Dealing with Hazardous Chemicals 
If you use chemicals at your workplace, you are bound by law to comply with certain regulations to safeguard people's health. Humans who are exposed to hazardous chemicals without the proper care are at risk from a number of diseases, including asthma, cancer or dermatitis.
The storage and care of hazardous chemicals comes under the remit of The COSHH regulations, which require employers to control substances that can be harmful to workers' health.
COSHH covers numerous hazardous substances including:
products containing chemicals
- chemicals
- fumes
- dusts
- vapour and mists
- nanotechnology
- gases and asphyxiating gases
- biological agents (germs).
There are countless industries who are affected by the use of chemicals, from print and paper manufacturers to mills, farming, electronics, engineers and garden centres and many more.
COSHH requires that your company, if handling substances that may be harmful, undertakes an assessment to identify hazard and assess risk. For employers who are dealing with substances that are deemed dangerous for supply should be provided with a safety data sheet from the supplier.
A permit-to-work is required where high risk is assumed: this is a documented procedure that gives authority for people to carry out specific work within a specific time frame, clearly stating precautions needed to complete the work safely.
Uncertainty over handling Hazardous Chemicals
It is not always clear if a substance is hazardous but the penalties for handling and working with substances that are high risk are severe. Compensation and fines can be heavy, and the toll on human health high. It is essential that any substance that you believe to be a hazard is tested and confirmed.
The Environmental Testing Company has a long history of assessing and monitoring hazardous chemicals and can help and advise you and your business on best practice, in order to ensure that both you and your workers are fully protected.
Contact us now to discuss how we can help you work more safely.