Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

This piece of legislation relates to the use and storage of dangerous substances. Incorrect use of hazardous substances can cause:

Skin irritation or dermatitis
Asthma
Loss of consciousness
Cancer (may appear a long time after a person has been exposed to the substance)
Infection

All chemicals and substances used within the establishment must be surveyed and a COSHH register should be kept.

Substances should be labelled ‘very toxic’, ‘toxic’, ‘harmful’, ‘irritant’, or ‘corrosive’.

Employers’ must complete a risk assessment in relation to all substances.

Legal responsibility of employers	Legal responsibility of employees
Assess risks to health from hazardous substances used in workplace activities Decide on precautions (e.g. issuing masks goggles, gloves, etc Prevent danger by using safer chemicals (e.g. cleaning products) Inform and train employees in use of substances Provide locked storage for substances Make sure substances are clearly labelled	Take reasonable care personal safety in the use of hazardous substances by wearing protective clothing, e.g. gloves when using cleaning chemicals such as bleach and oven cleaner Not to put other employees/customers at risk of danger when using these substances Not misuse equipment or machinery used with hazardous substances

Legal responsibility of employers	Assess risks to health from hazardous substances used in workplace activities Decide on precautions (e.g. issuing masks goggles, gloves, etc Prevent danger by using safer chemicals (e.g. cleaning products) Inform and train employees in use of substances Provide locked storage for substances Make sure substances are clearly labelled
Legal responsibility of employees	Take reasonable care personal safety in the use of hazardous substances by wearing protective clothing, e.g. gloves when using cleaning chemicals such as bleach and oven cleaner Not to put other employees/customers at risk of danger when using these substances Not misuse equipment or machinery used with hazardous substances

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