COSHH Awareness

Within this COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) training you will learn in detail about the risks that may be present in the hospitality industry, and specifically in relation to hazardous substances.

Your training will explore the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations and the steps you can take to reduce exposure. The material that you will study allows you to understand and undertake a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) risk assessment, identify and use the correct signage for your work activities and specific hazards and risks associated with the various hazardous substances.

Course Content:

The course is divided into 7 easy to follow modules which consist of:

COSHH Introduction – In the first module of the COSHH training course, you will develop a good understanding of what the regulations relate to, you should be able to identify hazardous substances and recognise the health implications of working with these substances. Students will also explore why COSHH is important and the obligations of employers.

COSHH Process – COSHH regulations state that employers must implement steps to remove or restrict exposure. In the second module of this course you will learn the seven steps in the COSHH process being able to recognise the importance of a risk assessment, understand how to take precautions to reduce the risk, explore how to implement control measures, put in place effective strategies to monitor exposure levels, carry out health surveillance and ensure that all employees are adequately trained.

Warning Symbols – There are various warning signs and symbols that can be used to identify hazardous substances. In this module you will understand the four different types of sign, differentiating between prohibition, warning, mandatory and emergency signs, understand the different colours associated with each sign and identify firefighting signs. The module will then introduce you to the importance of labels on chemical packaging and how you can identify these.

COSHH Legislation – As you study Module 4 you will learn about the various pieces of legislation that relate to COSHH. You should be able to recognise the different pieces of legislation such as the Control of Lead at Work Regulations, Control of Asbestos Regulations, Ionising Radiation Regulations and Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations and understand when they should be used and how to ensure full and consistent compliance. Students will also study Approved Codes of Practice and employer obligations in respect of the legislation.

Hazards and risks – In the fifth module of this course students will learn about the hazards and risks associated with hazardous substances, looking specifically at health conditions and ill health. You will be able to identify how conditions such as dermatitis are caused and exacerbated by exposure to hazardous substances or how certain environments can cause conditions such as asthma. Students will also be able to work with RIDDOR and recognise the importance of safety data sheets and emergency procedures.

Risk Assessments – Being able to conduct an in depth risk assessment is an important element of the COSHH process. In this module, students will be able to conduct a detailed risk assessment, recognising the five steps; identifying the hazards, deciding who may be harmed and how, evaluating the risks, recording findings and carrying out a review. The module will also explore good practice and the hierarchy of control measures.

Monitoring and surveillance – The final module of the COSHH training course will discuss the importance of ongoing monitoring and surveillance in the workplace. You should be able to understand the importance of ongoing monitoring such as health surveillance and accurate recording and reporting.