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The health act published in 1974 is what we must follow to stay safe and to prevent injuries or improper use of equipment 

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The health act published in 1974 is what we must follow to stay safe and to prevent injuries or improper use of equipment 

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For straightforward guidance on how to comply with the health and safety law, go to The basics for your business.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It's sometimes referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA.

It sets out the general duties which:

employers have towards employees and members of the public

employees have to themselves and to each other

certain self-employed have towards themselves and others

You can read the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in full on legislation.gov.uk.

You can find out about health and safety law in our guide Health and safety at work: criminal and civil law.

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Contains links to various pieces of legislation, as well as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

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The yellow line shows the safe area for exiting the building along with emergency fire exits

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The yellow line shows the safe area for exiting the building along with emergency fire exits

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This collection brings together all documents relating to fire safety guidance.

Fire safety guidance for different groups of people, inside and outside the home and seasonal advice.

For more information on fire and rescue services in England, including fire safety, careers information, your local service and a national overview, visit Fire England.

Fire safety guidance for inside and outside the home

Fire safety for parents, children, disabled people, students, Gypsies and Travellers

Seasonal fire safety advice

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Equipment safety is major in the workspace, each drill has a tape safety line and an emergency stop

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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

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Provides information on the Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH). Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put peoples health at risk.

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What is COSHH? Everything you need to know

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Depending on your industry, you may have already heard the term COSHH used in reference to health and safety procedures. If you've been left wondering exactly what COSHH stands for or what these regulations mean for you and your business, read on for all the information you need.

What does COSHH mean?

COSHH stands for 'Control of Substances Hazardous to Health'. COSHH is a set of regulations put in place to protect workers from ill health when working with specific substances and materials.

Breach of COSHH regulations by an employer or employee is a crime, punishable by an unlimited fine.

COSHH was introduced to control the exposure of a business' employees to hazardous substances. A COSHH assessment concentrates on the hazards and risks from substances in a workplace and asks questions such as:

Where is there potential for exposure to substances that might be hazardous to health?

In what way are the substances harmful to health?

What jobs or tasks lead to exposure?

Are there any areas of concern?

The COSHH regulations have been in place for more than 25 years, but the most recent iteration (2002) were re-enacted with amendments of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Work Regulations 1999.

What does COSHH cover?

The 'substances' part of COSHH includes any form of hazardous material, including liquids, solids, fumes, dust, vapours, fibres, nano-particles, mists, gases and biological agents such as bacteria and viruses. The 'hazardous' part includes damage to lungs, skin, nose, mouth, genes, internal organs, eyes or central nervous system as well as the risk of injury due to combustion or explosion.

Millions of people work in environments that bring them into proximity of hazardous substances, and the effects of mismanagement, poor safety and accidents can be fatal: 144 people were fatally injured at work in 2017/8. Exposure to harmful working conditions can also result in fatal diseases - such as asbestosis - which claim the lives of 13,000 people per year. Hazardous chemicals can also cause injury (541,000 workplace injuries were reported in 2017/8) and ill health (1.4 million workers suffer from work-related ill health. Non-stress or musculoskeletal disorders make up 56% of those). For example, there are 7,000 new cases of self-reported work-related skin problems.

There are many workplaces that have obvious risks - quarries, mines, metal finishers, woodworking and plastics factories - but there are many more that are less obvious such as cleaners, construction, automotive industry and even food preparation.

Workplaces must provide information/training and equipment to mitigate risk and injury, and employees must ensure they follow protocols. This often includes formal training - including the COSHH training course. The full responsibilities of both parties are listed below.

While the human cost is of primary concern, the cost to business is also huge, with 30.7 million working days lost in 2017/8 and a cost of £5.2bn due to workplace injury in 2016/7.

By following the COSHH Regulations, companies can save money and be more effective by reducing absenteeism and not having to replace trained workers. A healthy workforce means a healthy bottom line.

The best way to get a full understanding of what is and isn't covered by COSHH is to undergo appropriate training.

COSHH employer responsibilities

Employers have a number of key responsibilities regarding COSHH laws. These include:

1. Exposure - Employers must prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances. This can include the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary

2. Control measures - Implement control measures around hazardous substances and ensure these are maintained and kept up to date, in full working order and clean where appropriate

3. Instruction - Provide employees with information, instruction and training around working with hazardous substances

4. Procedures - Having procedures in place to deal with accidents and emergencies relating to hazardous substances

5. Surveillance - Ensure employees exposed to hazardous substances are under adequate surveillance

6. Risk assessments - Carry out COSHH risk assessments.

7. Limits - Ensure the use of hazardous substances doesn't exceed the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL).

