COSHH Chemical Database

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) are concerned with protecting those working with chemicals and biological materials from harmful exposure to their hazardous properties. Similar protection is also required for others who could be exposed such as co-workers, cleaning and maintenance staff, and visitors. The basic principle of COSHH is that the employer is legally required to carry out the following for work with every hazardous substance:

1. Assess the risks to health.
2. Introduce means to control the risk.
3. Ensure that the control measures are maintained.
4. Where necessary monitor the exposure of staff.
5. Inform, instruct and train staff about risks and precautions.

To assist in this the School has set up a COSHH database for the recording of hazard and risk assessment information. This can be viewed from any Chemistry computer with a link from the main Chemistry web page. At this time off-site access has been disabled. Additions can be submitted to the database and will be accepted or declined by a Safety Officer.

Each procedure/experiment that involves handling a chemical or biological hazard, must be assessed and recorded.

The information in this database forms the basis for assessing and controlling the risks from exposure. The application of the following principles is required by the COSHH Regulations:

PRINCIPALS OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE CONTROL OF EXPOSURE TO SUBSTANCES HAZARDSOUS TO HEALTH
• Design and operate processes and activities to minimise emission, release and spread of the substances hazardous to health.
• Take into account all relevant routes of exposure - inhalation, skin absorption and indigestion - when developing control measures.
• Control exposure be means that are proportional to health risk
• Choose most effective and reliable control options which minimise escape and spread of substances hazardous to health.
• Where adequate control cannot be achieved by other means, providing , in combination with other control measures and suitable PPE
• Check and review regularly all elements of control measures for their continuing effectiveness.
• Inform and train all employees on the hazards and risks from the substances with which they work and the use of the control measures developed to minimise risks.
• Ensure that the introduction of control measures does not increase the overall risk to health and safety.