What should a CoSHH Assessment look like?

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A CoSHH assessment should...

Clearly identify hazards associated with the use of a substance or multiple substances;
Identify the task and the appropriate location where the task is being carried out;
Show who the risk assessor is and when the CoSHH risk assessment is valid until, demonstrating clear risk management;
Identify the hazard(s), people affected by the hazard(s) and the controls that are in place to prevent an incident occurring;
Make the risk of a hazard apparent to the operator;
Identify any Personal Protective Equipment requirements;
Identify emergency procedures, health surveillance and any specific information that may be required to protect the people affected;
BE CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE!

An example CoSHH Assessment produced using COSHH365 (v2.0)

CoSHH RISK ASSESSMENT

Assessment Title	Cleaning computer screens
Process	Office maintenance
Location	All offices
Assessed on	08 Oct 2009	By	Claire Byson
Valid Until	08 Oct 2010	Ref	EXAMPLE ONLY

Task Description

Spraying computer cleaning solvent onto computer monitors. Cleaning solvent is particularly hazardous and must only be used when the office is empty at night.

We are currently looking into substituting this substance with a less hazardous alternative however we are yet to find one.

If you learn of a suitable substitute in the future please let one of our health and safety advisors know and we will explore using it.

People Affected

Operator(s), Contractors

SUBSTANCE INFORMATION

(ID)	Product Name (Code)	Manufacturer	Hazard Symbols
(1)	Computer Solvent (1491)	Chem Distribution Ltd

KEY:

Danger to the Environment

Irritant

Extremely Flammable

SUBSTANCE USAGE

(ID)	Application	Area	Freq.	Qty.	Duration
(1)	Hand wipe	Computer screen	Weekly	2 sprays per screen	30 mins

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

BS EN166 Glasses

Rubber gloves

Use facemask if required

Coveralls

HAZARDS

RISK RATING: LOW (1-6) MEDIUM (7-14) HIGH (15-25)

LOW HAZARD (4/25)

Hazard Description	Severity	* Likelihood	= Risk
Irritant to skin, please ensure protective gloves are worn and glasses whilst in use.	Slight (2/5)	Unlikely (2/5)	Low (4/25)
CONTROLS: Keep locked away in cleaners cupboardWear gloves + goggles
IN EMERGENCY: Cold water, use soap if needed

LOW HAZARD (3/25)

Hazard Description	Severity	* Likelihood	= Risk
Solvent is extremely flammable and must be kept away from naked flames and heat sources.	Moderate (3/5)	Very Unlikely (1/5)	Low (3/25)
CONTROLS:
IN EMERGENCY: If fire out of control escape and break fire alarmTry to control fire using powder fire extinguisher in the office

LOW HAZARD (2/25)

Hazard Description	Severity	* Likelihood	= Risk
May cause drowsiness so please ensure the solvent is only used when the office is empty at night.	Negligible (1/5)	Unlikely (2/5)	Low (2/25)
CONTROLS: Open windows for ventilation whilst in use
IN EMERGENCY: If feeling very sick or faint please visit hospital Note: Report to occupational health before carrying out any further work

LOW HAZARD (2/25)

Hazard Description	Severity	* Likelihood	= Risk
Discard of empty solvent cannister in appropriate disposal bin. Hazardous to the environment.	Slight (2/5)	Very Unlikely (1/5)	Low (2/25)
CONTROLS: Never dispose of in general bins, use cleaners bin provided.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Report to occupational health department the following day if feeling any unusual symptoms.

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Client Testimonial - Sue King BSc MSc CMIOSH MCIEH, Group Quality & Risk Manager – Health & Safety
General Healthcare Group (www.generalhealthcare.co.uk)

COSHH365 V2.0 was implemented across the company approximately 6 months ago to replace an earlier substance based electronic system. I was particularly searching for software that focussed primarily on activities involving the use or generation of hazardous substances, which
was user friendly and adaptable to meet our organisational needs.

COSHH365 V2.0 has met all our expectations. Staff have reported that it's easy to use and follow; product safety data information is readily available on demand or upon request; the step-by-step risk assessment process is flexible and may be paused and resumed at any stage to suit operational requirements.

The published COSHH assessment reports are attractive with the correct balance of symbols and text, which provide straight forward understandable information that can be readily communicated to all personnel.

Inevitably, there have been a few 'teething troubles' primarily due to the transition from a substance to activity based risk assessment and the need for familiarisation with the software capabilities. However, Ethos Solution's Technical Support Team has been excellent, offering timely advice and practical tips to ensure optimum system performance. The company has responded positively to requests for assistance and openly welcomes suggestions for further system enhancement to meet individual customer requirements.

As a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner with other 25 years experience, I fully endorse and recommend this product as an effective tool for facilitating COSHH compliance.

Sue King

Client Testimonial - Colin Wehrle, Group Adviser Health, Safety & Environmental Risk
Virgin Atlantic Airways (www.virgin-atlantic.com)

Have recently purchased COSHH365 and upgraded to COSHH365 V2.0. I can highly recommend this system which allows you to generate high quality CoSHH risk assessments. The system is quick, easily navigable, flexible and allows assessments to be easily edited and published. The ability to access MSDS's saves time and assists in keeping them up to date.

Colin Wehrle

Client Testimonial - Iain Wood, Mitsubishi Electric Europe (www.meuk.mee.com)

I personally found the online tool itself extremely informative. It is easy to use, easy to follow. The steps are simple and a COSHH sheet can be very quickly outputted. Useful if someone has forgotten to do one. All of the hazard symbols and signage are there, and this is much easier than searching the internet and downloading them all. It outputs in a usable format that is colourful and pleasant to the eye.

Iain

You may want to check out these useful guidance documents from the Health & Safety Executive.

Working with substances hazardous to health

A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

Approved Supply List (L140 - 2005 8th Edition) (6 megabyte file)

A short guide to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations

Preventing contact dermatitis at work

How to find out if chemicals are dangerous

COSHH365 is an online tool for making life easier to produce a compliant CoSHH assessment whilst benefiting from a fully managed safety data sheet library. COSHH365 provides an effective CoSHH management system which alerts users when CoSHH assessments need to be reviewed.