8. Supervision - Check employees are carrying out tasks as they are supposed to.

Employee responsibilities

Employees have the responsibility to ensure that tasks are carried out safely to ensure no harm comes to themselves or others. These include:

1. Safety - Assist their fellow employees in creating a safe working environment. This can include supporting colleagues to abide by the regulations specific to their workplace

2. Procedures - Follow the procedures put in place to stop accidents and overexposure

3. PPE (personal protective equipment) - Wear the correct PPE including eye and noise protection.This includes ensuring all PPE is stored correctly in the appropriate place

4. Reporting - Report and record all accident, spillages and breakages

5. Check-ups - Attend medical check-ups when required to

6. Cleaning - Use cleaning and showering facilities provided by employers in line with official procedures

7. Training - Keep up to date with training provided by employers.

What are the COSHH symbols and their meanings?

There are nine primary hazard symbols relating to COSHH and this section will explain the COSHH signs.

While some of these signs and symbols are self-explanatory or have obvious meanings, others deserve more explanation:

Dangerous to the environment - Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to aspects of the environment - wildlife, plant life, people, weather systems.

Toxic - Chemicals that at low levels cause damage to health. When the sign includes a T+ in the top left-hand corner, it means chemicals that can cause damage to health at very low levels.

Oxidising - Chemicals and preparations that react exothermically with other chemicals - often resulting in combustion. Common oxidizing agents are oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and the halogens.

Corrosive - Substances that can damage or destroy other substances with which it comes into contact by means of a chemical reaction. These can exist as any state of matter, including liquids, solids, gases, mists and vapours.

Longer-term health hazards - This sign indicates the presence of a cancer-causing (carcinogenic) agent or substance with respiratory, reproductive or organ toxicity that causes damage over time (a chronic, or long-term, health hazard).

Caution - Caution relates to slightly less hazardous substances that may not pose an immediate or severe threat to health but should be handled carefully within the workplace.

Make sure you're COSHH compliant by taking COSHH training courses to ensure you and your employees work safely.

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What is COSHH? Everything you need to know

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Depending on your industry, you may have already heard the term COSHH used in reference to health and safety procedures. If you've been left wondering exactly what COSHH stands for or what these regulations mean for you and your business, read on for all the information you need.

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A list on names of people permitted to give first aid and mental first aid are listed as well as risk assessments and ear protection 

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A list on names of people permitted to give first aid and mental first aid are listed as well as risk assessments and ear protection 

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Redirect to Introduction to electrical safety

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Electrical safety is permitted as it is common and easy to keep management of

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Electrical safety is permitted as it is common and easy to keep management of

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Personal hygiene is important round a workplace around chemicals and oils to prevent infection 

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Personal hygiene is important round a workplace around chemicals and oils to prevent infection 

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Care must be used during use of machinery which are proved with safety instructions 

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Care must be used during use of machinery which are proved with safety instructions 

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All tools are electrical or gas powered and must be used under supervision 

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All tools are electrical or gas powered and must be used under supervision 

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Tool Safety - Health Safety & Environment

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Portable, bench or floor mounted power tools and equipment need routine maintenance, inspection and adjustments to ensure safe operation. Tool bits, blades and other changeable parts must be kept sharp and free from damage. Electrical systems, belts & pulleys and gears must be properly guarded to prevent exposing employees to hazards.

Tool General Safety Precautions:

Employees who use hand and power tools and who are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, or exposed to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the particular personal equipment necessary to protect them from the hazard. All hazards involved in the use of tools can be prevented by following five basic safety rules:

Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

Use the right tool for the job.

Examine each tool for damage before use.

Operate according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Provide and use the proper protective equipment.

Hand Tools:

Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.Some examples:

* Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly, hitting the user or other employees.

* If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or another worker.

* A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip.

* Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if they have mushroomed heads.

The heads might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments flying.Appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools.Floors shall be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools.Around flammable substances, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide for safety.

Basic tips when using hand tools:

Always provide training on how to choose the right tool for the job, how to correctly use each tool, and how to identify when tools need repair.

Select the right tool for the job. Substitutes increase the chance of having an accident.

Use tools designed to allow wrist to stay straight. Avoid using hand tools with your wrist bent.

Ensure that employees are properly trained in the safe use of hand tools.

Use good quality tools.

Keep tools in good condition at all times.

Inspect tools for defects before use. Replace or repair defective tools.

Keep cutting tools sharp and cover sharp edges with suitable covering to protect the tool and to prevent injuries from unintended contact.

