Hazardous Substances at Work – What protection should you be provided with?

The law requires employers to provide adequate health and safety measures in the workplace under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

This includes personal protective equipment, when and where applicable.

A hazardous substance is a substance that is hazardous to health. Substances can take many forms, and include:

• Chemicals
• Products containing chemicals
• Fumes/dusts
• Vapours

If the packaging features hazard warning symbols similar to the ones below, it is classed as a hazardous substance:

What is my employer’s responsibility?

If you work with hazardous substances, it is your employer’s duty to ensure all regulations are complied with.

Hazardous substances are used and needed within a wide range of job roles where the job would not possible without the use of the specific substance.

However, safety of employees regarding exposure to hazardous substances cannot be satisfied without external protection. Personal protective clothing, along with other measures and company policies must be provided to ensure this high standard is met.

What are CoSHH regulations?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (CoSHH) 2002 state that every employer shall ensure that the exposure of his employees to substances hazardous to health is prevented, or if not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

This Law provides a duty of care to you, the employee. An accident at work such as spillage of a corrosive substance onto a person’s hands, which would have been avoided if company provisions to provide each employee with protective gloves, makes your Employer liable for avoiding this foreseen risk.

It could also be where you have been asked to use a particular cleaning product without the relevant training on how to use the substance safely.

Employers must carry out a risk assessment and provide protective equipment appropriate to the findings, the equipment provided should comply with the relevant provision set out in Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you have been injured by a hazardous substance at work, call our team today on 0113 200 9720 for a free initial consultation. Or contact us online here to discuss how we can help you.