Health and Safety

Health and Safety at work Act 1974

• The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (Re-interpreted in 1997)
• The Management of Health and Safety at work regulations 1999 (The Management Regs)
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations 1998 (Puwer)
• The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 (PPE Regs)
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH Regs).

All of these regulations and Management's are in place for a very valid reason. By law we should do everything reasonably practical to protect people from harm, we identify what is harmful by completing risk assessments, these are produced in 5 steps to ensure that we have made the most detailed response to the activities that we are planning to carry out to protect us. These 5 steps are listed below:

Step 1 - Identify the hazard 

• Look
• Check instructions
• Check COSHH

Step 2 - Identify who might be harmed and how?

• How severe could and injury be?
• What is the likelihood of any injury occurring? (Probability)
• Multiply the two figures to get a Risk Value

Step 3 - Evaluate the risk

• Decide on precautions, can I get rid of the hazard altogether?
• If No:  
• Try a less risky option, different chemical
• Prevent access
• Reduce exposure
• P.P.E
• Provide welfare facillities e.g Hand washing/ First aid

Step 4 - Record findings

Step 5 - Review and update risk assessments as necessary

COSHH ACT

• COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances by:
• Finding out what the health hazards are
• Deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessments)
• Providing control measures to reduce harm to health
• Making sure they are used
• Keeping all control measures in good working order 
• Providing information, instruction and training for employees and others
• Providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases
• Planning for emergencies

Most businesses use substances, or products that are mixtures of substances. Some processes create substances. These could cause harm to employees, contractors and other people. Sometimes substances are easily recognized as harmful. Common substances such as paint, bleach or dust from natural materials may also be harmful.