The COSHH legislation obliges employers to oversee materials which could endanger the worker's health. They can minimize or prevent employees' contact with dangerous substances in a few ways. First, they should research possible hazards, then assess risks. Implementation of safety measures, which curtail a potential harm, should be followed by making sure that workers use them.
After an implementation of safety measures is done, an employer needs to maintain them in a proper condition, train and guide his workers, monitor their health, if necessary. Finally, a company must have an action plan, which can be implemented in case of an emergency.
Some familiar substances, including paint, dust, or bleach, are harmful. Others are known to be unhealthy. Manufacturing processes create even more potentially risky chemicals. Most companies use substances or products which could injure contractors or employees.
Do you know which chemicals are utilized in your company? Which of those endanger employees? To find out, check product data sheets, question your supplier, or study trade press and web resources, like HSE's pages.
As you analyse the risk, consider how the manufacturing tasks expose employees to toxic chemicals. Are any fumes, gases or dust respired? Do chemicals have contact with employee's eyes or skin? Certain substances can harm through a punctured skin.
Certain chemicals irritate lungs, the nose and the throat, when inhaled. Other substances get absorbed in the lungs, and then injure various body parts, such as a liver.
The skin can be contaminated when directly touching a harmful substance. Workers may dip their hands in a compromised liquid, or get splashed by it. Airborne particles may land on them. Finally, chemicals can transfer by any contact with tainted objects. For example, protective gloves become the Trojan horse, when they get contaminated inside.
Employees can transfer substances to their mouths, when they forget to wash their hands before eating or smoking at work. While certain types of a dust, gas or vapour merely irritate eyes, a splash of a caustic fluid may lead to the permanent damage of an eyesight.
Products, which are considered 'dangerous for supply', contain labels with symbols related to the particular hazard. Any supplier of such goods is lawfully obliged to procure a safety data sheet. Many substances, which are used on daily basis, such as bleach, fillers, paint or solvents, qualify.
Ask suppliers, how to safely handle cosmetics, pesticides and medicines, as the COSHH legislation does not cover them.
Is it possible to replace an unsafe substance with a better one? Perhaps a safer form of a chemical, such as a paste instead of a powder, can be used? This can reduce danger.
If a substance can't be replaced, contemplate tweaking the procedure, so that smaller amounts of a noxious substance appear. This can be achieved by blocking off the process to keep the product in, or extracting the discharge close to its source. Limited numbers of staff, using personal protective equipment, (PPE) will be safe. Remember that PPE such as respirators, coveralls or gloves must fit workers properly.
After an implementation of safety measures is done, an employer needs to maintain them in a proper condition, train and guide his workers, monitor their health, if necessary. Finally, a company must have an action plan, which can be implemented in case of an emergency.
Some familiar substances, including paint, dust, or bleach, are harmful. Others are known to be unhealthy. Manufacturing processes create even more potentially risky chemicals. Most companies use substances or products which could injure contractors or employees.
Do you know which chemicals are utilized in your company? Which of those endanger employees? To find out, check product data sheets, question your supplier, or study trade press and web resources, like HSE's pages.
As you analyse the risk, consider how the manufacturing tasks expose employees to toxic chemicals. Are any fumes, gases or dust respired? Do chemicals have contact with employee's eyes or skin? Certain substances can harm through a punctured skin.
Certain chemicals irritate lungs, the nose and the throat, when inhaled. Other substances get absorbed in the lungs, and then injure various body parts, such as a liver.
The skin can be contaminated when directly touching a harmful substance. Workers may dip their hands in a compromised liquid, or get splashed by it. Airborne particles may land on them. Finally, chemicals can transfer by any contact with tainted objects. For example, protective gloves become the Trojan horse, when they get contaminated inside.
Employees can transfer substances to their mouths, when they forget to wash their hands before eating or smoking at work. While certain types of a dust, gas or vapour merely irritate eyes, a splash of a caustic fluid may lead to the permanent damage of an eyesight.
Products, which are considered 'dangerous for supply', contain labels with symbols related to the particular hazard. Any supplier of such goods is lawfully obliged to procure a safety data sheet. Many substances, which are used on daily basis, such as bleach, fillers, paint or solvents, qualify.
Ask suppliers, how to safely handle cosmetics, pesticides and medicines, as the COSHH legislation does not cover them.
Is it possible to replace an unsafe substance with a better one? Perhaps a safer form of a chemical, such as a paste instead of a powder, can be used? This can reduce danger.
If a substance can't be replaced, contemplate tweaking the procedure, so that smaller amounts of a noxious substance appear. This can be achieved by blocking off the process to keep the product in, or extracting the discharge close to its source. Limited numbers of staff, using personal protective equipment, (PPE) will be safe. Remember that PPE such as respirators, coveralls or gloves must fit workers properly.
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