Coshh Assessment - Limiting Exposure Using Control Methods

When completing a CoSHH risk assessment having failed to remove or lessen risks to a satisfactory level, then control measures need to be considered.

Control measures are always a combination of equipment and ways of working to minimise exposure. Such measures may include extra training, personal protective equipment, warning signage etc. In order to comply with CoSHH regulations, it is vital that control measures work and continue to do so.

There is a hierarchy of control measures which should be adhered to when deciding how to control the hazards and risks that have been identified.

The first measure is to eliminate the hazard or prevent the risk and use a safer one.

If exposure cannot be prevented, then the risk must be minimised by measures considered in the following order of priority:

Use a less riskier form of the substance, e.g. paste rather than powder.

Restructure and enclose the process to expel less of the substance.

Extract any emissions of the substance near the point of supply.

Have as few employees in harm's way as possible.

Provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Control equipment comes in a variety of forms such as, glove boxes and fume cupboards and spray booths and refuges.

The equipment should be supplied with a 'user manual' and should include schedules for checks, maintenance and parts replacement.

Any defective equipment should be fixed as soon as possible and checks and actions should be recorded for at least five years.

Finally, once control measures are put in place and are implemented accordingly, you must ensure that they keep working effectively.

A member of the work force should be chosen to be responsible for checking and maintaining control measures. This has to be someone who is competent and who knows what they need to do and are able to do it.

Checks will include: ensuring that the process isn't emitting uncontrolled contaminants, checking that the control equipment continues to work as it was designed and making sure that employees follow the correct way of working.

Two areas to consider where maintenance of control measures is critical are local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and personal protective equipment (PPE).

If your company uses local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to control exposure, then it must be checked and examined annually.

Personal protective equipment is frequently used as part of control measures. This control method will only be successful if the equipment is checked and maintained because should it fail, then the wearer is no longer protected and is then exposed to danger.

Whoever is responsible for the configuration, installation, maintenance and assessment of control measures must also possess the required skills, knowledge and CoSHH experience.