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  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Assessment
The law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances, therefore ensuring the health of employees is not put at risk. Employers have a duty of care to protect both employees and others who may be exposed, by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
COSHH Risk Assessment
Envirocare provides expert advice on the hierarchy of control, covering elimination, substitution, segregation, enclosure, LEV, PPE. We also provide an essential air sampling service to confirm the control of exposure.
COSHH Air Monitoring
Our services include measuring exposure to harmful substances and comparing these levels with the current Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs).
Hazardous substances are found in nearly all work environments, for example:
- Factories
- Mines
- Agricultural
- Laboratories
- Schools
- Offices
- Retail.
Monitoring can be undertaken for:
- Dust (wood, cement, flour, silica)
- Fumes (metal, rubber, solder)
- Vapours (solvents and isocyanates)
- Irritants (acid mists)
- Gases (chlorine, carbon monoxide)
- Fibres (glass fibre, ceramic fibre)
- UV light levels assessment (from printing machines).
Following sampling we can assess the current working practices and suggest ways of preventing or reducing exposure to hazardous substances by improving control strategies including other safety measures such as PPE/RPE and LEV. For downloadable information on COSHH and control strategies click here.
The Benefits:
- Improved productivity as a result of using more effective controls (i.e. less use of raw material)
- Improved employee health and comfort in the workplace, therefore morale
- Better employee understanding and compliance with health and safety requirements.
For general advice on COSHH, LEV and control strategies or to discuss your needs further please contact our Occupational Hygiene & Safety Services Manager, Andrea Beswick.
For contact details click here.
‘Can I take this opportunity to pass on the comments I had from the HSE inspector and her OH Advisor about your reports who said that they are well known for handing out criticism, but rarely give praise, so wanted me to let you know how impressed they were with the reports your H&S consultant prepared for us.’
Health & Safety Officer from a Bradford based quarry
Useful Links:
WELS
UV Printing Research
Uvitech UV Printing Project
Health & Safety Laboratory
UV Curing (reproduced thanks to Labels & Labelling)
Risk assessments
Case Studies:
A public sector company required a COSHH assessment and a noise monitoring survey to comply with COSHH and to the recently updated noise regulations.
A multinational manufacturer of circuit boards used hazardous chemicals as part of their production process and therefore was required to monitor fumes and irritants at the workplace to comply with COSHH regulations.
A leading public sector hospital trust required asbestos surveying throughout 3 large sites which involved over 30 buildings being surveyed for asbestos.
Health Surveillance for Exposure to Hazardous Substances - Spirometry
COSHH regulations specifically state that employers have a 'duty of care' to employees that are exposed to respiratory sensitisers because they are at a higher risk of a reduction in lung function from exposure to dust, fumes and irritants.
Envirocare provides a screening method (spirometry) to detect early damage to lung function from exposure to respiratory sensitisers and other substances that have the potential to cause serious ill health. For example, silicosis may be caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the stone cutting industry. These screening records may also be used to reduce liabilities in respect of industrial claims for compensation.
For further information about our health surveillance services please contact our Occupational Hygiene & Safety Services Manager, Andrea Beswick. For contact details click here.
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