COSHH: Risk assessment
Contents
Steps in assessing risk
You must not carry out any work that would expose your employees to any substance hazardous to health until you've completed a COSHH risk assessment and implemented identified control measures.
A COSHH risk assessment covers the following steps:
- Assessing the risks
- Deciding on precautions
- Preventing or controlling exposure
- Maintaining and using control measures
- Monitoring exposure
- Carrying out health checks
- Preparing for accidents or emergencies
- Instructing, training and supervising employees
The COSHH risk assessor
The person doing the assessment should understand how the work involves using, producing, or creating substances that could be harmful to health. They need to have the right knowledge, skills, training, and experience to judge the level of risk and decide on the best ways to prevent harm or control exposure. They should also have the authority from the employer to collect all the necessary and relevant information.
More information
The COSHH Essentials' website gives free advice and has been developed for businesses to help them comply with COSHH.
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