Many different hazardous substances are found in workplaces. They can be in the form of liquids, dusts, fumes or smoke, fibres, bacteria, vapours or gases.
Hazardous substances fall within a company’s activities with regard to health and safety. COSHH regulations (The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health ) deal specifically with the management of hazardous substances. COSHH regulations place a duty on employers to assess the risks that dangerous substances may present to employees in the course of their work (through being inhaled, ingested or coming into contact with the skin), and to others who may be affected by that work.
While COSHH relates to all health risks, a major concern is with inhalation of the gases, vapours, fumes and dust of substances hazardous to health, and workplace exposure limits (WELs) have been imposed on the use of some substances.
Companies need a COSHH policy that ensures they comply with the law. It is the responsibility of departmental managers, supervisors and other junior managers to manage the health and safety of their staff and anybody who may be affected by what they do. This responsibility cannot be delegated to a safety manager or safety adviser.