Hazardous Substances

What does COSHH stand for?

• AComprehensive Occupational Safety Handbook
• BControl of Safety and Health Hazards
• CChemical Oxidation and Substance Handling
• DControl of Substances Hazardous to Health✓

Answer: COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) is UK legislation requiring employers to protect employees from risks of hazardous substances.

What is a hazardous substance?

• AAny chemical that comes in a bottle or a drum on the site
• BOnly materials that are classed as very toxic or corrosive
• COnly liquids, since solids and gases cannot cause harm
• DAny substance with potential to cause harm to health✓

Answer: Hazardous substances are those classified as having physical, health, or environmental hazards (e.g., toxic, irritant, corrosive, flammable, or damaging to environment).

What must be provided for all hazardous substances?

• AA signed receipt from the supplier kept in the site office
• BThey may simply be used as they come straight out of the site store
• CJust a warning label on the container, with no other information supplied
• DA Safety Data Sheet providing hazard information and safe handling✓

Answer: A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be provided for every hazardous substance, containing composition, hazards, first aid, safe handling, storage, disposal, and emergency information.

How should hazardous substances be stored?

• AAnywhere secure, provided the store is locked and the key held by a supervisor
• BTogether in one cupboard so that everything is in one place
• CIn appropriate containers, properly labelled, segregated from other chemicals, in a safe location✓
• DDecanted into glass bottles and left on a shelf in direct sunlight so the labels stay easy to read

Answer: Storage requirements include: suitable containers with proper labelling, segregation based on hazard type (incompatible substances kept separate), appropriate location, temperature control, and ventilation.

What is COSHH assessment?

• AA training programme
• BRecording an inventory of every chemical held on site and sending it to the supplier each year
• CTesting of finished products
• DSystematic evaluation of risks from hazardous substances and implementation of controls✓

Answer: COSHH assessment involves: identifying hazardous substances, evaluating exposure and risks, determining appropriate control measures, and implementing workplace precautions.

What hazard symbols appear on hazardous substance labels?

• AColour-coded bands that indicate the level of risk involved
• BSymbols are dispensable, because the written name of the substance is enough on its own
• CJust the one symbol, which is the same on every hazardous substance container
• DHealth hazard, corrosion, flame, explosion, oxidation, and other pictograms✓

Answer: GHS hazard pictograms show: health hazard (exclamation), corrosion, flame (flammable), skull (toxic), compressed gas, oxidation, and other hazard warnings.

What PPE might be required when handling hazardous substances?

• AGloves, respirator, eye protection, clothing as identified in the risk assessment✓
• BStandard work gloves and a dust mask, whatever the substance being used
• CEar defenders and a bump cap, chosen to suit the noise level on site
• DA high-visibility vest and hard hat, as worn elsewhere on site

Answer: PPE depends on the substance and exposure route: gloves (type depends on substance), eye protection, respiratory protection if airborne, protective clothing, and footwear.

What should employees know about hazardous substances?

• AOnly the name
• BA matter outside their concern
• CHazards, exposure routes, safe handling, emergency procedures, and what to do if exposed✓
• DJust whatever the manager tells them on the day, since the detail is held in the site office

Answer: Employees must be informed and trained on: substance hazards, routes of exposure, safe work practices, emergency procedures, first aid, and location of Safety Data Sheets.

What is 'occupational exposure limit' (OEL)?

• AThe largest amount of a substance that can be spilled without reporting it
• BMaximum concentration of airborne substance allowed without health effects✓
• CThe maximum time a worker may spend in the area each day
• DThe largest quantity of a substance that may be stored on the site at one time

Answer: An Occupational Exposure Limit is the maximum airborne concentration of a substance that workers can be exposed to without adverse health effects (set by HSE).

What is the hierarchy of controls for hazardous substances?

• ATraining, supervision and signage, backed up by PPE where needed
• BElimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE✓
• CJust provide PPE to everyone on site and rely on it as the main control measure
• DJust lock them away in a locked store and issue them only when they are needed

Answer: The hierarchy is: Eliminate (stop using), Substitute (use safer alternative), Engineering controls (ventilation, enclosure), Administrative controls (procedures), and PPE as a last resort.

What should be done if someone is exposed to a hazardous substance?

• AProvide first aid, remove from exposure, get medical attention if needed, report the incident✓
• BIgnore it
• CJust rinse the area with water and go straight back to work, since the effects wear off quickly
• DPunish the person

Answer: On exposure: stop the exposure immediately, provide first aid (wash eyes/skin, monitor breathing), seek medical attention if necessary, and report/investigate the incident.

What is 'dermal exposure' to a hazardous substance?

• AExposure by breathing in fumes, dusts or vapours released during the work
• BA skin allergy that develops after repeated contact over several years
• CContact with skin, potentially causing absorption or irritation✓
• DExposure by swallowing a substance transferred from hands to food

Answer: Dermal exposure means the substance contacts the skin, potentially being absorbed through the skin barrier or causing local irritation or burns.

In electrical work, what hazardous substances might be encountered?

• ANoise, vibration and ultraviolet light from the tools used on site
• BSolvents, dust, asbestos, oils, adhesives, and chemical cleaners✓
• CElectrical current and magnetic fields, which COSHH classes as substances
• DCopper and steel, such as the conductors and containment in the installation

Answer: Electrical installations may involve: solvents for cleaning, dust from cutting, asbestos in old installations, mineral oils in transformers, epoxy adhesives, and chemical sealants.

What is 'fume extraction' or 'local exhaust ventilation'?

• AA mask worn by the operative to filter the air breathed in
• BA system that is not effective and has been replaced by general ventilation alone
• COpening a window and a door to let the air move through the working area freely
• DEngineering control that captures hazardous fumes at source before inhalation✓

Answer: Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures fumes, dust, and vapours at the point of generation (near the source) before they can be inhaled by workers.

What should be included in a spill response procedure for hazardous substances?

• AWash the spill into the nearest surface water drain with a hose
• BJust mop it up quickly with whatever cloths are to hand and put them in the general bin
• CImmediate actions, containment, clean-up, waste disposal, and incident reporting✓
• DCall the emergency services first, then wait for them to clean up

Answer: A spill procedure should cover: immediate response (isolate area, ventilate), contain the spill (absorb, dike), safe clean-up, proper waste disposal, and incident investigation/reporting.