lead to exposure?
• Are there any areas of concern?

COSHH Employer/Employees Responsibilities

Employers

Employers have a number of responsibilities regarding COSHH laws, these include:

1. Exposure – employers must prevent exposure to hazardous substances, appropriate PPE can be used where necessary.
2. Control measures – apply control measures around hazardous substances and ensure these are maintained properly.
3. Instruction – provide employees with correct information and training in able to work with and around hazardous substances carefully.
4. Procedures – making sure procedures are in place for when accidents and emergencies may occur.
5. Supervision – check employees are carrying out tasks as they are supposed to.

Employees

Employees also have many responsibilities to ensure that tasks in a workplace are carried out safely and efficiently. These include:

1. Safety – assist fellow employees in making the work environment safe, this could include supporting others with regulations and making sure everyone understand and follows them properly.
2. Procedures – to stop accidents and overexposure, following procedures is vital.
3. PPE(Protective Personal Equipment) – wearing the correct PPE including eye and noise protection is extremely important, lifesaving even. PPE must be stored correctly and looked after to ensure it works.
4. Reporting – it is important to report and make sure your supervisors are aware of any accidents that may have occurred. This is so they are able to be record and dealt with in the best way.
5. Training – make sure to keep up to date with all training, this should be provided by your employers.

If employers or employees breach COSHH regulations, it can result in an unlimited fine.

COSHH Symbols and meanings

There are nine primary hazard symbols, which are used to make people aware of the different harm/hazards that substances may cause. Below are the main symbols that are under COSHH:

• Dangerous to the environment - chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to aspects of the environment (wildlife, plants, people etc.)
• Oxidising – chemicals and substances that react with other exothermically with other chemicals – often resulting in combustion.
• Corrosive – substances that can damage or destroy other substances with which it comes into contact by means of a chemical reaction.
• Long-term health hazards – this indicates the presence of a cancer-causing agent or substance with respiratory, reproductive or organ toxicity that causes damage over time.
• Caution – this relates to slightly less hazardous substances that may not pose as immediate or severe threat to health but should be handled carefully within workplaces.
• Flammable – this refers to any flammable chemicals or other substances that ignite on contact with air.
• Explosive – this symbol is used to justify an explosive substance that has the potential to explode if placed under certain conditions.
• Compressed gas – these signs are used in areas where there are compressed gas containers stored or transported.
• Toxic – chemicals that at low levels cause damage to health.

To read in more detail about COSHH and the safety signs use this link to read Anna’s Blog!

https://www.astralhygiene.co.uk/blog/msds/