What are the specific risks for Substances Hazardous to Health?

A wide range of substances and materials are used or created at the University ranging from liquids, powders, gels, dusts, and micro-organisms that can be potentially harmful if not used or managed correctly.

Harmful effects from the use of or exposure to hazardous substances and materials can potentially lead to acute effects, for example irritants, dizziness, skin damage, or in some cases more serious long-term or chronic effects such as occupational diseases or conditions.

The University requires all substances hazardous to health and any harmful by-products from any process in the workplace to be identified and for a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment to be completed.

The COSHH risk assessment should identify the hazards likely to be present from the materials and the processes used, including those who may be at risk of harm from the materials and the process and how the risks will be managed and controlled.

The design of control measures should apply the ‘hierarchy of control’ methodology in deciding the appropriate management actions.

The COSHH assessment should be documented and reviewed periodically or whenever there are changes to the materials used, the processes or the control measures in place.

The management and control of Biological Hazards, GMOs, and Pathogens and Legionella and Water Quality apply the COSHH principals and fall within the scope of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

You can view the current University policy on the safe use of hazardous substances.

The use of particular hazardous substances for certain activities can attract specific statutory requirements and actions. A typical example is the use of pesticides on university premises. The university has to register its use of pesticides with the Health and Safety Executive, and apply rules to manage the environmental impacts of their use in addition to managing the risks to users and others who may be affected. 

This University policy is currently being updated and is open for consultation and comment. Please see link under the ‘What’s New?’ tab on this site.

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.