Replace cracked, splintered, or broken handles on files, hammers, screwdrivers, or sledges.

Ensure that the handles of tools like hammers and axes fit tightly into the head of the tool.

Replace worn jaws on wrenches, pipe tools and pliers.

Redress burred or mushroomed heads of striking tools.

Pull on a wrench or pliers. Never push unless you hold the tool with your palm open.

Point sharp tools (e.g., saws, chisels, knives) laying on benches away from aisles and handles should not extend over the edge of the bench top.

Maintain tools carefully. Keep them clean and dry, and store them properly after each use.

Carry tools in a sturdy tool box to and from the work site.

Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) and well-fitting gloves appropriate for the hazards to which you may be exposed when doing various tasks.

Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter which may cause accidents.

Use a heavy belt or apron and hang tools at your sides, not behind your back.

Power Tool Precautions:

Power tools can be hazardous when improperly used. There are several types of power tools, based on the power source they use: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated.The following general precautions should be observed by power tool users:

The following general precautions shall be observed by power tool users:

Never carry a tool by the cord or hose;

Never remove prongs from any cords;

Never stand in or near water when using tools;

Always use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) with electrical tools if working in a wet environment;

Never "yank" the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle;

Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil and sharp edges;

Replace all frayed and/or damaged extension cords. Do not try to tape cords;

Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing and when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters;

All observers shall be kept at a safe distance away from the work area;

Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool;

Avoid accidental starting. The worker shall not hold a finger on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool;

Tools shall be maintained with care. They shall be kept sharp and clean for the best performance. Follow instructions in the user's manual for maintenance, lubricating and changing accessories;

Maintain good footing and balance;

Avoid loose fitting clothes, ties or jewelry such as bracelets, watches or rings, which can become caught in moving parts;

Use tools that are either double-insulated or grounded (three-pronged);

Keep work area well lit when operating electric tools;

Ensure that cords and hoses do not pose as a tripping hazard; and

All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed from use and tagged "Do Not Use". This shall be done by supervisors and/or employees.

Tool Guards:

Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded. For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts of equipment must be guarded. Guards, as necessary, should be provided to protect the operator and others from the following:

flying chips and sparks.

Safety guards must never be removed when a tool is being used. For example, portable circular saws must be equipped with guards. An upper guard must cover the entire blade of the saw. A retractable lower guard must cover the teeth of the saw, except when it makes contact with the work material. The lower guard must automatically return to the covering position when the tool is withdrawn from the work.

Tool Safety Switches:

The following hand-held powered tools are to be equipped with a momentary contact "on-off" control switch: drills, tappers, fastener drivers, horizontal, vertical and angle grinders with wheels larger than 2 inches in diameter, disc and belt sanders, reciprocating saws, saber saws, and other similar tools. These tools also may be equipped with a lock-on control provided that turnoff can be accomplished by a single motion of the same finger or fingers that turn it on.The following hand-held powered tools may be equipped with only a positive "on-off" control switch: platen sanders, disc sanders with discs 2 inches or less in diameter; grinders with wheels 2 inches or less in diameter; routers, planers, laminate trimmers, nibblers, shears, scroll saws and jigsaws with blade shanks ¼-inch wide or less.Other hand-held powered tools such as circular saws having a blade diameter greater than 2 inches, chain saws, and percussion tools without positive accessory holding means must be equipped with a constant pressure switch that will shut off the power when the pressure is released.

Tool Electrical Safety:

Among the chief hazards of electric-powered tools are burns and slight shocks which can lead to injuries or even heart failure. Under certain conditions, even a small amount of current can result in severe injury and eventual death. A shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface.To protect the user from shock, tools must either have a three-wire cord with ground and be grounded, be double insulated, or be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer. Three-wire cords contain two current-carrying conductors and a grounding conductor. One end of the grounding conductor connects to the tool's metal housing. The other end is grounded through a prong on the plug. Anytime an adapter is used to accommodate a two-hole receptacle, the adapter wire must be attached to a known ground. The third prong should never be removed from the plug.Double insulation is more convenient. The user and the tools are protected in two ways: by normal insulation on the wires inside, and by a housing that cannot conduct electricity to the operator in the event of a malfunction.

Electric Power Tool General Safety Practices:

Electric tools should be operated within their design limitations.

Gloves and safety footwear are recommended during use of electric tools.

When not in use, tools should be stored in a dry place.

Electric tools should not be used in damp or wet locations.

Work areas should be well lighted.

