AHS

C.O.S.H.H

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

AHS

What is C.O.S.H.H?Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health

Aim of COSHH:

To protect people against risks to their health, from immediate or delayed effects caused by the use of substances with have the potential to be hazardous to health.

What is a hazardous substance?

A substance or preparation (mixture) with the potential to cause harm if they are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact, or are absorbed through the skin

COSHH is a legal requirement:

It is present to ensure the safety in the workplace is enforced and to reduce the amount and severity of accidents involving chemicals

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Hazardous Substances can take many forms and include:

•Chemical•Products containing Chemicals

•Fumes•Dusts

•Vapours•Gases

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How can Hazardous Substances effect you?

Exposure by breathingOnce breathed in, some substances can attack the nose, throat or lungs

Exposure by swallowingPeople transfer chemicals from their hands to their mouths by eating, smoking etc, without washing first

Exposure by skin contactSome substances damage skin, while others pass through it

Exposure to the eyesSome vapours, gases and dusts are irritating to eyes.

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C.O.S.H.H – Who is Responsible?

Everyone!

COSHH is everyone’s responsibility.

It is important that you fully understand your responsibility's – not just for your own safety but for your colleagues

What you must do:providedWear PPE provided.Look after PPE and report issues.Follow instructions/training given.Report any problems to your manager.NEVER mix chemicals unless it is a safe and authorised process.Know where washing and first-aid facilities are on site.Ensure hazardous substances are returned to the locked COSHH cabinets. Do not leave out!

AHS

C.O.S.H.H – Who is Responsible?

Everyone!

COSHH is everyone’s responsibility.

It is also important that you fully understand your Employers responsibility's

What we must do:

Assess the risk to health and identify what precautions are needed.Introduce appropriate measures to prevent or control the risk e.g, use alternative safer substances if possible.Ensure by good supervision that control measures are used and that equipment is properly maintained and procedures observed. Where necessary, monitor the exposure of the workers and carry out an appropriate form of surveillance of their health. Train employees about the risks and the precautions to be taken.

The Golden rules of Chemical Safety

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AVOID personal contact with chemicals. Protect the skin and eyes. AVOID swallowing/inhaling.ALWAYS wear protective equipment (PPE). ALWAYS Follow instructions, refer to labels and safety data sheetsALWAYS replace closures on containersALWAYS store chemicals correctly and securelyALWAYS know the emergency first aid proceduresPAY ATTENTION to the particular hazards of individual chemicals.NEVER smoke, eat or drink near chemicals. Use only designated areasNEVER mix chemicals

Always treat all chemicals with respect familiarity can breed complacency

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• Skin IrrationChemicals that may cause damage to healthor inflammation to the skin or other mucous membranes.

• Acute ToxicityChemicals that at low levels cause damage to health.

• Flammable LiquidsChemicals that have an extremely low flash point and

boiling point, and gases that catch fire in contact with air.

• Skin CorrosionChemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact.

• Dangerous for the environmentChemicals that may present an immediate or delayed

danger to one or more components of the environment.

Accommodation & Hospitality Services

Accommodation & Hospitality Services

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Red - Bathrooms Yellow - Kitchens

Green - Bedrooms Blue - Stairs & Corridors

Blue - Porters

Cleaning Cloths & Cross Contamination

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Chemical disposal – Sluice & Dirty water procedure