CoSHH Risk Assessments - Do I need a Consultant?

CoSHH Risk Assessments - Do I need a Consultant

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It is CoSHH law for employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. HSE guidelines specify the identification of hazards in the workplace and the need to assess these risks.A CoSHH risk assessment concentrates on the hazards and risks created from substances in your workplace. It is a crucial step in the protection of your workers and your business, and will help keep your workplace within the CoSHH law.HSE guidelines stipulate that the only requisite for carrying out a CoSHH risk assessment, is that the person doing it is 'competent'.The CoSHH risk assessment should be completed by an individual with appropriate technical knowledge and experience. The person should also be able to assess the risks associated with work activities that involve substances hazardous to health.A competent person does not need to be a consultant, but can be and usually is an employee within the organization. It is not necessary that they are an expert. It could be that a group of employees become a 'competent' team and draw upon their own individual specialist areas.There are very few training courses which specialise in helping a person become competent in CoSHH. It is the manager's decision to decide who is competent enough to do the CoSHH risk assessment. In choosing the relevant person, the manager should look at the assessor's work experience and training records.The designated competent person should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the operations and substances in use.The chosen individual must be aware of their own limitations and should know when to request expert advice from other sources. Should they feel that they are unable to make a coherent and satisfactory assessment, it is crucial that they notify their employer of this. If they are still required to go ahead and produce the assessment, then they must ensure that they have voiced their objections and have noted their uncertainties.The CoSHH risk assessment is, at the end of the day, always the absolute responsibility of the manager, over that of the 'competent' employee. This responsibility also incorporates any controls that have been introduced as a result of the CoSHH risk assessment. If any legal action should come about from the assessment then usually this will result in the employer being prosecuted and not the 'competent' person.

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