Hazardous Substances

What does COSHH stand for?

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

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 in a bottle
• BAny substance with potential to cause harm to health✓
• COnly very toxic materials
• DOnly liquids

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?

• ANothing, just use them
• BA Safety Data Sheet providing hazard information and safe handling✓
• CJust a warning label
• DA price list

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 available
• BIn appropriate containers, properly labeled, segregated from other chemicals, in a safe location✓
• CIn glass bottles in direct sunlight
• DRandomly mixed together

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

What is COSHH assessment?

• ATesting of finished products
• BSystematic evaluation of risks from hazardous substances and implementation of controls✓
• CA training program
• DRecording chemical inventory

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?

• AOnly numbers
• BHealth hazard, corrosion, flame, explosion, oxidation, and other pictograms✓
• CJust one symbol
• DNo symbols needed

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?

• ANone, just work quickly
• BGloves, respirator, eye protection, clothing as identified in the risk assessment✓
• CAlways full protective suit
• DOnly safety glasses

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?

• ANothing, not their concern
• BHazards, exposure routes, safe handling, emergency procedures, and what to do if exposed✓
• COnly the name
• DJust what the manager tells them

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 amount you can spill
• BMaximum concentration of airborne substance allowed without health effects✓
• CHow much substance can be stored
• DThe price limit

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?

• AJust provide PPE
• BElimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE✓
• COnly training
• DJust lock them away

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?

• AIgnore it
• BProvide first aid, remove from exposure, get medical attention if needed, report the incident✓
• CPunish the person
• DJust wash and go back to work

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 through the dermis layer
• BContact with skin, potentially causing absorption or irritation✓
• COnly from tattoos
• DA skin allergy

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