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4 April 2005 - COSHH Changes Effective
Wednesday
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The new 8 principles of good practice for the Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (COSHH) will become
effective on Wednesday 6 April 2005.
A new occupational exposure limit has been introduced under the
new regulations, with maximum exposure limits (MEL's) and occupational exposure
standards (OES's) being replaced by a single limit, namely workplace exposure
limit (WEL).
Although all MEL's and OES's are being transferred to the new system as WEL's,
they will retain their previous numerical values.
All employers must comply with the new regulations from the
stated date and will be required to adhere to the following:
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Apply the 8 principles of good practice for the control of
substances hazardous to health (regardless of whether a substance has an
exposure limit).
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Ensure that the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) is not exceeded.
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Ensure that exposure to substances that can cause occupational
asthma, cancer, or damage to genes that can be passed from one generation to
another, is reduced as low as is reasonably practicable.
The HSE, after consultation, has agreed new limits for
refractory ceramic fibres and subtillisins, which will come into force on 6
April 2005 also.
Chair of the Occupational Exposure Limit Working Group of the
Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances, Mr.
Michael Topping commented:
"The new system is about clarifying existing duties, rather
than introducing new ones. Therefore, employers who currently comply with COSHH
will still be able to do so by continuing to apply good practice.
"However, small businesses in particular should benefit from
the explicit emphasis on the need to follow good practice and the provision of
good practice advice. This new approach will contribute to HSE's aim to reduce
the burden of ill health caused by exposure to chemicals at work."
Further information on COSHH regulations can be accessed by
clicking the following link:
COSHH ESSENTIALS
The regulations on the HMSO web site:
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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