What The Service Involves
A COSHH assessment considers how work could expose people to substances that damage health. It is not just a catalogue of chemicals in purchased containers. Dust from cutting, fumes from a process and biological agents can also need attention.
We examine the substance, the task, the amount used or generated and the routes of exposure. The same product can present different risks when brushed, sprayed or heated. Duration, frequency, ventilation, cleaning methods and the people doing the work all affect the assessment.
Safety data sheets provide information about supplied products, but they do not replace a workplace assessment. A supplier cannot see how your team uses a material, whether extraction captures emissions or whether contaminated gloves are being worn between tasks. Those details belong in the assessment of your operation.
When To Ask For Support
Consider COSHH support when introducing a substance or process, changing how a product is applied or finding that the existing assessment is only an attached data sheet. Worker reports of irritation or concerns about dust and fumes should also prompt attention.
Commercial cleaning, engineering, maintenance, catering and manufacturing can involve different exposure patterns. Ask about occasional work such as decanting, clearing blockages and cleaning equipment. Short tasks can create meaningful exposure even when normal production is well controlled.
Relevant UK Duties And Guidance
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, as amended, require assessment and prevention or adequate control of relevant exposure. HSE guidance places prevention and control of exposure at the centre of the process.
COSHH is not the correct framework for every hazardous material. Asbestos and lead have separate specific regulations. Where exposure monitoring, health surveillance or technical examination is needed, the assessment should identify the requirement and the competent specialist input, rather than treat the written assessment as the whole solution.
What We Look At
Start by considering whether the hazardous substance or process can be removed or replaced with a safer alternative. If that is not reasonably practicable, examine engineering controls and working methods before treating PPE as the default solution.
We look at use and maintenance of controls as well as their presence. An extraction hood that is too far from the source may not protect the worker. The record should describe the necessary precautions, training, spill response and review arrangements in language that supervisors can explain to the people carrying out the task.
How The Work Progresses
First, describe the activities, location and purpose of the enquiry. We agree the boundaries of the work and identify documents, access arrangements and people needed for a useful review.
Next, the agreed evidence is examined and any gaps are discussed with the responsible manager. Findings should separate urgent control issues from planned improvements, with assumptions and limitations stated clearly.
Finally, you receive the agreed output and decide who will carry out each action. Review the arrangements when conditions change and check that the controls are understood by the people doing the work.
What You Receive
Task-specific COSHH records, an exposure-control action list and identified needs for further measurement or specialist advice.
What Affects The Cost
The number of substances is only part of the scope. Process variety, generated contaminants, quality of supplier information and the need for observation across shifts also matter. Monitoring and specialist testing should be quoted separately when required.
Questions About This Service
Is A Safety Data Sheet A COSHH Assessment?
A safety data sheet is not a COSHH assessment. It describes a supplied product and helps identify its hazards, but the assessment must consider your actual task and exposure controls. Include how the substance is handled, who may be exposed and whether the precautions are effective during normal work and foreseeable unusual activities.
What Should We Prepare For A Site Visit?
For a health and safety site visit, gather relevant assessments, your policy, training records, recent incident information and outstanding actions. Arrange access to the activities being reviewed and someone who can explain how they operate. Identify shift or security restrictions beforehand, and tell us about hazards or protective equipment requirements that affect access.
For the wider consultancy service, return to health and safety consultants Manchester.