COSHH Essentials: Stay Safe Around Hazardous Substances
COSHH Essentials: Safety Advice from Enviro-safe
Stay Safe: Are You Up to Date with COSHH Essentials?
Hazardous substances are a common part of many workplaces – but without proper control, they can pose serious risks to health. Whether you're working with chemicals, dust, fumes, or biological agents, it’s vital to understand how to manage them safely.
At Enviro-safe, we’re committed to helping businesses create safer working environments and stay compliant with UK safety regulations. That’s why we’re highlighting the importance of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations – a key area of health and safety management.
Key Resources to Help You Stay Compliant
To ensure you're doing all you can to protect your workforce, take advantage of the following resources provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
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COSHH Guidance Website: The HSE’s COSHH website offers clear, practical advice on assessing and controlling exposure to hazardous substances.
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Download the COSHH Guide: Working with Substances Hazardous to Health: A Brief Guide to COSHH outlines the steps needed to comply with regulations and protect health.
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Chemical Safety Poster: Displaying the HSE’s COSHH poster in your workplace can reinforce safe handling practices and help your team quickly identify hazardous symbols.
Practical COSHH Training Opportunities
For those seeking a deeper understanding, HSE runs a two-day COSHH practical assessment and control course available both online and in person at their Science and Research Centre in Buxton. This course provides hands-on training in conducting effective COSHH assessments and implementing proper controls.
Visit the HSE website for course dates and booking details.
At Enviro-safe, we can also advise you on the practical steps to take following COSHH assessments and assist in implementing suitable control measures in your workplace.
Don’t Overlook Health Surveillance
Even with robust controls, some substances still carry health risks. In these cases, health surveillance becomes a legal requirement. This means carrying out regular health checks to detect signs of work-related illness early.
HSE offers detailed advice on:
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Managing ongoing risks
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Consulting with your workforce
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Identifying the right type of surveillance
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Setting up a suitable scheme
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Responding to results appropriately
At Enviro-safe, we support businesses in understanding when health surveillance is needed and how to implement an effective scheme tailored to your operations.