What is a hazardous substance?
Hazardous substances are anything that can harm your health when you work with them if they are not properly controlled e.g. by using adequate ventilation. They are found in nearly all work places e.g. factories, shops, mines, farms and offices. They can include:
- substances used directly in work activities
e.g. glues, paints, cleaning agents
- substances generated during work activities
e.g. fumes from soldering and welding
- naturally occurring substances
e.g. grain dust, blood, bacteria
For the vast majority of commercial chemicals, the presence (or
not) of a warning label will indicate whether COSHH is relevant.
For example, household washing up liquid doesn't have a warning label but bleach does - so COSHH applies to bleach but not washing up liquid when used at work.
COSHH covers chemicals, products containing chemicals, fumes, dusts, vapours, mists and gases, and biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance.
COSHH also covers asphyxiating gases.
The Health & Safety Executive provides much more detailed, specific technical information summarised below.
Any preparation (mixture) that is dangerous for supply
Any substance which has a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL).
Any biological agents used at work.
Any dust other than one with a WEL at a concentration in air above 10 mg/m3 averaged over 8 hours, or any such respirable dust above 4 mg/m3 over 8 hours.
Any other substance that creates a risk to health because of its properties and the way it is used or is present in the workplace.
For more information about our hazardous substances please contact us or call the team directly on 01423 522836.
