COSHH – Background

The Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) are the main piece of legislation covering exposure to harmful substances in connection with any work activity under the employer’s control.

The regulations objective is that of reducing occupational ill health by setting out simple practices for controlling hazardous substances in the workplace.

It is a legal duty for employers to establish what hazardous substances they use, assess the risks (COSHH assessment) and then implement suitable control measures.

The main responsibilities of an employer:

• Assess health and safety risks from hazardous substances.
• Decide on precautions to prevent ill-health.
• Prevent or control exposure.
• Ensure controls are used and maintained.
• Monitor exposure and carry out health surveillance if appropriate.
• Provide information: instruction; training and supervision.

As an employee it is your duty to correctly follow any control measures that are in place in the workplace: essentially an employee’s main responsibilities are:

• Follow the rules and safe systems of work.
• Co-operate with monitoring and health surveillance.