HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

JRL Solutions Ltd helps clients meet the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). JRL Solutions Ltd advises clients on the prevention and control of exposure to substances hazardous to health. JRL Solutions Ltd carries out all types of air monitoring to determine personal exposures.

Every year, thousands of employees suffer ill health through exposure to hazardous substances by contracting lung disease such as asthma, skin disease such as dermatitis and cancer.

The routes that hazardous substances can enter a person's body include:-

• inhalation
• ingestion
• absorption
• injection
• aspiration

Substances hazardous to health are defined as:-

• those listed within the approved supply list as dangerous for supply and which are specified as very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant
• those for which an approved workplace exposure limit has been set
• biological agents
• dusts of any kind above defined limits for total inhalable or respirable dust except where they are listed as dangerous for supply, have an approved workplace exposure limit or are biological agents 
• other substances which create a risk to health because of their chemical or toxicological properties

Biological agents include:-

• micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi
• parasites
• microscopic infectious forms of larger parasites

Substances hazardous to health include:-

• asphyxiants
• carcinogens
• mutagens
• asthmagens

Where employees are exposed to substances hazardous to health employers must:-

• carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risk to include the measures required to meet the standards within the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended)

The assessment must include:-

• the hazardous properties of the substance
• appropriate information on the health effects of the substance
• the level, type and duration of exposure
• the circumstances of the work including quantities of the substance
• consideration of potential high exposures such as maintenance
• relevant workplace exposure limits or occupational exposure limits
• the effects of preventative and control measures
• results of health surveillance
• results of any exposure monitoring carried out
• the risk presented by exposure to substances in combination
• the approved classification of a biological agent
• appropriate additional information    

An assessment must be reviewed when:-

• the assessment is no longer valid
• there is a significant change in the work systems, equipment or procedures
• the results from any monitoring show it to be necessary

The risk to health from exposure to substances hazardous to health should be prevented by:-

• elimination of the substance
• substitution of the substance

Where prevention is not reasonably practicable exposure must be controlled in the following order of priority:-

• the design and use of appropriate work processes, systems and engineering controls and the use of suitable work equipment
• the control of exposure at source including adequate ventilation systems and organisational measures
• the provision of suitable personal protective equipment where control is not effective by other means

Additional specific control measures are required for substances which are carcinogens, mutagens, asthmagens and biological agents.

Monitoring for airborne exposures may be necessary when:-

• failure of the control measures could result in a serious health effect
• measurement is necessary to ensure that a workplace exposure limit is not exceeded
• it is necessary as an additional verification of the effectiveness of any control measure
• significant changes in quantity of substance, system of work, process or new equipment

JRL Solutions Ltd carries out all types of air monitoring.