COSHH in construction: common failures and how to avoid them

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations first came into force in 1988 when the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) first introduced them, although they’ve been updated several times since.

COSHH is essentially the law requiring the control of exposure to materials at work which could cause ill health.

Which substances are covered?

A number of things which are frequently found in workplaces could prove harmful to health, including dusts, fumes, gases, fluids, gels or powders or microorganisms, although some will not harm you when used properly. But anything from paints to cleaning products and other common substances can potentially be damaging.

Certain items are subject to their own regulations and so COSHH does not cover them, including asbestos, lead and anything that’s radioactive.

Potential risks are wide-ranging, including asthma and other conditions, such as cancer. Problems could vary from long-term lung damage to harm to the skin. Some chronic diseases may not be curable and could take years to appear, while other effects, such as stinging eyes or dizziness, are immediately apparent.

In the construction sector alone, the HSE estimates that historic exposure to harmful products at work causes more than 5,000 occupational cancers a year, and 3,700 deaths.

COSHH covers risk reduction through identifying hazards, harm prevention, control measures, planning and monitoring and emergency planning.

How does COSHH apply to the construction industry?

Consider the dangers of construction and you’d probably mention falling masonry or working at height.

But health risks are the biggest killer in the sector. After all, it uses its share of dangerous products, from plaster and concrete to paint and plaster and more, in forms including dust, fluids, sprays and fumes.

COSHH as it applies to construction covers:

• Identifying all possible hazardous items on a building site, including solvents, paints, adhesives, asbestos, wood dust and welding fumes.
• Carrying out a proper risk assessment to understand exposure levels and any associated dangers to health.
• Where needed, employers must supply staff with adequate PPE including safety goggles, gloves, protective clothing and so on, to protect them from potentially dangerous substances.
• Control measures also need to be in place to reduce exposure – these include, for instance, ventilation systems during welding or dust extraction equipment when sanding wood to minimise dust inhalation. Another example is the clear labelling of all chemical containers with safety information.
• Training and information in the dangers employees could come across in the course of their duties and, for example, proper use of PPE.
• Employers should also regularly monitor levels of exposure and control measures in the interests of COSHH compliance.

What are the most common failures?

 The most common COSHH failings in the building sector include:

1. Not identifying the hazardous substances

This should always be the starting point. That includes studying hazard symbols on packaging and thinking about dangers you may produce yourself in the form of dusts, vapours and fumes.

2. Underestimating the risks

Some products, like cement and paint, are so common it’s hard to believe they could be hazardous. But cement particles, for example, can lead to dermatitis, while silica dust from drilling or cutting concrete, stone and other materials or wood dust, may also cause health problems. So don’t underestimate the risks.

3. Failing to control dangerous substances

Anything hazardous that’s used or created in your workplace should be COSHH-assessed and exposure-controlled to reduce risk. Make sure you control the risks to keep exposure to safe levels.

You can do this via a COSHH register for harmful substances and by filling in data sheets and conducting COSHH assessments while introducing the right control measures.

4. Depending on PPE alone

You can’t just rely on PPE for your entire COSHH control – you should adopt a range of measures. For example, while gloves help protect against cement particle exposure, you can also use barrier creams and encourage proper hand washing.

EUSR-endorsed COSHH awareness training from Pragmatic Consulting

Take a closer look at Pragmatic Consulting’s half-day COSHH awareness training for construction and utility sites, endorsed by the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) to ensure compliance and industry standards. The course promotes effective control of the risks of COSHH materials and involves an onsite assessment plus oral, multi-choice and written questions.

With many years’ experience under our belts, we’re passionate about training and development and are market leaders providing tailored, flexible solutions for the construction and utilities sectors.

Get in touch to discuss your needs and book your course.

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