Powered Abrasive Wheel Tools:

Powered abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire buffing wheels create special safety problems because they may throw off flying fragments. Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it should be inspected closely and sound- or ring-tested to be sure that it is free from cracks or defects. To test, wheels should be tapped gently with a light non-metallic instrument. If they sound cracked or dead, they could fly apart in operation and so must not be used. A sound and undamaged wheel will give a clear metallic tone or "ring." To prevent the wheel from cracking, the user should be sure it fits freely on the spindle. The spindle nut must be tightened enough to hold the wheel in place, without distorting the flange.

Power Tool Safety Fact Sheet:

Powered Hand & Portable Tools - OSHA Standard 1910.242Other Portable Tools - OSHA Standard 1910.244Machine Guarding - OSHA Standard 1910.212Grinders - OSHA Standard 1910.215Portable, bench or floor mounted power tools and equipment need routine maintenance, inspection and adjustments to ensure safe operation. Tool bits, blades and other changeable parts must be kept sharp and free from damage. Electrical systems, belts & pulleys and gears must be properly guarded to prevent exposing employees to hazards.

Hazards:

Eye Injury from flying particles.

Respiratory hazards from dust & cutting fluids.

Personal Protective Equipment Check:

Eye protection- clean safety glasses & face shield.

Hearing protection for noisy machines & operations.

Hand Protection - Leather Work Gloves.

Use Proper Respirator when using cutting fluids.

Use Proper Respirator for task that produce dust.

Use proper gloves when applying any chemical.

Wear Safety Glasses when using hand tools.

For heavy work & tools - wear steel toed work boots.

Use anti-vibration gloves for tools that vibrate

Work Area Safety Check:

Not in traffic area.

No slip or trip hazards.

Keep tools off the floor/ground - prevent trips.

Rig extension cords above waist level.

Don't block traffic areas with tools.

Use warning tape to boundary work areas.

Keep work area clear of excessive material & debris

Pre - Use Safety Check:

Bench or Floor mounted tool is securely mounted.

Check switch not damaged.

Check to ensure there are no exposed wires.

Cords are free from work area

Guards are in place and properly adjusted.

Tool casing not cracked or broken.

Check grinding wheels are rated for higher speed than machine RPM.

Grinder tool rest gap to wheel is no larger than 1/8 inch.

Conduct "ring" test for all new grinder stones - ensure no cracks, breaks or chips.

Unplug before changing cutting tools.

Ensure power tools are grounded or double insulated.

Check electric cords for damage.

Ensure bits and blades are sharp.

Check hose connections for pneumatic tools

Operation Safety:

Use a safe position, avoid leaning or over-reaching.

Use tool rest - no free hand operations.

Dress wheels as needed to prevent buildup and over heating.

Stand aside from equipment when starting.

Keep hair, sleeves and jewelry out of work area.

Replace dull cutting tools.

Keep others clear of your immediate area.

Pass tools handle first.

Don't use tools in awkward positions.

Cover all sharp blades & tools bits.

Unplug before adjusting or changing accessories.

Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.

Disconnect tools when not in use.

Secure work with clamps or vise.

Remove all damaged tools from use.

pneumatic tools:

Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air. Common types of these air-powered hand tools that are used in industry include buffers, nailing and stapling guns, grinders, drills, jack hammers, chipping hammers, riveting guns, sanders and wrenches.

Use pneumatic tools safely:

Review the manufacturer's instruction before using a tool.

Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles), and, where necessary, safety shoes or boots and hearing protection.

Post warning signs where pneumatic tools are used. Set up screens or shields in areas where nearby workers may be exposed to flying fragments, chips, dust, and excessive noise.

Ensure that the compressed air supplied to the tool is clean and dry. Dust, moisture, and corrosive fumes can damage a tool. An in-line regulator filter and lubricator increases tool life.

Keep tools clean and lubricated, and maintain them according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Use only the attachments that the manufacturer recommends for the tools you are using.

Be careful to prevent hands, feet, or body from injury in case the machine slips or the tool breaks.

Reduce physical fatigue by supporting heavy tools with a counter-balance wherever possible.

Handle air hoses:

Use the proper hose and fittings of the correct diameter.

Use hoses specifically designed to resist abrasion, cutting, crushing and failure from continuous flexing.

Choose air-supply hoses that have a minimum working pressure rating of 1035 kPa (150 psig) or 150% of the maximum pressure produced in the system, whichever is higher.

Check hoses regularly for cuts, bulges and abrasions. Tag and replace, if defective.

Blow out the air line before connecting a tool. Hold hose firmly and blow away from yourself and others.

Make sure that hose connections fit properly and are equipped with a mechanical means of securing the connection (e.g., chain, wire, or positive locking device).

