Hazardous Substances and Personal Protective Equipment Policies

This month Simply-Docs focussed on expanding the Health and Safety documents folder. To compliment our sets of PPE and COSHH risk assessment forms we are putting out new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) policies. These will assist you to manage and monitor the necessary steps in order to comply with health and safety legislation in this area.

The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 impose a duty on employers to provide, assess, maintain and, store personal protective equipment (commonly referred to as PPE) and instruct their staff in its use. We developed this general PPE policy to help you implement all the requirements listed by the regulations. This will not only make your business compliant but also will help you make your workplace a safer place for your staff.

A PPE Issue Record template has also been made available in the PPE sub-folder to help you manage the issuing of personal protective equipment in your business.

The new general COSHH policy can be used by businesses and self-employed people as the Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (amended 2004) apply to both trading entities (only Regulations 10 and 11 do not apply to self-employed). Should you be found in contradiction of these regulations you can face a fine of up to £20,000 if you are sentenced in a Magistrates Court and an unlimited fine or imprisonment if found guilty of a serious breach by the Crown Court.