Chemical Safety
Chemicals often have hazards associated with them, whether they be laboratory reagents, common cleaning products, engineering oils, woodworking dusts, or soldering fluxes. These hazards can be associated with fires or explosions, or can be due to the hazards presented to the health of individuals: for more information see hazardous substances.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH)
Chemical hazards to human health are regulated under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002, which require the safe acquisition, storage, use and disposal of of such substances, follow a simple pattern of:
- Identify the nature of the hazard - see Safety Data Sheets and Chemical Categorisation Tool
- Assess the risk - see CoSHH Assessment and General Risk Assessment
- Control the risk - see Control Hierarchy and Laboratories, Workshops & Associated StoresLink opens in a new window
- Review the controls
Acquisition and Storage
Before purchasing or acquiring any chemical the substance needs to be categorised and an assessment made as to whether the substance can be stored safely. An assessment also needs to be made regarding the availability of the required engineering controls (such as fume cupboards, glove boxes), specialist personal protective equipment and a suitable waste stream.
Use of Substances Hazardous to Health
A risk assessment must also be carried out on how the chemical might be used. This can be done as part of a general risk assessment, or in certain circumstances, using a CoSHH Assessment.
Substances with additional requirements
Below is a list of materials which may have requirements in addition to the substance assessment. Further useful links can be found in the right column:
Health surveillance is arranged via Occupational Health. Exposure monitoring is arranged via Health and Safety Services. In all cases a suitable current risk assessment must be provided. |
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Lead or Lead Compounds |
Lead or lead compounds might be disturbed, displaced or released into the atmosphere, whether that be through maintenance or research activities. Work with lead not liable to result in significant exposure
Medical surveillance when
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Vinyl chloride monomer |
Medical surveillance when this material is used, stored or polymerised. |
Ortho-tolidine and its salts. Dianisidine and its salts. Dichlorobenzidine and its salts. |
Medical surveillance when these substances are used. |
Carbon disulphide. Disulphur dichloride. Benzene, including benzol. Carbon tetrachloride. Trichlorethylene. |
Medical surveillance when these substances are used, or given off as vapour. |
Any substance/compound assigned a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) in EH40 |
Exposure monitoring when it is believed exposure levels are approaching half the assigned WEL |
Drug Precursors – (Home Office requirements) due to their potential for mis-use | |||
Controlled Drugs (Home Office requirements) | |||
Substances covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention |
Policy
Hazardous Substances (with link to Policy)Link opens in a new window
Dangerous Goods & Explosive Atmospheres (with link to Policy)Link opens in a new window
Explosive and Reactive Agents (with link to Policy)Link opens in a new window
Key Guidance
Purchasing hazardous materialsLink opens in a new window
Chemical Inventory Template (to support integration with LabCup)Link opens in a new window
Good Lab PracticeLink opens in a new window
Useful Links
LabCup chemical inventory systemLink opens in a new window
EH40 - Workplace Exposure Limits Link opens in a new window
Lead (with link to Policy)Link opens in a new window
Drugs and precursor requirements
Explosives and detonable substances
Laboratory and Workshop Gas Safety
Pharmaceutical materials not covered by controlled drugs legislation