Install quick disconnects of a pressure-release type rather than a disengagement type. Attach the male end of the connector to the tool, NOT the hose.

Do not operate the tool at a pressure above the manufacturer's rating.

Turn off the air pressure to hose when not in use or when changing power tools

Do not carry a pneumatic tool by its hose.

Avoid creating trip hazards caused by hoses laid across walkways or curled underfoot.

Do not use compressed air to blow debris or to clean dirt from clothes.

Click the below link to download tools safety related documents handsafety-hand-tools handtools-equipment portable-hand-power-tools
Power tools - Tool box talk

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Tool Safety - Health Safety & Environment

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Portable, bench or floor mounted power tools and equipment need routine maintenance, inspection and adjustments to ensure safe operation. Tool bits, blades and other changeable parts must be kept sharp and free from damage. Electrical systems, belts & pulleys and gears must be properly guarded to prevent exposing employees to hazards.

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Steel cap boots are a requirement in the workshop

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Steel cap boots are a requirement in the workshop

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NIOSH assigns skin notations. They describe what happens when chemicals contact the skin and directly damage organs or prompt the body's immune response. The immune response causes skin conditions like allergic contact dermatitis or skin irritation.

Occupational skin diseases are one of the most common types of workplace diseases. They can take different forms, such as:

Rash (contact dermatitis) caused by skin irritation

Rash caused by skin allergies

Skin cancers

Skin infections

Skin injuries

Other skin diseases

Occupations at Risk

Workers in multiple industries and sectors may face risks of absorbing chemicals through their skin.

Dermal Absorption

Dermal absorption happens when a chemical goes through the skin and travels into the body. Many chemicals used in the workplace can damage organs if they penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Examples of these chemicals include pesticides and organic solvents.

How fast the skin absorbs chemicals depends largely on the outer layer of the skin called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum provides a barrier by keeping molecules from passing into and out of the skin. This barrier protects the lower layers of skin. How much the skin absorbs chemicals depends on the following factors:

Skin integrity (damaged or intact)

The place on the skin where the chemicals are absorbed. (This includes features like thickness and water content of stratum corneum and skin temperature.)

Physical and chemical properties of the chemical

Concentration of the chemical on the skin surface

How long the skin absorbs the chemical

The surface area of skin that absorbs the chemical

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis, also called eczema, happens when the skin becomes inflamed from contact with a chemical. Contact dermatitis is the most common form of reported occupational skin disease. Research suggests that contact dermatitis makes up 90-95% of occupational skin disease cases in the United States. Common symptoms of dermatitis include the following:

Itching

Pain

Redness

Swelling

Small blisters or wheals (itchy, red circles with a white center) on the skin

Dry, flaking, scaly skin that may crack

Occupational contact dermatitis is often placed into two categories:

Irritant contact dermatitis involves a chemical directly damaging and inflaming skin. The damage often occurs only to the place where the skin absorbs the chemical. The following factors may cause irritant contact dermatitis:

Phototoxic responses (such as tar)

Brief contact with highly irritating chemicals (such as acids, bases, or oxidizing/reducing agents)

Mild irritants that cause damage over time (such as water, detergents, or weak cleaning agents).

Allergic contact dermatitis happens when a chemical that the skin absorbs causes the body's immune system to produce an allergic reaction. For this to happen, a worker must be sensitive or allergic to the allergen. When the skin absorbs the chemical allergen again, the chemical may cause an immune reaction that inflames the skin. The reaction can go beyond the place where the skin absorbed the chemical. The following factors may cause allergic contact dermatitis:

Industrial compounds (such as metals, epoxy and acrylic resins, or rubber additives)

Agrochemicals (such as pesticides and fertilizers)

Commercial chemicals

The symptoms and the appearance of irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are similar. Clinical testing (such as patch testing) is often necessary to tell the difference between them. Contact dermatitis can be mild or severe, depending on many factors that include the following:

Characteristics of the chemical

Concentration of the chemical

How often the skin absorbs the chemical

Environmental factors, such as temperature or humidity

Condition of the skin, such as healthy or damaged, dry, or wet

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NIOSH assigns skin notations . They describe what happens when chemicals contact the skin and directly damage organs or prompt the body's immune response. The immune response causes skin conditions like allergic contact dermatitis or skin irritation. Occupational skin diseases are one of the most common types of workplace diseases.

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Cotton clothing is required to protect students from a potential fire, as cotton is fire retardant 

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Cotton clothing is required to protect students from a potential fire, as cotton is fire retardant 