Posted By Kate Gibb Andy - see the discussion started by Ash on the HSE Generic risk assessments. However you may not deem these to be complient! http://www.hse.gov.uk/co.../riskassess/engineer.htm I personally have seen few what I would deem suitable and sufficient COSHH risk assessments. There is no 'approved' method/layout for these, however the HSE COSHH Approved Code Of Practice provides some very useful information on what should be in a COSHH assessment. Sorry I don't have any other examples Kate

Posted By clairel The trouble is that we all have a different idea about what is suitable and sufficient (and also that is dependant on the substance. Bleach does not require the same level of assessment as say Acetone). No offence to the previous poster but that example COSHH assessment is longer than most MSDS's. It may possibly be the longest COSHH assessment I have ever seen. Very comprehensive. Fine maybe for some very hazardous products but I wouldn't want to fill that in for the run of the mill stuff. Also note that most COSHH forms I've ever seen are completely inappropriate for substances generated eg, wood dust. But that also requires an assessment.

Posted By Chris Packham I also have a reservation about the form, perhaps specific to my particular area of interest, which as most will know is skin exposure. Chemicals are hazards. The risk arises when we use them. When we do, then we often change the nature of the chemical, e.g. mix, react, dilute, contaminate, etc. Furthermore, chemicals can metabolise in the skin. So the resultant chemical we need to assess for is frequently not the same as the one on the safety data sheet or label. Furthermore, with irritant contact dermatitis this is seldom the result of exposure to a single chemical, but repeated exposures, possibly over a long period, to many different chemicals. So assessing the exposure to one chemical for one task, when the employee may carry out a number of different tasks with exposures to different chemicals, may lead to a false risk assessment. The risk from each task on its own may seem insignificant, but the cumulative effect could give risk to considerable concern. In any event, given that it is what we do in the workplace that creates the primary risk (if we don't do anything then presumably we will have no exposure and thus no risk)I would contend that any risk assessment must start with the task rather than the chemical. Chris

Posted By Chris Packham Philip I have a document that you might find helpful. It is actually the handout for a talk I gave recently to a local IOSH branch on "COSHH, CHIP and REACH". Let me have your e-mail and i will send you a copy. Chris