Most can now be downloaded from company websites. It should be used to find out what the health hazards are. You can then set out how you are going to prevent harm to health and what control measures are needed to reduce harm to health. Then you can set out how you are going to control them. Often this can simply be with the use of good ventilation and PPE.
In addition it will also advise you on what first aid measures should be taken in case of exposure. Where in the location will the product be used?
This can be general, e. Do not use specific chemicals in new areas without updating the assessment. Which part of the body is the chemical hazardous to, e. This should take into account the way in which the chemical is used and stored. If possible a chemical which is less harmful should be used.
Advice should be taken from suppliers on whether alternative chemicals are available. If the chemical cannot be replaced controls should be used which will prevent as much direct personal contact with it as possible. For example, this might involve using the chemical in such a way that team members do not need to handle it directly, or using it in areas where team members will not breathe it in.
Some team members may be more likely to suffer harmful reactions to chemicals than others. The risk assessment should have identified how the chemical can affect employees, e. The best way of doing this is to ask, before team members use the chemical, whether they have had any problems like this in the past. For example, some team members may have suffered skin irritation when using cleaning chemicals in their home.
If possible, team members who may be at higher risk should not come into contact with chemicals. This may be possible through use of personal protective equipment PPE or it may mean not using them for a particular job.
All team members should be told to report any adverse reactions to use of chemicals to the duty manager. For team members with any history of adverse reactions in the past, duty managers must offer closer supervision and check that they are not suffering any adverse reaction. All team members must be given training before being allowed to use any chemicals but use of some chemicals may be restricted to certain individuals. Record details of any personal protective equipment PPE that should be worn when handling the chemical.
Any PPE that is used must be maintained in good condition and replaced if it becomes damaged. Team members must be trained when to use PPE and how to fit it correctly if it is not clear how to do this. Record what to do if an accident involving the chemical occurs. This should include first aid information and any specific information on firefighting or controlling spillage.
Team members must not be allowed to use hazardous substances without being given training. This will be recorded on training records on induction and annual refresher training Training will include:. A blood-borne disease is one that can be spread by contamination by blood. Body fluids are potentially infectious fluids putting team members at risk of infection. Precautions are required for all body fluids and as such, they should be treated as infectious.
Safety measures are required to be taken whenever there is potential contact between team members and non-intact skin e. The risk of becoming infected with a blood-borne or body fluid infection in the workplace is extremely low. If giving first aid to anyone who is bleeding, make sure that any cuts on your own hands are covered by waterproof dressings.
Wear waterproof gloves that cover your hands up to the wrist. After treating the person throw the gloves away and thoroughly wash your own hands.
Safety data sheets alone do not constitute a risk assessment , but are merely the starting reference point for such an assessment, as the SDS only gives you information about the substance itself — you must assess the risk from use of the substance in the actual work activity, including amounts, concentrations etc. The COSHH assessor uses this information so that they have the facts necessary to prevent and control exposure to these hazards.
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