C.O.S.H.

H
Promoting the Safe
Use of Chemicals in Cleaning

C.O.S.H.H Awareness Training

By
Power Hygiene
 What is C.O.S.H.H?

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Aim of COSHH?
To protect people against risks to their health, whether immediate or delayed, from
substances hazardous to health arising from a work activity.
COSHH is a legal objective and requirement.
It is there to enforce and raise safety standards in the workplace.
It is there to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents involving chemicals and
other hazardous substances.

COSHH is based on identifying the hazard of a substance and then determining the
risk
 Case Studies
School cook can hardly Walk

Summary
A 46-year-old school cook developed breathing problems after working with flour in
the school kitchen. The room was small with poor ventilation.
Her breathing problems became so severe that she could hardly walk. She had to
sleep sitting up.
Her daily job included dough making in a large mixer. There were no controls for the
flour dust.
HSE investigation
The cook contacted her union, which supported her with a compensation claim on
the basis that decent working conditions were not provided.
The council admitted that it had not taken sufficient action over the problem
despite repeated complaints. HSE was not involved.
Effects
The cook became severely asthmatic. She had to retire early on health grounds, and
the courts eventually awarded her 200,000 in damages.
But the money will not bring back her health. While she was able to move out of
town, she rarely leaves the house. She faces a very restricted lifestyle.
Details From Health & Safety Executive
Whats Wrong Here
 Hazards and Risks?

We need a strong product to properly and effectively clean the oven, so we cannot
mitigate or reduce the hazard of the task. However, we can manage the risk better,
By ensuring we wear gloves to protect our skin and goggles to protect the eyes we
reduce the risk of suffering harm.
If not..This may happen

COSHH is all about identifying the hazards and managing the risks
C.O.S.H.H Who is Responsible?

Everyone!
COSHH is everyones responsibility. We are all responsible for complying with
COSHH. Which falls under the scope of the Health and Safety at Work act.

Ignorance of the law is no defence and should your actions (or inaction) cause an
accident you could be charged with anything from negligence to manslaughter.
Therefore, it is important that you fully understand your responsibility not only
to ensure your safety and your colleagues safety, but also to avoid falling foul of
the law.
This may all sound rather alarming. Thankfully, it is really very, very simple to stay
legal and stay safe
Correct Dosing & Dilution
 CLP Regulation

The CLP regulation implements the United Nations Globally Harmonised System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in the EU. GHS is being adopted
worldwide to improve and harmonise worker and consumer safety and facilitate
global trade.

Some of the differences you may see are:

classification criteria and classification methods are different for some types of
hazard, so some chemical products may be classified more or less severely;
new hazard pictograms will replace danger symbols on labels;
new wording in hazard (H) and precautionary (P) statements will replace risk (R)
and safety (S) phrases;
classifications for both the CLP and the previous legislation on SDS, and label
information moved from Section 15 to Section 2 of the SDS.
 New Hazard Symbols

Irritant
Chemicals that may cause inflammation to the skin or other mucous membranes.
Acute Toxicity. Skin and eye irritation. Skin sensitisation. Specific target organ
toxicity. Reproductive toxicity. Specific target organ toxicity. Aspiration hazard.
 New Hazard Symbols

Respiratory Sensitisation.
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. Causes/may cause damage to organs.
May damage/suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. May cause /
suspected of causing cancer. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing
difficulties if inhaled.
 New Hazard Symbols

Corrosive
May on contact cause destruction of living tissue or burns.
Can attack and destroy skin, eyes etc. Concentrated solutions of strong acids would
be labelled with the corrosive symbol. Concentrated solutions of strong alkalis
would also be labelled this way. Anyone using a corrosive substance should wear
gloves and eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield.
 New Hazard Symbols

Toxic
Chemicals that at low levels cause damage to health
Anyone using a toxic or very toxic chemical would need to take great care. They
should wear gloves and eye protection, and they may wear a mask over their mouth
and nose or handle the chemical in well ventilated or specialist conditions.
 New Hazard Symbols

Highly Flammable
Chemicals that may catch fire in contact with air, only need brief contact with an
ignition source, have a very low flash point or evolve highly flammable gases in
contact with water.
Only a handful of actual cleaning chemicals fall under this category. This symbol is
more often seen on aerosol containers. The chemical itself may not be flammable
but the propellant that drives it out of the can is often flammable. Aerosols will
always carry a warning about avoiding sources of ignition, direct sunlight and heat.
 New Hazard Symbols

Explosive

Oxidising

Dangerous for the

Environment
New Labels
Safety Data Sheet
 First Aid
accidents can happen take the correct actions immediately.

Eyes
Rinse immediately with plenty of water, holding the eyelids open and seek medical
advice immediately if corrosive, irritant or caustic products, for all other
classifications seek medical advice if effects persist.

Inhalation
Remove from source of vapour or spray mist and seek medical advice.

