Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations require all businesses to reduce risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace. The COSHH regulations apply to all types of workplaces, and almost all businesses use hazardous substances in one form or another. As a result, understanding and fulfilling COSHH responsibilities is essential for employers, employees, and self-employed individuals to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the workplace. This article aims to explore who is responsible for COSHH in the workplace and what employers, employees, and self-employed individuals need to do to comply with COSHH regulations.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations mandate that all businesses reduce the risks of hazardous substances in the workplace. COSHH responsibilities are shared by employers, employees, and self-employed individuals.
Employer responsibilities under COSHH include:
Assessing the risk of hazardous substances in the workplace
Implementing controls to protect employees from exposure to hazardous substances
Ensuring employees comply with control measures
Carrying out COSHH assessments, which are a legal requirement
Managing the risks of their own activities and substances
Employee responsibilities under COSHH include:
Complying with COSHH control measures provided by the employer
Understanding the risks associated with hazardous substances
Using protective equipment and clothing as required
Informing their employer if they identify any potential risks
Self-employed individuals have the responsibilities of both employers and employees under COSHH, except for monitoring and health surveillance.
COSHH applies to all workplaces, including remote or temporary workplaces. If employees work on another employer’s premises, both the employer and the other employer(s) have COSHH duties. It is important for all employers to cooperate and collaborate to ensure that all COSHH duties are fulfilled. Each employer is responsible for managing the risks of their own activities and substances, but they must also consider the impact on the other employer’s employees.
When working with other businesses, employers should share their COSHH arrangements to ensure that all employees are aware of any hazardous substances they may be exposed to. Similarly, employers should also be aware of any hazardous substances their employees may be exposed to while working on other business premises. Employers should provide sufficient information and instruction to their employees so that they can comply with the control measures in place.
It is crucial for all businesses to take COSHH responsibilities seriously to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and other individuals in the workplace.
