Pollution control – Hazardous substances

Employers need to comply with regulations regarding hazardous substances.

 

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 applies to all substances that can be harmful to health; such substances include chemicals, drugs, bacteria and viruses.  

 

As an employer, you must carry out a risk assessment and introduce measures to control or reduce health risks for your employees and others.

 

To help you complete the assessment, you can get a safety data sheet from the manufacturer or supplier of the hazardous chemicals you use.  

 

The safety data sheet provides information about how a particular chemical may be harmful, and appropriate precautions and first aid action for it.

 

Control measures should be applied in the following order if possible:

 

• Get rid of the substance altogether.
• Try a less risky option by switching a harmful product with a less harmful one.
• Use a substance in a form which is less hazardous (e.g. use pellets instead of powder).
• Ensure local extraction and ventilation systems are provided where necessary.
• Ensure there is adequate general ventilation.
• Provide protective equipment (e.g. gloves and face masks).
• Ensure that staff practises good personal hygiene.
  

To find out more about how to control risks from hazardous substances, visit Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) Essentials.

 

We carry out workplace health and safety inspections to ensure that companies comply with these regulations.