Hi folks, I need a sanity check please. How do other people manage to ensure they have sufficient COSHH information for users at point of use? We have a diverse number of chemicals based on site, and true to form the suppliers change their MSDS information on a regular basis. We manage to maintain our COSHH database however we are struggling to ensure all users of chemicals are kept abreast of the COSHH information. For the bulk chemicals its not such an issue, as we keep that information up to date and on site. However, how do we control Joe Bloggs who has just booked three aerosols of solvent cleaner out of Stores? I don't want to have to give him a copy of the COSHH sheet everytime he picks up a new can.

Apologies, I didn't make myself quite clear. The actual COSHH assessment - which in our case, does give specific information on how to undertake a task involving the chemical in question. We keep all MSDS information centrally and generate a COSHH assessment from that.

Does a change in the Data sheet actually alter the COSHH assessment? Your controls may still be valid so you will not need to change anything at the coal face. If the medical treatment has altered then clearly your need to ensure that the current data sheet accompanies any casualty should the worst case scenario occur. If the assessment has changed resulting in a fundamental change in the safe system of work needed then what clearly the staff will need the relevant information and possibly retraining. What's your normal procedure for changing systems of work?

If Joe Bloggs pops into the stores for the three aerosols of solvent cleaner why not have a folder at the stores with COSHH RAs in them. Joe rocks up. Asks for Product X. The store man hands over the risk assessment for Joe to read and sign. Any special equipment pertaining to control measures are handed out then. A WPT is then carried out on COSSH / Risk Assessments etc.

Control measures, such as PPE, are included on the MSDS. However, a MSDS on its own must not be used as a Risk Assessment.

A Kurdziel - spot on. The MSDS alone is useless - This information is put together without knowing how YOU actually use the substance and in what quantities and where! Do you pour/decant/spray/bath/swim in it? 5/10/15/20 litres at a time Inside/outside Your TASK has all the answers.

To comment on a previous posting, you would be very unwise to rely on the information on PPE on a safety data sheet. In my experience, particularly with gloves, this is almost always inadequate and often completely wrong. In any event, it is completely irrelevant. As others have already commented, the PPE that is really required will depend upon the nature of the real chemical hazard that arises when the chemical is used and the actual, or potential, level of exposure. In some cases the specific chemical may require a full, category III glove used for only a short period, in others protection for the same chemical may be adequate using only a category I glove as splash protection. It all depends. I worry that with COSHH the emphasis seems to be on the word 'substances' rather than on 'control'. Yet what COSHH is about is controlling exposure such that the potential for damage to health can be 'adequately controlled'. Given the emphasis on control, it should be obvious that it is the task and how to carry this out safely that should be the information provided for the employee. Different tasks may require different procedures and different control measures (PPE, etc.).