Posted By Paul Leadbetter Michael The data sheets tell you about the hazards of the materials but you need to assess how you use them. You need to assess the process rather than the material; if one process uses more than one material, they can all be included in the same assessment. Do bear in mind that data sheets are sometimes wrong so try to comfirm the information from another source, if you can. Paul

Posted By Peter MacDonald Hi Mike The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) or lables of products do not constitute a COSHH assessment although they will form the basis of one. On the face of it it does not appear that you're being asked to check up on anything too complex so use the data to compile a sheet that checks on the risks inherent in the product and the way in which the product is being used (application method/storage/duration of task etc). You might want to Google for a COSHH assessment template and use that as the basis of your on document. If you are dealing with any substances that have OEL's and exposure limits that require prescribing PPE and/or RPE for their normal use then check out your local area for an Occ Health comp who can do some personel and background monitoring of your people and come up with some mitigations. Cheers Peter

Posted By John Murgatroyd You also need to pay attention to the results of mixing your chemicals together accidentally. ie: Bleach (sodium hyperchlorite etc) gegenerates chlorine when mixed with hydrochloric acid. Since both these products are commonly used in lavatory cleaning the results of mixing them could, and has been, fatal.