Would you need to do a COSHH risk assessment for using chewing gum remover in a school?

Depends on the nature of the remover - heavy solvent to dissolve the gum or cryogenic liquid to set ot hard so it can be chipped away?

People often assume that if you buy something at their local Wilko’s it must be intrinsically  safe. Well that is not true and if you use anything for which falls into the category of Hazardous Substances you need to assess it in accordance with the requirements of COSHH. You don’t always need something that some people call a COSHH assessment. In many cases it might be acceptable just to include this in your more general risk assessment.

About 8 years ago, a cleaner poured something you can buy in your local shop, down one of those drains you see in changing room floors. If they or employer had done a COSHH risk assessment, they would have known the that active ingredient  in the cleaning liquid was caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, and that it was really important to wash away any residues. That would have prevented a 2 year old kiddie from suffering serious  chemical burns-see   https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/14/boy-left-with-third-degree-burns-after-falling-into-chemicals-at-swimming-pool_n_7352904.html      

No one has disagreed that if you aren't using substances hazardous to health, a COSHH risk assessment isn't needed.  The method described at #6  doesn't involve any substances hazardous to health, so clearly would not require a COSHH risk assessment.

Edited by user 10 November 2022 12:14:51(UTC)  | Reason: clarification

Originally Posted by: Evans38004

Seriously folks .... a COSHH assessment for removing chewing gum !!!

Place clothes in fridge, allow to solidify & chip off - easily found on google

Small company, no competent COSHH assessor - you will have to outsource this task!! 

Larger company with competent COSHH assessor - you want me to assess what????

So I am contracted to remove chewing gum from a wall or floor, how am I chucking that in the fridge?

I found that pouring liquid nitrogen on gum makes removing it easier still and if course its better that ice cubs and easier to transport around the campus than a melting of ice cubes. Unfortunately I was told that this is an unacceptable method: health and safety gone mad if you ask me!

Originally Posted by: Gerry Knowles

The problem can of course be easily resolved, a ban on chewing gum within the premises would do it. 

Theres an idea - just like they have banned mobile phones, short skirts, bad behaviour conkers etc in schools - it6s good to start the day with a laugh!