COSHH Information, Training and Emergency Material

COSHH assessment information should explain what hazardous substances are present or may be encountered, what harm or exposure risks they present, any relevant workplace exposure limits, and the protective measures needed. A hazard is the potential of a substance to cause harm. A risk concerns the possibility that people may be harmed in the circumstances of the work, taking account of how exposure could occur. For example, a substance may be hazardous, while the risk depends on factors such as how it is used, whether it could be released, and who may be exposed. A workplace exposure limit is a limit identified for certain substances to help control exposure at work. Where an assessment identifies such a limit, workers need to understand what it means for their work and the measures required to prevent exposure reaching it. Read the assessment outcome or other information provided for the task rather than making assumptions from a product name or appearance.

Hypothetical example: A school assessment identifies a cleaning substance as hazardous and explains that exposure could occur during use. It identifies protective measures such as the specified way of carrying out the task and the PPE provided for that task. The worker's decision is to follow the assessment information and instructions, rather than deciding that the substance is safe because it is used routinely. The reasoning is that routine use does not remove the hazard or the assessed exposure risk.

A likely mistake is to treat the hazard and the risk as the same thing, or to assume that a low apparent risk means no protective measures are needed. Correct this by checking the COSHH assessment outcome: identify the substance and hazard, consider how exposure could occur, note any workplace exposure limit identified, and follow the protective measures specified. If the information is unclear or does not appear to match the task, pause and ask the responsible person at the school for clarification before proceeding.

Controls and PPE are protective measures selected or identified by the COSHH assessment. Controls may include the arrangements, equipment or working methods specified to reduce exposure. PPE may be provided where the assessment identifies it as necessary. The requirement is not simply to have controls or PPE available: workers must use them correctly and in line with the information provided for the task. This awareness lesson cannot assess practical fit, selection, maintenance or hands-on use. For those matters, follow the school's relevant arrangements and instructions and seek appropriate practical guidance before undertaking the task.

Hypothetical worked decision: A worker notices that PPE is listed in the COSHH assessment but is not immediately available at the task location. The correct decision is not to substitute a personal item or continue without protection. The worker should stop before exposure, check the task information and ask the responsible person how the identified protective measure is to be provided. This follows the assessment rather than treating PPE as optional.

A likely mistake is to assume that wearing any PPE is sufficient. The correction is to use the PPE specified for the task and follow the instructions given for it. Another mistake is to rely on PPE while ignoring other controls identified by the assessment. The correction is to use the complete set of protective measures described for the work. If you are unsure how a control or item of PPE is to be used, do not improvise; consult the relevant assessment, instructions and responsible person.

Workers should know what to do after an accident involving a hazardous substance, such as a spillage, and what to do in an emergency. The exact response depends on the substance, location and local arrangements, so this general course does not prescribe spill-response, first-aid, evacuation or other site-specific steps. Before work begins, look for the school's relevant COSHH assessment, emergency information and local procedure. Check who must be notified, how the area is managed, what controls are available and where to obtain further help. This is important because a generic response may be unsuitable for the substance or situation.

Hypothetical example: A worker sees a substance spill in an area used by pupils. The worker should not assume that wiping it up is safe or appropriate. The worker should follow the school's relevant local emergency or spill procedure, use only the controls and PPE identified for the situation, and notify the person or service specified by that procedure. The reasoning is that the correct response depends on the substance and the local assessment, and uninformed action could increase exposure.

Contractors working at the school need relevant information about the hazardous-substance risks and the controls used to protect people. The school also needs to establish whether contractors are bringing hazardous substances onto the premises and how those substances will be managed to prevent harm to school workers. In practice, a contractor should provide the information requested by the school about substances brought on site, follow the school's communicated controls and local arrangements, and raise any uncertainty before starting work. Site-specific decisions remain conditional on the school's assessment and procedures.

A likely mistake is to treat contractors as responsible only for their own employees or to assume that a substance brought onto the premises is outside the school's COSHH arrangements. The correction is to exchange relevant risk and control information and establish how substances brought onto the premises will be managed. Another mistake is to wait until an accident occurs before finding the local emergency information. The correction is to identify the relevant assessment and local procedure before the task begins.