Chemicals are ubiquitous and are used in an enormous range of applications throughout the Department.
Most chemical exposures are potentially harmful to your health and may jeopardise your safety. Depending upon the toxicity and concentration, the effects of chemical exposures may be immediate (e.g. an acid burn) or long term (e.g. occupational cancer), and in any case, may result in life-threatening outcomes. Therefore, controlling your exposure to hazardous substances is paramount.
The main bodies of legislation associated with chemicals are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), which place a duty on employers to assess the risks to health arising from exposure to hazardous substances at work and to prevent or control exposure; and The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR). DSEAR sets out a more comprehensive framework for the management of substances that pose a significant fire risk and applies to flammable substances, oxidisers and explosives.
As with all types of safety management, the over-riding goal in managing chemicals and all aspects of chemical safety is to develop systems that effectively control the risks of harm to the health and safety of employees and others, who may be affected by such undertakings.
Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment forms (in both Word and PDF formats) are available for download, as are guidelines for completing the form.