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Health and Safety Legislation

 

COSHH

 

What does COSHH stand for?

 

Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations are designed to ensure hazardous substances are used, stored and disposed of correctly.

 

A hazardous substance is regarded as any substance which has the potential to cause harm. These include:

  • Chemicals

  • Fumes

  • Dusts

  • Vapours

  • Disease causing micro-organisms

     

Hazardous substances in a grooming environment could include:

  • Chemicals - cleaning products etc

  • Dust - within hoovers etc 

  • Biological Agents - germs / bacteria etc

  • Medication - strong flea treatments etc  

 

Under this legislation, business must assess all risks occurring as a result of hazardous substances. Risks must be evaluated and then decisions made to either remove, reduce or control the risks, therefore making the activity as safe as possible.

Employers have a responsibility to provide COSHH training, ensuring that employees can identify, measure and control their exposure to harmful substances.

Suitable control measures for working with hazardous substances could include:

  • Identifying hazardous substances in the workplace

  • Ensuring all staff are fully trained on how to correctly use the hazardous substances and the appropriate controls i.e use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Ensuring all hazardous substances are correctly labelled and stored according to manufacturers instructions

  • Safe disposal of the substance

  • Instructions are clear what to do in an emergency in relation to a hazardous substance

  • Any equipment required for handing or controlling the hazardous substance are available and well maintained  

 

COSHH Data Sheets
Safety data sheets are provided by the manufacturer of the substance and the information should be taken into account when creating the risk assessment. Data sheets describe the specific hazards the substance presents, how to handle and store the substance and emergency measures to carryout in case of accidental spillage or human contact. This is not the same as a risk assessment. Separate risk assessments must still be completed for hazardous activities.

 

COSHH storage

Some chemicals are incompatible – they can react together to form unstable or noxious compounds or can generate heat leading to the risk of fire. Classes of material must be stored correctly in relation to each other; oxidizing substances, for example, should be separated from flammable substances.

 

All hazardous substances must be contained in correctly labeled containers and should include any necessary warning signs. They should be stored out of the reach of members of the public and may have specific requirements such as out of direct sunlight.

 

Research common COSHH systems, you will be quizzed on these later.

 

 

 

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RIDDOR

 


RIDDOR stands for:

 

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

 

 

Reporting serious work place incidents to the Health and Safety Executive is a legal requirement. All reports should be made to the Health and Safety Executive within 10 days of the incident occurring.

 

 

 

Accident report books for minor injuries are not a RIDDOR requirement, however accidents which result in an employee being unable to work for 3 or more consecutive days should be recorded in an accident book. Examples of reportable injuries include bone fractures (with the exception of bones in the fingers, toes and nose), permeant eye damage and a burn which covers more than 10% of the body.

 

Dangerous occurrences are incidents that had the potential to cause injury or death but on this occasion did not, for example; an electrical fire or the collapse of a wall.  

 

 

 

Reporting diseases (RIDDOR or Notifiable)

 

Occupational diseases which are as a direct result of the work carried out should be reported under RIDDOR to the HSE. Examples of RIDDOR reportable diseases and disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational dermatitis and occupational asthma. A full list of reportable diseases can be found on the HSE website.

 

 

 

Diseases reported under RIDDOR are not the same as notifiable diseases. Examples of notifiable diseases which affect humans include measles, mumps and rubella. These human illnesses are reportable by health professionals under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010. These diseases are highly contagious and if not properly controlled can lead to epidemic outbreak.

 

 


Notifiable diseases in animals are listed in the Animal Health Act 1981 and should be reported to the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA) and include swine flu, foot and mouth disease and tuberculosis (TB). These diseases may be zoonotic, therefore pose a risk to human health or may be highly contagious and therefore need to be controlled.

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