Last Updated on October 17, 2022 by Ossian Muscad
If you’re responsible for the safety of your employees in the workplace, then you need to be aware of the COSHH assessment and how it can help keep them safe. COSHH assessment is the process of identifying and assessing any chemical hazards and dangers on-site. You can streamline regulatory COSHH compliance by using a COSHH assessment checklist and report.
In this guide, we will discuss the COSHH assessment, how to create a COSHH assessment, and what benefits it can provide for your business.
What is a COSHH Assessment?
A COSHH assessment, or COSHH risk assessment, is a health and safety measure legally required for any business that uses hazardous substances. The assessment evaluates the risks associated with using these substances and sets out ways to minimize or control them.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) states that a COSHH assessment must be carried out whenever there is a possibility that employees could be exposed to hazardous substances. This exposure could occur through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
Why Perform COSHH Assessments?
Exposure to hazardous substances can lead to various health problems, ranging from skin irritation to respiratory illnesses. In some instances, exposure to these hazards can be fatal. By performing COSHH assessments, you can identify any potential risks and take steps to mitigate them. This will help to keep your employees safe and healthy and protect your business from legal liability.
Occupations that are most affected by exposure to hazardous substances include:
- Health care workers
- Metalworkers
- Machine operators
- Industrial workers that deal with hazardous substances
- Laboratory technicians
- Cleaners
- Painters and decorators
- Construction workers
How to Create a COSHH Assessment
Creating a COSHH assessment is not as difficult as it may seem. The first step is to identify all the hazardous substances used in your workplace. Once you have
6 Important Elements of COSHH Assessment Templates
An efficient COSHH assessment should document and feature six essential elements:
- A detailed list of hazardous substances present in the workplace
- Workplace exposure limits (WeLs) and health risks.
- Information regarding the proper storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals
- Control measures to be implemented (first aid measures, PPE)
- Authorization by supervisor or employer.
- Employee signature to acknowledge understanding of COSHH risk assessment
Once you have these six elements, you can start to fill out your COSHH assessment template. To fill out a COSHH assessment template:
- List all of the hazardous substances present in your workplace, including chemicals and products containing them.
- For each substance, identify the WeLs and health risks associated with exposure.
- Outline the proper storage, handling, and disposal procedures for each substance.
- Detail the control measures that will be implemented, including first aid measures and PPE.
- Get authorization from your supervisor or employer.
- Have each employee sign the COSHH assessment to acknowledge their understanding of the risks involved.
By following these steps, you can create a COSHH assessment that will help to keep your workplace safe.
Benefits of COSHH Assessment
Performing a COSHH assessment can provide several benefits for your business, including:
Improved Employee Safety
With a COSHH assessment, you can be confident that all potential risks have been identified and mitigated. This will help to create a safer workplace for your employees and reduce the likelihood of accidents or injuries.
Reduced Liability
Your business could be liable if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to exposure to hazardous substances. However, having a COSHH assessment in place shows that you have taken all reasonable steps to mitigate the risks associated with using hazardous substances. This can help to protect your business from liability in the event of an accident or injury.
Improved Compliance
COSHH compliance is a legal requirement for any business that uses hazardous substances. Having a COSHH assessment in place allows you to be confident that you comply with the law. This can help to avoid costly fines or legal action.
Improved Productivity
A COSHH assessment can help to improve productivity in the workplace. By identifying and controlling risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances, you can help to create a safer and healthier workplace. This can lead to improved employee morale and motivation and increased productivity.
Satisfaction and Peace of Mind
Performing a COSHH assessment can give both employers and employees peace of mind. Employers can be confident that they are taking all reasonable steps to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous substances. Likewise, employees can be confident that their employer is taking their safety and health seriously.
A COSHH assessment is vital for any business that uses hazardous substances. By creating a COSHH assessment, you can improve employee safety, reduce liability, and improve productivity.
Conduct a COSHH Assessment with DATAMYTE
Carrying out a COSHH assessment can be a burden for inspectors due to the large amount of paperwork involved. However, by using DATAMYTE and its Digital Clipboard, you can perform better and more effective COSHH assessments that help prevent injuries or any health issues from harmful chemicals.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a workflow automation software that creates comprehensive workflows and tools that help promote paperless evaluations, inspections, and assessments. With the DataMyte Digital Clipboard, you can quickly and easily create COSHH assessments that comply with the law.
Using its easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, you can add COSHH assessment questions, photos, and videos to your COSHH assessment checklist. You can also create COSHH assessment templates for different COSHH assessments, such as general COSHH assessments, COSHH assessments for specific substances, or COSHH assessments for specific tasks.
Once you’ve created your COSHH assessment, you can share it with your team or employer so they can provide feedback or make changes. You can also export your COSHH assessment to PDF or Excel to share it with other stakeholders, such as your health and safety department.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is the ideal tool for conducting COSHH assessments. Book a free demo today to see how the DataMyte Digital Clipboard can help you streamline your COSHH compliance.
Conclusion
Promoting health and safety within the workplace is essential for any business that uses hazardous substances. By conducting COSHH assessments, you can identify risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances and take steps to mitigate those risks.
