| The use of control methods should be brought | | | | maintenance and parts replacement. |
| into effect if risks have not been removed or | | | | Any defective equipment should be fixed as soon |
| reduced on completion of a CoSHH risk | | | | as possible and checks and actions should be |
| assessment. | | | | recorded for at least five years. |
| Control measures are always a combination of | | | | Finally, once control measures are put in place and |
| equipment and ways of working to minimise | | | | are implemented accordingly, you must ensure |
| exposure. Such measures may include extra | | | | that they keep working effectively. |
| training, personal protective equipment, warning | | | | A member of the work force should be chosen |
| signage etc. You need control measures that | | | | to be responsible for checking and maintaining |
| work and continue to work each and every day | | | | control measures. This has to be someone who is |
| in order that you comply with CoSHH procedures. | | | | competent and who knows what they need to |
| When deciding how to control the hazards and | | | | do and are able to do it. |
| risks which have been identified, a hierarchy of | | | | Checks will include: ensuring that the process isn't |
| control measures should be adhered to. | | | | emitting uncontrolled contaminants, checking that |
| The first measure is to eliminate the hazard or | | | | the control equipment continues to work as it |
| prevent the risk and use a safer one. | | | | was designed and making sure that employees |
| If exposure cannot be prevented, then the risk | | | | follow the correct way of working. |
| must be minimised by measures considered in the | | | | Two areas to consider where maintenance of |
| following order of priority: | | | | control measures is critical are local exhaust |
| Use a safer form of the substance, e.g. paste | | | | ventilation (LEV) and personal protective |
| rather than powder. | | | | equipment (PPE). |
| Alter and enclose the process to expel less of the | | | | If your company uses local exhaust ventilation |
| substance. | | | | (LEV) to control exposure, then it must be |
| Extract any emissions of the substance near the | | | | checked and examined annually. |
| point of supply. | | | | Personal protective equipment is frequently used |
| Have as few employees in harm's way as | | | | as part of control measures. This control method |
| possible. | | | | will only be successful if the equipment is checked |
| Provide workers with personal protective | | | | and maintained because should it fail, then the |
| equipment (PPE). | | | | wearer is no longer protected and is then |
| Control equipment comes in a variety of forms | | | | exposed to danger. |
| such as, glove boxes and fume cupboards and | | | | Whoever is responsible for the configuration, |
| spray booths and refuges. | | | | installation, maintenance and assessment of |
| The equipment should be supplied with a 'user | | | | control measures must also possess the required |
| manual' and should include schedules for checks, | | | | skills, knowledge and CoSHH experience. |