Are you using and storing your chemicals on site safely?

After a recent incident we would like to remind schools of the importance of carrying out COSHH risk assessments whilst following the principles of COSHH to meet statutory requirements.

It is not sufficient to simply supply a COSHH data sheet for each chemical that is used in your school or building, you must assess the risks to health for all hazardous substances present in the workplace by carrying out a COSHH risk assessment (DOCX, 494.3 KB). 

When completing a COSHH risk assessment, consider the following:

• Elimination of the hazard
• Consider the materials (e.g. cleaning products) that are used and whether you can replace a substance for a less hazardous one.
• Correct method of use for each product (e.g. does the substance require dilution)
• Consider processes which may give off hazardous substances (e.g. sawdust created by woodworking)
• Who will be exposed and how
• Who is using the chemical
• Exposure levels of substances
• Safe storage of substances
• PPE required when using substances/following processes
• Health surveillance (requirement for this will depend on exposure levels)
• Correct disposal of substances
• Possible changes to the use of a substance or a process and whether this changes the risk
• Existing controls (are they sufficient?)
• Monitoring and maintaining your control measures
• Review of COSHH risk assessment – (how often)

Adequate COSHH records must be kept and shared with those carrying out the tasks and control measures must be monitored and maintained. COSHH risk assessments must be undertaken by a competent person, this means that they must have suitable knowledge, training on the use of chemicals and experience in dealing with hazardous substances. Induction records showing that staff members have had the appropriate training in the use of chemicals should be kept and dated.

Information relating to the working safely with hazardous substances (DOCX, 81.9 KB) is available for schools on the KELSI website or on Safetynet for non schools premises.

For further information please contact:

KCC Health and Safety Team
Telephone:  03000 418456
Email:  healthandsafety@kent.gov.uk