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dourleye  
#1 Posted : 03 April 2020 09:28:13(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
dourleye

Hi, could anyone explain the difference between a COSHH Risk Assessment and a 'Fully worked' COSHH Risk Assessment

Thank you for any replies

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 03 April 2020 09:39:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics/assessment.htm

No idea where the concept of "Fully Worked" has come from unless this is a method of a customer/client/PC refusing a regurgitated SDS as a COSHH assessement.

Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 03 April 2020 09:39:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics/assessment.htm

No idea where the concept of "Fully Worked" has come from unless this is a method of a customer/client/PC refusing a regurgitated SDS as a COSHH assessement.

stevedm  
#4 Posted : 03 April 2020 09:46:32(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

There is a difference between a COSHH assessment and a Hygiene QRA which will look in detail of the task and expsoure...so perhaps that is fully worked...there are also assessments on the eventual fate of the chemical and which organs they eventually reside in....but as you can probably guess they go beyond normal COSHH assessor skills...

Kate  
#5 Posted : 03 April 2020 10:21:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I have never heard the term "fully worked COSHH assessment".

There are however two types of document that can validly be called COSHH assessments.

One is a record of the significant findings of the COSHH assessment.  This is ideally a short and easy to read document that tells the user what the hazards are and what they need to do about them.

The other includes a record of how the significant findings were arrived at.  For example what data sources have been consulted and what they say (this may not just be the SDS, but could include chemical databases, accident records, occupational hygiene test results, occupational health reports and so on), what consideration has been given to elimination and substitution, how the choice of specific PPE (type of glove, etc) has been arrived at and so on.

You might consider the second kind a "fully worked" COSHH assessment in that it shows the workings and not just the results.

Edited by user 03 April 2020 10:23:30(UTC)  | Reason: added another example

chris.packham  
#6 Posted : 03 April 2020 11:26:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

For a COSHH assessment for skin exposure to have any validity it has to be based on what happens during the task, the effect of this on the chemical and the resulting hazard (frequently not the same as is what on the safety data sheet), the actual, or potential, exposure (including any exposure control measures currently in place and their effectiveness) and the potential effect on those who might be exposed. This then forms the basis for a decision as to what further action, if any, is required to adequately control (note that for COSHH 'reasonably practicable' only applies to elimination of exposure and not to 'adequately control') the exposure. For me any risk assessment for COSHH has to be fully worked if it is to have any validity.

thanks 1 user thanked chris.packham for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 03/04/2020(UTC)
A Kurdziel  
#7 Posted : 03 April 2020 13:40:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

Typical COSHH assessment:

  1. Are any of the substances an Irritant, Harmful, Toxic,  Corrosive

Tick as appropriate

  1. Should employees wear suitable PPE YES or NO

 

By contrast a “fully worked” COSHH assessment looks at

  1. What are the hazards to health posed by the substances in question? This should be obtained from a variety of sources not just the SDS. Eg Carbon monoxide in a  garage comes under COSHH.
  2. What is the likelihood of exposure to the hazardous substances based ion the task being assessed: you always assess task not substances
  3. What is the most likely route of entry of the substances?
  4. Are any exposure limits likely to be breached as result on any likely exposure?
  5. What are the most effective controls to limit this exposure- clue substituting  the most harmful substances is the best control while giving people basic PPE is the least effective control
  6. What additional training, supervision etc   will staff need to enable them to apply the   controls selected?
  7. How will the effectiveness of the controls eg face fit testing or LEV  be checked
  8. Is there a role for health surveillance?
  9. Any emergency procedures if there is a spill or uncontrolled release?

Which is more meaningful?

thanks 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
Kate on 03/04/2020(UTC)
chris.packham  
#8 Posted : 04 April 2020 07:58:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

Post #6 states: 4. Are any exposure limits likely to be breached as a result of any likely exposure?

Note that exposure limits for chemicals only apply to inhalation exposure. There are no exposure limits for skin exposure and some studies have shown that airborne skin exposure at below the inhalation exposure limit can cause health effects where the chemical is able to penetrate the skin. So when attempting to assess the potential for damage to health due to skin  exposure to a chemical you will need to look to other sources to determine whether the exposure is acceptable or not. Since even water is a skin irritant (wet work/wearing of occlusive gloves is the most common cause of occupational irritant contact dermatitis) this is not as straightforward as many assume.

thanks 1 user thanked chris.packham for this useful post.
nic168 on 06/04/2020(UTC)
Centurion  
#9 Posted : 07 April 2020 17:37:49(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Centurion

Perhaps the reference to a 'Fully worked' COSHH Risk Assessment is just someone's way of describing a more involved one which would be undertaken for instance in a process involving the use of  various substances and their subsequent reactions to each other etc.? 

chris.packham  
#10 Posted : 07 April 2020 21:27:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

nic168 - if you would like more on the topic of skin exposure risk assessment and COSHH PM me with an e-mail address and I will e-mail you a Fact Sheet that I have produced on this. Chris

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