Skin
Wash thoroughly, (for corrosive, irritant or caustic products seek medical advice)

Ingestion
Remove product from mouth, Never induce vomiting, if conscious give plenty of water or
milk to drink and seek medical advice..
What Time Is IT
 Question Time

The abbreviation COSHH stands for?

Control of slurry in hot hard water

Cast of shoes and hard hats
Control of substances hazardous to health
 Question Time

The abbreviation COSHH stands for?

Control of substances hazardous to health

 Question Time

It is important to use cleaning chemicals safely because?

This will produce better cleaning results

If incorrectly used all chemicals have the potential to
harm you
The chemicals will last longer
 Question Time

It is important to use cleaning chemicals safely because?

If incorrectly used all chemicals have the potential to

harm you

* Remember that all cleaning chemicals can potentially

harm you
 Question Time

Under COSHH employees have a responsibility to

Decide for themselves the best way to handle

chemicals.
Follow their employers procedures for the safe
handling of chemicals.
Ignore COSHH, because it is a law only to be followed
by employers.
 Question Time

Under COSHH employees have a responsibility to

Follow their employers procedures for the safe

handling of chemicals.

* COSHH is a law for both employers and employees to

follow.
 Question Time

A hazards symbol is a symbol show on cleaning

chemicals

Denoting the strength of a chemicals

Showing the capacity of a bottle
Alerting you to the potential hazards of a chemical
 Question Time

A hazards symbol is a symbol show on cleaning

chemicals

Alerting you to the potential hazards of a chemical

* Make sure that you know the meaning of all hazards

symbols
 Question Time

Which of the following statements are false

Manufacturers can pick and choose which hazards

symbols to display
Cleaning chemicals often show more than one
hazards symbol on a container
The smaller the hazards symbol, the lesser the
potential hazard
 Question Time

Which of the following statements are false

Manufacturers can pick and choose which hazards

symbols to display
The smaller the hazards symbol, the lesser the
potential hazard
 Question Time

You should refer to the instructions label on a chemical

in order to

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To find out where the chemical was made.
To tell you how to use the chemical correctly and
safely.
 Question Time

You should refer to the instructions label on a chemical

in order to

To tell you how to use the chemical correctly and

safely.

* Always follow the manufacturers safety instructions

 Question Time

By accident one of your colleagues has swallowed some

cleaning chemical. You immediately seek medical help.
Which of the following should you take with you.

A photograph of the container or bottle

The bottle containing the chemical
The COSHH sheet of the chemical
 Question Time

By accident one of your colleagues has swallowed some

cleaning chemical. You immediately seek medical help.
Which of the following should you take with you.

The COSHH sheet of the chemical

 Question Time

If you find an unlabelled chemical bottle, you Should

Ignore that it is unlabelled and use the chemical

anyway
Immediately tip the chemical down the sink
Bring the matter immediately to the attention of your
supervisor/manager
 Question Time

If you find an unlabelled chemical bottle, you Should

Bring the matter immediately to the attention of your

supervisor/manager
 PPE
Personal Protection Equipment

You must make full use of any Personal Protective Equipment which is provided for your
use. If you are in any doubt over the correct PPE required for a given task then ASK!
Never overlook your overalls as a means of protection. They may seem pretty flimsy but
they can protect you from all sorts of potential hazards. Be sure to use them as intended,
not with the sleeves rolled up to clean an oven, for example. And dont forget to change
them immediately if any chemical is spilled on them.

Gloves and gauntlets will give excellent protection of hands and forearms, even if you
do find them uncomfortable to wear.
Goggles are essential when handling any chemical which could spill or splash. You only
get one pair of eyes, so look after them.
In some situations it may be necessary to wear some protection on your feet. This may
be the case if you are washing down a waste disposal area, and run the risk of walking
through a solution of water and chemicals.
 The Golden Rules of Chemical
Safety

ALWAYS treat all chemicals with respect - familiarity can breed complacency.
AVOID personal contact with chemicals. Protect the skin and eyes. Avoid swallowing
/ inhaling.
ALWAYS wear protective equipment. Use eye protection, gloves, protective
workwear, etc.
ALWAYS obey instructions supplied with the chemicals - Refer to labels & safety
literature.
ALWAYS replace closures on containers.
ALWAYS store chemicals correctly.
ALWAYS ensure that safe systems of work are implemented whenever chemicals
are handled.
ALWAYS know the emergency first aid procedures.
Pay attention to the particular hazards of individual chemicals. eg corrosives.
 C.O.S.H.H
DO NOTs

mix chemicals unless specialised knowledge is available.

Leave chemicals in unmarked containers
Put chemicals into other incorrect containers
Leave chemicals unattended
Deviate from manufacturers instructions
Use chemicals you are not trained to use
Use any chemicals other than those approved
Store chemicals other than those approved
Issue chemicals to unauthorised persons
Indulge in horseplay.
Smoke, eat or drink near chemicals: use only designated areas.