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Home | Services | Services for you | Personal Injury | Accidents / injury at work | Accidents at work factsheets | Hazardous substances
Hazardous substances
28 October 2008
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can jeopardise your health.
Employers must protect their workers and others who may be exposed to chemicals or other hazardous substances by complying with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended).
Hazardous substances include:
- substances/chemicals used directly in work activities such as adhesives, paints and detergents
- substances generated during an activity such as fumes from soldering or welding
- naturally occurring substances
- biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms
When employers require their workers to use such substances, they need to consider the following:
- undertake a Risk Assessment to assess the risks to the health of their workers from hazardous substances used in or created by their work
- once the risks have been identified, consider the necessary precautions that need to be undertaken
- prevent workers being exposed to hazardous substances
- where it is impossible to prevent exposure to hazardous substances, adequately control any exposure
- ensure control measures are used properly and also safety procedures are followed
- carry out regular tests and monitor the exposure of workers to hazardous substances
- monitor workers health and to advise them, if they do suffer symptoms, to report them immediately
- prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents and incidents involving hazardous substances
- provide workers with full instruction and training in addition to protective clothing and equipment
Should you suffer an injury or health problems because of an exposure to a hazardous substance at work or near work, you may be able to claim compensation.
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Paul Morrison
Partner
T: 03700 86 3613
I: +44 (0)1604 54 3613
E: paul.morrison@shoosmiths.co.uk