Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Coshh) Policy

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Policy

1. Statement of Intent

1.1 Teesside University shall take appropriate measures to protect employees, students and other persons who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health, that are generated out of, or are used in connection with, any activity under the control of the University.

1.2 The University shall do all that is reasonably practicable to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) together with any other regulations referred to in the COSHH Regulations.

For the purpose of this Policy, a substance hazardous to health refers to any substance (including preparations) as defined in the COSHH Regulations, and attached as Appendix 1.

2. Risk Assessment of Substances Hazardous to Health

2.1 The University undertakes to assess the risks to health from possible exposure to any hazardous substances. Work which exposes employees or students to risk from substances hazardous to health is prohibited, unless, following a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks created by the work, the risks to health are reduced to an acceptable level.

2.2 The purpose of COSHH assessment is to prevent or control exposure to substances hazardous to health. Assessments shall be carried out by a competent person who is familiar with the relevant legislation and has a detailed knowledge of the process.

3. Control Measures

3.1 Deans/Directors/Heads are required to establish and monitor the operation of systems to provide and maintain any control measure, personal protective equipment, or any facility required by the Regulations.

4. Duties of Managers and Staff Supervising Students

4.1 Line managers and supervisors of students must ensure that staff and students are familiar with relevant safe handling advice and guidance, including, where appropriate, information, instruction and training about the risks of substances in use and the precautions to be taken, and that Risk Assessments and Substance Hazard Data Sheets and all appropriate protective measures are in place.

1 5. Duties of Employees and Students

5.1 Employees and students must follow all safe working practices, guidelines and instructions and use any control measures in the correct manner. Defects discovered in any control measure, device or facility, or any item of personal protective equipment must be reported promptly to their line manager or academic supervisor.

2 Appendix 1

A 'substance hazardous to health' means a substance (including a preparation) -

(a) which is listed in Table 3.2 of part 3 of the CPL Regulations for which an indication of danger specified for the substance is very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant.

(b) for which the Health and Safety Executive has approved a workplace exposure limit;

(c) which is a biological agent, including Legionella Pneumophila and other bacteria from the family Legionellaceae;

(d) which is dust of any kind, except dust which is a substance within paragraph (a) or (b) above, when present at a concentration in air equivalent to or greater than -

(i) 10 mg/m3, as a time-weighted average over an 8-hour period, of inhalable dust, or

(ii) 4 mg/m3 , as a time-weighted average over an 8-hour period, of respirable dust;

(e) which, not being a substance falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d), because of its chemical or toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk to health.