Every firm in every sector has a duty of care towards everyone they encounter. Measures like the COSHH risk assessment are in place if a business works with hazardous solvents and other dangerous chemicals, identifying the hazards, who might be affected by them, and measures to mitigate risks.
Total compliance with health and safety procedures is mandatory for obvious reasons, incurring enormous fines for those that fail to meet the appropriate standards. Still, half-hearted efforts won’t suffice, and all compliance procedures must be performed with utmost care. The same is true for the COSHH risk assessment.
Though these matters can be complicated, they should still be dealt with competently. Here are the steps you should go through if you need help structuring your COSHH risk assessment.
Download a Free Template
A COSHH assessment is a procedural ordeal. The matters requiring your attention are well-documented.
That data can fall into your hands with a free COSHH risk assessment template HS Direct. It’s specially designed to help you identify and manage all the risks of using certain products. Using the template means you have peace of mind and no doubts about blind spots in your compliance procedures. Simply fill out your details with the form and have the template sent directly to your inbox.
Solutions like these should answer most of your queries about structuring your COSHH risk assessment. Moreover, their team of specialist consultants provide round-the-clock advice, so if you have further concerns, they invite you to get in touch.
Contact Suppliers
If you forget any of your knowledge regarding chemical risks, you need an immediate refresh. Of course, some people should know everything you’re keen to learn or relearn already – your suppliers.
Contact your suppliers for any clarifications you need. They should be forthcoming about the chemicals you’re dealing with, what they’re comprised of, and the associated risks. Moreover, they might be able to send over copies or clarifications on labels and safety data sheets that they might have.
Many firms are suffering weaker working relationships with their suppliers, but health and safety concerns trump any tensions that may be occurring. Whether things are tense between you and them or not, contact them directly and set aside any grievances until the data you need for your COSHH risk assessment is secured.
Consult Colleagues
Typically, the employer is ultimately responsible for COSHH in the workplace. That said, these efforts are certainly collective and can change subtly depending on the context.
COSHH risk assessments can sometimes be collaborative. For example, if you’re working at another employer’s premises, they too may also have COSHH risk assessment obligations. These circumstances require cooperation, so if you need help structuring things, they can likely get you back on track.
Otherwise, all of your employees and contractors should have some understanding of COSHH risk assessments. Health and safety officers are often appointed in business, but only a company-wide effort and understanding can ensure that safety procedures are followed completely. Workers should know how to access safety data sheets, how to perform emergency measures, and what procedures should be carried out when reporting faults. In the end, if there are any lapses in your memory, the people you’re working with should be able to remedy things.