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COSHH Assessment record keeping requirements
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Hello,
Can anybody confirm if there is a minimum amount of time that a COSHH assessment needs to be kept for - as a record, rather than when reviewed and updated as a live document.
I am aware of the requirements regarding health surveillance and air monitoring etc, but I am looking for confirmation as to whether you would need to retain the actual COSHH assessments that relate to such records for a similar amount of time?
Many thanks
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Super forum user
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With respect M is states that health surveillance records should be kept for 40 years. Assessments are not health surveillance. All assessments do is prove intention.
The discussion about how long to keep records for has been discussed many times and there are always different answers. It's not clear cut it seems.
3-5 years (for non health assessment / monitoring records) seems to be a good middle ground in case of civil actions and to provide company records.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Kimberley
Clairel is near the mark. Information given me by the HSE states: 'There is no specific time scale for the retention of COSHH assessments, the requirement is to keep the record for as long as it is valid (as with other risk assessments). However with regard to maintenance, examination and testing of control measures the ACoP states - Every employer shall keep a suitable record of the examinations and tests carried out in accordance with paras (2) and (3) and of repairs carried out as a result of those examinations and tests, and that record or a summary thereof shall be kept available for at least 5 years from the date it was made.'
The point about proof regards any civil action is well worth taking account of too!
Regards
Peter
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks very much everyone.
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi All,
This really depends on the nature of the substance and its effects. If this is high risk Substance, Asbestos, Radiation etc it would make sense to hold onto the COSHH Assessment for 10+ years due to length of time it takes to contact concerns etc. Retaining this information may offer you a fall back should the company be taken to court down the line.
The company I work for have a 12 year policy for this type of information including keeping the MSDS for this period also.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Darren Low wrote:Hi All,
This really depends on the nature of the substance and its effects. If this is high risk Substance, Asbestos, Radiation etc it would make sense to hold onto the COSHH Assessment for 10+ years due to length of time it takes to contact concerns etc. Retaining this information may offer you a fall back should the company be taken to court down the line.
The company I work for have a 12 year policy for this type of information including keeping the MSDS for this period also. Darren, Is quite right, the length of time that records should be kept depends on the likely health effect. For long tail diseases, eg cancer, records should be kept for 40 years. However, for other diseases such as silicosis and other similar lung diseases I would recommend 20 years and for asthma 10 years. Regards Adrian Watson
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