In order to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 [1], you must undertake an assessment and control any substance that might present a hazard to health in the workplace. A COSHH Risk Assessment template is provided.
Walk around the practice and identify potential exposure to substances hazardous to health. For each substance consider:
- In what way is the substance harmful to health? Collect and review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), check information on the packaging; check the manufacturer’s website or contact the manufacturer directly, if necessary.
- What tasks or processes could lead to exposure? What controls are already in place? Can additional controls be introduced to eliminate or reduce the risk further?
- What action is required after exposure?
- Is health surveillance needed?
- Areas of concern, for example check the practice accident book.
Merely keeping a copy of the MSDS does not equate to a full COSHH assessment. It is advised that MSDS and COSHH Assessments are kept in areas where chemicals or hazardous substances are stored so that they can be easily accessed in an emergency situation.
Further information on conducting a COSHH risk assessment, including alternative risk assessment templates, is available on Public Health Scotland – Healthy Working Lives [2] and the Health and Safety Executive [3] websites.
Sources of information
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Hazardous Substances. Healthy Working Lives, Public Health Scotland
- COSHH Assessment: How to carry out a COSHH risk assessment. Health and Safety Executive