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 - C.Wehrle, 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.

Regards,

C.Wehrle
Group Adviser Health, Safety & Environmental Risk

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.

Regards,

Iain

Client Testimonial

We have found the system user friendly and the efficiency of response to our request for SDS information when it is not in your database is fantastic. We have had need to call for assistance on one occasion and found the support we received was both friendly and helpful. The system really allows us to focus on creating a beneficial and detailed COSHH assessment and the end risk assessment report provides a visual and straight forward source of information to communicate to our employees....[read more]

- Joanne Blackburn, Graham & Brown Ltd (www.grahambrown.com)

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.