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Control of Subs. Haz. to Health Regs 2002

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 were introduced in order to clarify an employer’s duties to protect their employees against harmful exposures to hazardous substances.

The current Regulations re-enact with modifications, all previously issued Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

What are my duties as an employer?

Your principle duties are to:

  • Carry out risk assessments.
  • Prevent or otherwise control employees’ exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Monitor employees’ exposure to hazardous substances in certain circumstances.

Risk assessment

The purpose of the risk assessment is to determine the measures deemed necessary to implement the required measures designed to control employees’ exposure to hazardous substances, a written risk
assessment is proof that an organisation has taken account of the health hazards and has implemented steps to eliminate/minimise the exposures.
 
In particular, assessments should identify:
  • Risks posed to the health of the workforce.
  • Steps necessary to control exposure to those hazards.
  • Other action necessary to achieve compliance with regulations relating to maintenance requirements and personal protective equipment.
Note:  Merely following suppliers’ product data sheets is not sufficient to comply with these regulations.
 

Controlling exposure

Employers must ensure that employees are not exposed to substances which are hazardous to health where this may be prevented, or if not, the exposure must be adequately controlled, as a rule, other measures which do not require the use of personal protective equipment must be used as far as is reasonably practicable. for some hazardous substances Maximum Exposure Limits and Occupational Exposure Standards have been established; additional guidance has been published by the HSE in respect of these.

Measures for preventing or controlling exposure

Measures could be any combination of the following:

Preventing exposure:

  • Elimination of the use of the substance.
  • Substitution by a less harmful substance.

Controlling exposure

  • Enclosing the process with local exhaust ventilation.
  • Sufficient general ventilation.
  • Reducing the number of employees exposed e.g. excluding non-essential workers.
  • Reducing the time employees are exposed.
  • Regular cleaning.
  • Personal protective equipment.
  • Preventing eating, drinking, smoking.

Engineering controls

  • Engineering controls should be subject to regular examination and resting and records kept accordingly e.g. local exhaust ventilation plant; every 14 months.
  • Monitoring exposure in the workplace; employers must ensure there is adequate monitoring of exposure and records kept for 40 years.
  • Provision of health surveillance
  • Health surveillance must be arranged by employers for certain substances as listed in the Schedule to the regulations.


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