Step 8 – Ensuring Employees Are Properly Informed

The COSHH regulations requires the employer to provide all employees with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training which should include the below:

• The names of the substances employees work with or could be exposed to and the risks created by such exposure, and access to any safety data sheets that apply.
• The main findings of the risk assessment carried out.
• Any precautions that need to be taken to protect employees and other persons.
• Emergency procedures which need to be followed.
• The correct instructions on how to use personal protective equipment and clothing provided_

Employers should ensure that adequate information is provided which is appropriate to the level of risk identified by the assessment and in a manner and form in which it will be understood by all employees.

This last step is vital – the employer is to ensure that employees fully understand all risks associated with the hazardous substances they could be exposed to on a day to day basis. If employees do not understand the control measures put in place, then any measures implemented will not be fully effective and will put employees and others at risk of serious ill-health.