SCH
HOOL SA
AFETY M
AL
MANUA
CONT
TROL OF
F SUBST
TANCES
S HAZA
ARDOUS
S TO HE
EALTH (C
COSHH)
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Download Orla Maartin
Health aand Safety Officeer
Januaryy 2014
SCHOOL SAFETY MANUALCONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO
HEALTH
(COSHH)
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that no one is put at risk by using chemicals or other
hazardous substances at work. The law requires employers to control exposures to hazardous
substances and to prevent illness by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health Regulations (NI) 2003 (COSHH (NI)).
The Regulations place a duty on those responsible to carry out COSHH assessments on tasks
which involve the use of any hazardous substances and to implement appropriate controls.
COSHH places duties on everyone within the NEELB, this includes:
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Boards of Governors as Controllers of Premises;
Principals and Supervisors as Line Managers;
Building Supervisors and Cleaners; and
All staff employed by the NEELB.
Under the Regulations, the NEELB has responsibilities for everyone who may be affected by
their work activities (e.g. teachers in schools, staff in the school catering service, pupils carrying
out experimental work, officers carrying out maintenance etc.).
The COSHH Regulations apply to all substances hazardous to health. A substance hazardous to
health is 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. They include the
following:
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Any substance that is classified as being Very Toxic, Toxic, Harmful, Corrosive or
Irritant;
Any substance for which the HSE has approved a Workplace Exposure Limit;
A biological agent;
Dust of any kind, when present at a substantial concentration in the air; and
Any substance which creates a comparable hazard to those above.
A substance hazardous to health can be in the form of a solid, liquid, gas, powder, fibre, vapour,
fumes, aerosol, mist, dust, biological agent or nanotechnology. The risk is categorised by the
following symbols on containers of substances that require assessment:
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HEALTH
(COSHH)
If a container does not display these symbols, it does not necessarily mean that the substance
therein is not classified as harmful.
COSHH does not cover lead, asbestos or radioactive substances as these have their own specific
regulations.
GUIDANCE
New hazardous substance symbols.
Over the next few years the orange hazard symbols above will be replaced by the newer
international symbols below:
Both sets of symbols will appear together for a number of years until older stocks of hazardous
substances are used up.
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HEALTH
(COSHH)
Where does COSHH apply within the NEELB?
Area
Science Department
Technology Department
Art and Design Department
Home Economics
Swimming Pool
Office
Caretaking and Cleaning
Grounds Maintenance
Catering
Who is responsible for
COSHH assessments?
Head of Department
Head of Department
Head of Department
Head of Department
Head of Department
Office Manager
Area Managers/ Principal /
BOG
Area Managers
Area Managers
Source of further
information
CLEAPSS
Subject Advisor
Subject Advisor
Subject Advisor
Health and Safety Section
Health and Safety Section
Health and Safety Section
Health and Safety Section
Health and Safety Section
As there may be other areas within the school where hazardous substances are used, an inventory
should be made of all substances in use. This will help identify areas where COSHH assessments
are required.
What training/qualifications should I have to carry out COSHH assessments?
You don't need any particular qualifications but you must be competent. This means you must
have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to do the job properly. You should:
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Understand hazard and risk;
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Know how the work can expose people to substances hazardous to health;
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Have the ability (and authority) to collect all the necessary information; and
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Have the knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions about how to
control exposure.
What does the assessment entail?
The assessments should contain:
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Details of the substance, i.e. generic name, hazard classification;
Details of the activity or task and the appropriate precautions associated with it;
It should be written down and its contents incorporated into staff training;
Where spillage of a hazardous substance occurs, appropriate spill kits and procedures
should be applied. Further guidance is available in the CLEAPSS manual and the Head
of Science and/or Building Supervisor should co-ordinate the response measures; and
The assessment should be reviewed at least every two years or sooner if the substance or
task changes.
Information is available from the suppliers of substances. Schools should ensure that they have
the latest Hazard Data Sheets for each substances. A COSHH assessment format is attached on
appendix 1.
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HEALTH
(COSHH)
Purchases of substances that are not on tender.
It is advisable to restrict the purchase of substances to those which appear on the NEELB tender
as these have been vetted by the NEELB staff and the appropriate hazard data information will
be available.
What are the employer’s duties?
The essential duties for employers under COSHH are to:
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Carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health created by work
involving hazardous substances;
Prevent or adequately control the exposure of employees, and others, to substances
hazardous to health;
Ensure that all control measures are properly used and applied, e.g. fume cupboard, fume
extractors etc.;
Ensure that all control measures are properly examined, tested and maintained;
Where appropriate, monitor exposure in accordance with suitable procedures;
Where appropriate, ensure suitable health surveillance is carried out; and
Provide suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.
What are the employee’s duties?
The essential duties for employees under COSHH are to:
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Carry out work in accordance with the COSHH assessment;
Attend safety training programmes;
Store equipment and tools properly;
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) properly;
Use control measures properly; and
Report any defects in equipment, PPE or control measures immediately.
If you have any concerns in relation to COSHH or require any advice, please contact your
NEELB Health and Safety Unit at: Tel 028 2565 5366
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS
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HEALTH
(COSHH)
CLEAPSS
Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of
School Science.
HSE
Health and Safety Executive. The enforcing authority for health
and safety in GB. In NI it is the HSENI
Workplace Exposure Limit
Is a legal limit which has been set for the amount of a hazardous
substance that can be present in workplace air.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2003/34/contents/made
CLEAPSS http://www.cleapss.org.uk/
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LOGO
Risk Assessment No:
Location:
Section:
Describe the activity
or work process.
(Include how long and how
often this is carried out and
the quantity of substance
used)
Location of process
being carried out?
Identify the persons at risk:
Employees
Contractors
(including trainees)
Public
(including students)
Name the substance involved in
the process and its manufacturer.
(A copy of a current safety data sheet for
this substance should be attached to this
assessment)
Classification (state the category of danger)
Very Toxic
Irritant
Extremely
Flammable
Toxic
Sensitising
Highly
Flammable
Corrosive
Biological
Flammable
Harmful
Oxidising
Environmental
Hazard Type
Gas
Vapour
Route of Exposure
Mist
Fume
Dust
Liquid
Solid
Other (State)
Inhalation
Skin
Eyes
Ingestion
Other
(State)
Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) please indicate n/a where not applicable
Long-term exposure level (8hrTWA):
Short-term exposure level (15 mins):
State the Risks to Health from Identified Hazards
Eyes:
Skin:
Ingestion:
Inhalation:
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Control Measures: (for example extraction, ventilation, training, supervision). Include special measures for vulnerable groups,
such as disabled people and pregnant workers. Take account of those substances that are produced from activities undertaken by
another employer’s employees.
Is health surveillance or monitoring required?
Yes
No
Personal Protective Equipment (state type and standard)
Dust mask
Visor
Where splashing is possible
Respirator
Goggles
Where splashing is possible
(Natural rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile Rubber,
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)
Gloves
Footwear
Overalls
Other
First Aid Measures
Eyes:
Skin:
Ingestion:
Inhalation:
Storage and Handling
Disposal of Substances & Contaminated Containers
Hazardous Waste
Skip
Return to Depot
Return to Supplier
Other
(If Other Please State):Contact your Sales Representative or local environmental health authority for
approved disposal or recycling methods.
Is exposure adequately controlled?
Yes
No
Risk Rating Following Control Measures
High
Assessed by:
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Medium
Date:
Low
Review Date: