The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH) The Health and Safety Homepages provide you with a wealth of health and safety related information whether you are a duty holder or just an interested employee 13, http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/cosele.htm (Direct Hit) The Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations of 1988 since amended and consolidated in 1999 are the main piece of legislation covering control of the risks to employees and other people arising from exposure to harmful substances in connection with any work activity under the employer's control. The main objective of the Regulations is to reduce occupational ill health by setting out framework for controlling hazardous substances in the workplaceThe Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 (CHIP2) In terms of the Regulations, a Substance Hazardous to Health is: one that has already been classified as being very toxic (T+), toxic (T), harmful (X), corrosive (C) or irritant (Xi) under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations or CHIP (The Approved Supply List). or a substance which has been assigned exposure limits or a substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction or a biological agent, or dust in substantial concentrations in air and any substance not mentioned above but which creates a hazard to health comparable to those mentioned above. Duties Legal duties under COSHH are laid primarily on the employer; it is the directors duty to see that proper systems of work and management are in place. Relevant information and training on how to deal with hazardous substances must be provided, a duty that extends to every and anybody on the premises. Duties on employees include making proper use of any control measures, following safe systems of work, abiding by local rules and reporting defects in safety equipment. What COSHH Requires Complying with COSHH will...
