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Legislation Guide: Chemicals in the Workplace

• Health effects of chemicals

• Safety Risks

• Major Accident Hazards

Health effects of chemicals

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) requires employers to control exposure to hazardous substances to prevent ill health. The Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) leaflet 'COSHH a brief guide to the regulations' (pdf) sets out the basic principles of the regulations and explains the 7–step approach to compliance. The regulations are supported by the COSHH Essentials system which provides advice on controlling the use of chemicals for a range of common tasks. COSHH does not cover asbestos or lead. 

 

Safety Risks

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) came into force on 9 December 2002.
DSEAR sets minimum standards for managing the risks and protecting workers from fires, explosions and similar energetic (energy releasing) events arising from the use of dangerous substances. It applies to nearly all workplaces where dangerous substances are used.
DSEAR implements for the UK parts of the EC Chemical Agents Directive and the Explosive Atmospheres Directive (ATEX 137).

 

Major Accident Hazards

The Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (COMAH) implement EC Directive 96/82/EC (known as the Seveso II Directive). COMAHs aim is to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit the consequence to people and the environment of any which do occur. COMAH applies to approximately 1200 establishments in the UK which have the potential to cause major accidents because they use, or store, significant quantities of dangerous substances, such as oil products, natural gas, chemicals or explosives. COMAH applies at two thresholds the lower-tier and upper-tier, depending upon the quantity of dangerous substances stored.