TBT 01: COSHH
Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health:
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INCLUDE:-
1. Oily substances & cleaning agents
2. Hazardous chemicals
3. Biological agents
4. Natural dusts
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HWS -Toolbox Talk 01 COSHH v001 11.09.2012

TBT 01: COSHH
POSSIBLE HEALTH PROBLEMS :
1. Contact causing irritation
2. Sensitising substances
3. Toxic fumes
4. Carcinogenic
5. Infectious
6. Fire, explosion
7. Environmental harm problems
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH SAYS THAT EMPLOYERS MUST:
1. Identify hazardous substances
2. Put controls in place
3. Protect from contact
4. Monitor exposure / health
5. Have emergency procedures
6. Train workers
7. Monitor controls
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TBT 01: COSHH
SUBSTANCES COVERED BY COSHH:
1. Chemicals with exposure limits
2. Micro-organisms
3. Dusts
4. Medicines, pesticides, gases
5. CHIP list
6. HSE list
7. NOTE: lead and asbestos have their own regulations
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH CONTROLS:
1. Hazardous substances
2. Likelihood of exposure
3. Reduce exposure
4. What PPE is used?
5. Face mask / helmet
6. Goggles, safety-glasses
7. Full face protection
8. Gloves
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH SIGNS (1 of 4):
TOXIC SUBSTANCE
Dangerous in various ways – avoid them. Use correct
PPE
CORROSIVE SUBSTANCE
Cause burns to skin / eyes – avoid them. Use correct
PPE
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH SIGNS (2 of 4)
IRRITANT SUBSTANCE
Affects skin, eyes, lungs – avoid them – use correct
PPE
HARMFUL SUBSTANCE
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, lungs – use correct
PPE
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH SIGNS (3 of 4):
FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES
Solids, liquids, gases, vapours – need source of heat / ignition
(hot object, flame, spark)
OXIDISING SUBSTANCES
They behave like oxygen – they help other things to burn
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COSHH SIGNS (4 of 4):
EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE
Various solids, liquids, gases, vapours – need heat / ignition
SUBSTANCE HARMFUL TO THE
ENVIRONMENT
For example pesticides / weedkillers
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TBT 01: COSHH
RPE: RESPIRATION PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
All types must be fitted properly & have correct filter for the work
1. Disposable type: use one per shift
2. Half face respirator type
3. Helmet type
4. Full face respirator type – needs air supply
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH EYE PROTECTION:
1. Simple goggles
2. Full protection
COSHH GLOVES:-
1. Laminate film, nitrile, neoprene, PVC, rubber
2. Long gloves are best
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TBT 01: COSHH
COSHH CONTROLS AND PROTECTION – REVISION:
1.
Identify hazardous substances in your workplace
2.
Contain hazardous chemicals – store them safely
3.
Keep oxidising agents away from flammable substances
4.
Use the right PPE including protection for the skin, eyes, respiratory system
5.
Deal with spills correctly
6.
Treat unknown chemicals as though they are hazardous
7.
Protect your colleagues and the public
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TBT 01: COSHH
REMEMBER
Statistically, waste management and recycling has a very high accident rate
If you see a problem DO NOT walk on by!
See it – sort it!
Report accidents, incidents & near-misses!
Do NOT become a statistic!