Posted By Paul Leadbetter Simon From COSHH, a "substance hazardous to health" means a substance (including a preparation) - (a) which is listed in Part I of the approved supply list as dangerous for supply within the meaning of the CHIP Regulations and for which an indication of danger specified for the substance is very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive or irritant; (b) for which the Health and Safety Commission has approved a maximum exposure limit or an occupational exposure standard; (c) which is a biological agent; (d) which is dust of any kind, except dust which is a substance within paragraph (a) or (b) above, when present at a concentration in air equal to or greater than - (i) 10 mg/m3, as a time-weighted average over an 8-hour period, of inhalable dust, or (ii) 4 mg/m3, as a time-weighted average over an 8-hour period, of respirable dust; (e) which, not being a substance falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d), because of its chemical or toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk to health. However, the CHIP Regulations shall not apply to a substance or preparation which is - (a) intended for use as a medicinal product within the meaning of section 130 of the Medicines Act 1968[12]; (b) specified in an order made under section 104 or 105 of the Medicines Act 1968 which is for the time being in force and which directs that specified provisions of that Act shall have effect in relation to that dangerous substance or dangerous preparation as such provisions have effect in relation to medicinal products within the meaning of that Act; (c) a controlled drug within the meaning of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971[13] except that these Regulations shall apply to drugs which are excepted from section 4(1)(b) of that Act (which makes it unlawful to supply a controlled drug) by Regulations made under section 7(1)(a) of that Act. So, the drugs you mention will not be classified under CHIP but COSHH may apply! Paul

Posted By Chris Packham If you read Paul's statement, in particular definition (e) of a "substance hazardous to health", you should realise that all substances, even water, can be subject to COSHH. It all depends upon how the substance is "present or used at the workplace". This is particularly relevant for dermal exposure. If the use or presence is such that a risk exists of damage to health, then whatever it is, it becomes a substance hazardous to health and appropriate steps must be taken to manage that risk. In fact, water (as wet work) is one of the most common causes of irritant contact dermatitis and features frequently in my risk assessments for dermal exposure. (It would hardly be subject to CHIP, however.)

Posted By JWG Cytotoxic drugs are covered by COSHH because some are considered to be carcinogenic (see page two) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc615.pdf