CoSHH Risk Assessments - A Checklist When Using Chemical Substances

A CoSHH risk assessment aims to protect the- Are workers who are exposed to hazardous
health and safety of employees. It is there tosubstances undergoing regular medical
reduce the possibility of workers being adverselyexaminations?
affected during chemical usage. CoSHH is a legal- Are employees being given adequate training in
requirement.the use of chemicals?
The following is a checklist to identify if a hazardPreventative Measures which can be put into
exists in your place of work:place to reduce risk to employees' health include
- Are hazardous chemical substances used in thethe following:
work place? Such substances may include those- Replacing very toxic substances with less toxic
classified as toxic, corrosive, irritant etcones
- Are Safety Data Sheets accessible for each- If possible, stop using substances which are
hazardous substance that is used?carcinogenic or mutagenic
- Are all chemical substances sufficiently labelled?- An automated system should be used for
- Are all hazardous substances handled correctly?applying chemical substances
- Are all members of staff who use hazardous- Ensure that Safety Data Sheets are at hand
chemicals informed on a regular basis as to theand are the most up to date copies
dangers of these chemicals?- Keep a check that chemicals are being properly
- Are there any young employees or pregnanthandled
women who have contact with carcinogenic or- Ensure that hazardous substances are stored
mutagenic substances?correctly
- Are concentration measurements of substances- Keep note of the amount of chemical
used in line with Maximum Admissibleconcentration
Concentrations?- Install suitable collective protection equipment
- Where chemicals are used, are general and local- Make sure that employees have access to PPE
ventilation systems set up?- If chemical concentration exceeds the Maximum
- Are these ventilation systems checked on aAdmissible Concentration then ensure that local
regular basis?exhaust ventilation equipment is used continually
- Do employees who use chemical substances,- Technical checks should be made on all
have access to personal protective equipmentequipment used with chemicals.
such as goggles, gloves?