Health & Safety (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Policy Prepared by:
Terry Service, Chris Bedford
Responsible Area: Approval Information:
Date Approved: COMMITTEE:Approved By:
Sign Print Name
Version No:
1
Review Date:
November 2008
Reference to Standards for Better Health Domain
Domain 6, C20 Domain 1 (Safety) C 4d
Core/Development standard
NA
Performance indicators
Version No: Approved Date:
1. No of COSHH related incidents reported.
1 November 2006
CONTENTS Section No.
Content
Page No’s
COSHH Policy Statement
3
1.
Introduction
4
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Scope
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Aims and Objectives Management Responsibilities Contractors Training Health Surveylance Records Review
1 November 2006
4 4-5 5-6 6 6 7 7 7
CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH (COSHH) GENERAL POLICY Kirklees Primary Care Trust is committed to providing a working environment that promotes the health, safety and welfare of patients, staff and the general public. A key commitment to this programme is compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations including the provision of professional competence and adequate resources. In accordance with the Trust structure the Trust Board delegates to the Chief Executive, the Director with responsibility for Health & Safety and the Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor the duty of establishing the organisation and arrangements to carry out the Trust’s policy. The Trust will implement in full all its duties and obligations under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (1999) and any other relevant legislation, by safe and proper means to ensure the health and safety on Trust premises of all staff, patients, relatives, visitors and others undertaking duties on behalf of the Trust.
Signed............................................................................ Chief Executive Date............................................................................... Next review due date.......................................................
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CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH (COSHH) POLICY 1.0
Introduction Kirklees Primary Care Trust is responsible under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) for ensuring that systems of work involving substances hazardous to health are safe, as far as is reasonably practicable, for staff, patients and public. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999, (COSHH), as amended, the Trust is required to make arrangements to control the exposure of its employees to all substances that may affect their health, safety and welfare. In relation to the range of potentially hazardous substances in use within the Trust it will comply with the above legislation in terms of giving ongoing priority to ascertaining limited exposure to, and monitoring the use of, those substances
2.0
Scope The contents of this policy are binding on all staff employed by the Kirklees Primary Care Trust.
3.0
Aims and Objectives The aim is to ensure that no individual is exposed to avoidable risks to their health or safety resulting from substances used within the work environment. The primary objective of the COSHH Regulations is to control the identification, provision and safe use of all hazardous substances by ensuring that: 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6.
All substances used in the provision of the service are of the lowest risk available. The processes on which they are used, or from which they are produced, follow the safest possible procedures. The use of high-risk substances is reduced to, and maintained at, the lowest possible levels. The necessity for the wearing of protective clothing is regarded as a last resort when minimisation and/or elimination of risks and/or hazards cannot possibly be fully achieved. The safest possible working conditions and procedures are provided and followed. All hazardous substances are properly assessed and accurate records of assessment maintained.
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7. 8.
Adequate training and supervision is provided, as dictated by individual needs. All employees are provided with relevant information regarding hazardous substances.
4.0
Management Responsibilities
4.1
Chief Executive The Chief Executive is the accountable officer responsible for all aspects of H&S including the management of COSHH but may delegate the day-to-day management of these responsibilities to other Directors and managers within the organisation The Trust Board is responsible for the implementation of the required legislation under the COSHH Regulations.
4.2
Director with responsibility for Health & Safety The above will be responsible for ensuring that (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
COSHH policies and procedures are reviewed across the Trust. COSHH assessments are completed on a priority basis. Resources to rectify unsafe working conditions are allocated. Reports for the Trust Management and Chief Executive concerning COSHH issues are produced. Further action indicated within reports is followed up.
The Director will be advised and assisted in these areas by the Trust’s Health and Safety Advisor. 4.3
Trust Health and Safety Advisor Will be responsible for: 1. Supplying directors, managers and staff with advice, information and assistance on COSHH. 2. Designing and implementing training for staff in relation to the requirements of COSHH. 3. Ensuring that own knowledge and practice is kept up to date. 4. Obtaining technical assistance from all relevant sources including Estates and the Health and Safety Executive.
4.4
Employee Duties Under the health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Employees, so far as is reasonably practicable, have a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with their employer.
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Individual employees have the responsibility to acquaint themselves with the safety rules of their particular workplace and to use the facilities, training and equipment provided for their health and safety. Where necessary, safety and personal protective equipment will be provided for the benefit of employees and it shall be the responsibility of each employee to ensure the maintenance and safe working condition of all such equipment. It is the responsibility of all employees to prevent injury to, exposure and / or contamination of others by adopting safe methods of working and by following identified safe working procedures. All employees are required to follow the procedures for the reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences. 5.0
Contractors (Non-NHS) It shall be the responsibility of all managers who commission, support and manage independent contractors ensure that: 1. 2. 3.
6.0
This Policy is brought to the attention of all independent contractors. That independent contractors are aware of their legal responsibilities regarding COSHH. That independent contractors make suitable provision for protection against unauthorised intrusion to all work areas involving hazardous substances, processes or activities, and to ensure adequate provision for the protection of all other persons in the close vicinity of such work areas.
Training All staff will receive appropriate training on the requirements of COSHH. This will include: (a) b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
7.0
An appreciation of the COSHH Regulations (1999) As Amended An understanding of the purpose and goals of the Regulations. A knowledge of which substances are covered by the Regulations and which are not. An understanding of their role and responsibilities under COSHH. Familiarity with hazard warning symbols and package labelling. Understanding of safe working procedures and processes. Understanding of safe storage, handling, use and disposal of newly introduced hazardous substances.
Health Surveillance It will be the responsibility of each manager to ensure that employees who are, or are liable to be, exposed to a substance hazardous to health, are kept under suitable health surveillance. Where necessary, managers should seek Version No: Approved Date:
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advice from more senior managers or directors, Health and Safety Adviser, Occupational Health or risk management. The purpose of surveillance is to: (a)
(b) (c) (d)
Protect the health of individual employees by early detection of adverse changes that might be attributed to exposure to substances hazardous to health. Assist in the evaluation of control measures. Collect, maintain and use data for the detection and evaluation of hazards to health. Assess, as appropriate, the immunological status of employees.
Individual health records, with particular reference to substances hazardous to health, will be maintained by and stored in the Occupational Health Department. All such records will be kept for a minimum period stated within related Trust policy or national standards which ever is greater. The Occupational Health Department will carry out suitable health surveillance. 8.0
Records Suitable and sufficient records are to be maintained such that information is available as detailed within the policy. A comprehensive log record will be maintained of all substances, procedures and assessments as required by the Regulations. Occurrences of all incidents and accidents affecting and involving staff will be maintained and monitored. Records of both theoretical and practical training given to staff will be recorded.
9.0
Review This policy will be reviewed every 2 years or at a change in legislation or plant / equipment whichever is the sooner.
Version No: Approved Date:
1 November 2006