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Related Experiment Videos

Controlling exposure to chemicals: a simple guide.

Alastair Hay1

  • 1Molecular Epidemiology Unit, LIGHT Laboratories, Clarendon Way, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. a.w.m.hay@leeds.ac.uk

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 23, 2006
PubMed
Summary

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials guide simplifies chemical exposure control for workplaces. This tool aids companies in developing effective risk assessments and control strategies for hazardous substances.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Workplace chemical exposure control is critical for worker safety.
  • A 1996 survey revealed significant gaps in understanding occupational exposure limits and control strategies among safety professionals, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Existing methods for devising control strategies were insufficient, necessitating a new approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and evaluate the COSHH Essentials guide as a simplified tool for workplace chemical risk assessment and control.
  • To provide a standardized, accessible method for developing appropriate control strategies for hazardous substances.
  • To improve compliance with U.K. health and safety legislation regarding hazardous substance use.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Development of a five-step procedure by a multidisciplinary working group.
  • Application of a hazard banding approach, validated by data for 111 substances with established occupational exposure limits.
  • User-friendly interface allowing selection of hazard bands based on risk phrases and substance properties (dustiness/volatility) to determine exposure bands and control strategies.

Main Results:

  • The COSHH Essentials guide, available in paper and internet versions, offers a systematic method for risk assessment.
  • The guide links hazard and physical properties to one of four exposure bands, each associated with specific control strategies.
  • Over 300,000 risk assessments have been conducted using the internet version, indicating widespread adoption and utility.

Conclusions:

  • COSHH Essentials provides an effective and simplified framework for controlling workplace chemical exposures.
  • The guide enhances the ability of companies, especially SMEs, to conduct risk assessments and implement necessary control measures.
  • Accessibility via the HSE website ensures broad reach and supports ongoing compliance with health and safety regulations.