Posted By Karen Todd Hi Barry, I know that the huge box of Bold I buy from the cash & carry to use in the house says, "MSDS available for professional user on request". Also, people who do a lot of washing up and have their hands in soap suds all day can get dermatitis. Most workplaces have a "cleaner's store" where all this kind of stuff is kept and segregated/bunded as necessary (depending on how much stuff you've got, how nasty it is, etc.) but maybe a small cupboard would be all that is required? It is important that people are given information, instruction, training, supervision etc. regardless of whether or not the substance is one that would also be used in their own home. For example, Mr Muscle oven cleaner is thought of as a 'household' product, but I remember seeing something on TV about how dangerous it could be if you didn't take proper precautions. I think it showed someone's skin that had been burned where their short gloves ended and it said that elbow length ones would be needed. Karen

Posted By Jack Look at the Section of COSHH dealing with interpretation, that explains all. Eg it includes: '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;' So, in practical terms, does the household chemical to which you refer have a hazard warning label indicating one of the above. For completeness you also need ensure it's not covered by one of the other definitions eg the one relating to dust in a substatial quantity (which would only apply if a person was exposed to it as a dust).

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Don't forget the catchall. 'Substance hazardous to health' means a substance (including a preparation)...which, not being a substance falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d), because of its chemical and toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present in the workplace creates a risk to health. Many household cleaning products can cause problems if used incorrectly, for extended periods, or without wearing gloves. What you do with these products in your own home is your own affair but, in the workplace, their use should be subject to risk assessment. Paul

Posted By Geoff Burt I came into H&S just after the COSHH regs were introduced and like PAT (Electricity Regs) and similar legislation there was a complete overreaction to them. My then boss banned such things as thinners for correcting ink (in those tiny little bottles) and other safety 'advisors' assessed such things as table salt and mustard in works canteens. Others talk about assessing CO2 and foam in fire extinguishers - imagine the instruction 'Before discharging extinguisher read COSHH assessment'. Many organisations have numbers of substances in the thousands. A client (a furniture manufacturer) has eight times more substances on site than employees. I would say the most effective approach is as already suggested but to look at those substances with the greatest risk first and deal with those. You may find by then that you never get round to the low risk substances so the question won't arise! PS: My response to the ban on ink thinners - you can always tell who is abusing it. They are the ones with white rings on their nostrils. Yeah, yeah, pretty poor. Please guys, that was a joke - OK?