Considerations in COSHH Assessment
When making a COSHH Assessment the employer needs to consider, with competent assistance, the COSHH Regulations and Approved Codes of Practice (see Publications and Assistance on Managing Health Risks of Substances) and all relevant matters, including:
- the severity and extent of harm that could be caused by each substance in the form it is or could be present, in the quantity or concentration in which it is or could be present, in combination with any other substance, in the work that is required, and any other factors identified in health and safety information from manufacturers of substances, research establishments, the Health and Safety Executive or other official sources, and academic, scientific, medical, professional and other knowledgeable sources;
- whether any existing control measures will prevent exposure and, if so, what else is needed to ensure those existing measures do not fail and to avoid risks if they do fail;
- whether any existing control measures will control exposure to a safe level and, if so, what else is needed to ensure those existing measures do not fail and to avoid risks if they do fail;
- where existing controls are inadequate, what new measures are needed to prevent or control exposure to avoid risks, including measures to ensure these do not fail and to avoid risks if they do fail;
- any group or groups of employees or other people could be especially at risk;
- whether exposure monitoring and/or health surveillance are requisite under COSHH; and
- any differences in the information, instruction and training needs of employees and other workers who may be exposed to the substance.