Bothal Middle School and Wansbeck First School
Control of substances hazardous to health (COSSH) guidance
What is a hazardous substance?
1. Substances for which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have approved a workplace
exposure limit (WEL). Examples would include chlorine, ammonia or wood dusts. These
have a legal status and the exposure limits must not be exceeded.
2. Biological agents capable of causing ill health effect, examples would include any microorganism, cell, culture, genetically modified organism that may cause infection, allergy,
toxicity or any other human health hazard.
3. Substantial quantities of dust.
4. Any other substance not classified above that may create a comparable health risk.
The only exceptions are those things which are already being controlled by their own specific
legislation, for example, asbestos, lead, radioactive substances. In addition, it does not include
biological agents that are outside the employer’s control e.g. catching an infection from a work
colleague.
In schools, these hazardous substances will generally be found / generated in school laboratories,
school practical workshops and print rooms. Premises managers and cleaners’ stores are also
likely to contain such substances.
How will I know if a substance is harmful?
Substances that are classified as harmful, irritant, toxic, very toxic and corrosive, such substances
will carry the pictograms as follows.
Corrosive
Dangerous Environment
Explosive
Flammable
Contains gas under pressure
Risk to long term health
Harmful (Skin irritations or
sensitisation)
Oxidising
Toxic
8 steps to COSSH safety
1. Assess the risks.
2. Decide what precautions are needed.
3. Prevent or adequately control exposure.
4. Ensure that control measures are used and maintained.
5. Monitor the exposure (where necessary).
6. Carry out appropriate health surveillance (where necessary).
7. Prepare plans to deal with accidents, incidents, and emergencies.
8. Ensure employees are properly informed, trained and supervised.
Hazard checklist

Does any product you use have a danger label?

Does your process produce gas, fumes, dust, mist or vapour?

Is the substance harmful to breathe in?

Can the substance harm your skin?

Is it likely that harm could arise because of the way you use or produce it?

What are you going to do about it?
- Use something else?
- Use it in another, safer way?
- Control it to stop harm being caused?
Responsibilities
The Principal has overall responsibility for compliance, delegated to Business Manager, with
COSHH to prevent ill health and to ensure that assessments have been carried out for substances
hazardous to health within the school and for ensuring that training and supervision is adequate.
Heads of departments and managers will need to ensure that assessments are available for
substances within their control and that appropriate controls are in place and are being followed.
Heads of departments and managers will ensure that “at risk staff” are informed of any risks they
may be exposed to and the control measures in place to reduce them. Heads of departments are
responsible for developing COSHH assessments within their departments and ensuring that any
control measures are effectively implemented. Heads of departments are responsible for keeping
COSHH assessments up-to-date, obtaining data sheets for any new hazardous substances and for
carrying out an assessment for any substances within their control.
Cleaning, catering, caretaking and other staff should be made aware of any implications of the
health and safety policy as it affects their work activities e.g. storage, use and disposal
arrangements for materials, equipment, substances etc.
The Site Manager / Caretaker is responsible for ensuring access doors are locked so that children
cannot access any hazardous substances.
All employees have a responsibility to inform the Business Manager of any defects with
equipment used to control exposure to hazardous substances, and of any symptoms they may be
experiencing using hazardous substances. They also have a duty to co-operate with monitoring
and health surveillance that is required of them.
Hints and tips
You should never:

Mix different chemicals (unless in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions).

Return unused products to their original containers.

Use unmarked containers for dispensing cleaning solutions.
General advice for cleaning wood dust:

Regular cleaning should be carried out using a dustless method e.g. an industrial vacuum
cleaner with high efficiency filters (HEPA) or a vacuum pipe attached to the extract system.

Dispose of waste carefully and immediately into refuse bins.

Work in a well-ventilated environment.

Wear appropriate PPE if necessary (face mask and eye protection).

Keep wood dust away from sources of ignition.

You should not use compressed airlines for cleaning down machines, work pieces or clothing.

You should not use brushes to sweep up - they create dust clouds, this can cause high peaks
of dust exposure and simply spread the dust around.
Heads of Department for the purposes of COSHH are:
Bothal
Peter Stewart
Maureen Hesp
Paula Davison
Mike Seddon
Angela Staines
Maxine Dennis
Site Manager / Caretaker
Cleaning Supervisor
Catering Manager
Science
Technology
Science / Technology
Phase Leaders
Wansbeck
Mark Charlton
Isabel Williams
Margaret Lisle
Anne Parker
Debbie Osgun
Nicola Sales
If anyone has any questions about COSHH or requires additional training, please see Nikki
Lumley as soon as possible.