People in the work place are often exposed to substances which have the potential to damage their health. Many of these are present as a direct result of their use in manufacturing process, some are formed by the process itself. Others are used in maintenance activities such as cleaning. Some hazardous substances occur naturally, such as microbiological agents, which can cause diseases like leptospirosis (Weil's Disease).
This term includes any material, mixture or compound used at work or arising from work activities, which is harmful to people's health In the form in which it occurs in the work activity. Categories specifically mentioned are;
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substances labelled as dangerous (toxic, very toxic, harmful, corrosive and irritant) under other statutory provisions.
substances assigned an OEL or MEL.
harmful micro-organisms.
substantial quantities of dust, and
any substance creating a comparable hazard. |
A "substantial" concentration of dust is more than l0mg/m3 (8-hour TWA) of total inhalable dust, and more than 5 mg/m3 similarly of total respirable dust, where no lower value is given for the substance.
An employer must not carry on any work which is liable to expose any employee to a substance hazardous to health unless a suitable and sufficient assessment has been made of the risks to health created by the substance at work and about the measures necessary to control exposure to it .
This is an essential requirement, the assessment is a systematic review of the use of the substance present-its form, quantity, possible harmful effects, how it is stored, handled, used and transported as appropriate, the people who may be affected and for how long, and the control steps which are appropriate. The assessment should take all of these matters into account, taking care to describe actual conditions when assessing risk.
The employer must ensure that the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health is either prevented, or where this is not reasonably practicable adequately controlled.
Occupational exposure limits have been set (and are revised and updated yearly) for a wide range of substances. Where an MEL has been assigned, the level of exposure must be reduced as far as is reasonably practicable. The MEL should not be exceeded. For substances assigned an OEL, it is sufficient to reduce the level of exposure to that standard.
Employers providing control measures must ensure they are properly used, and every employee must make full and proper use of what is provided, reporting any defects to the employer and doing their beet to return it after use to any accommodation provided for it.
Those control measures which are provided are to be maintained In good working order and good repair. If the controls are engineering controls. they should be examined and tested at suitable Intervals. For local exhaust ventilation equipment, this is defined as at least once in every 14 months generally.
Monitoring of exposure must be carried out where it is necessary to ensure that exposure is adequately controlled.
Health surveillance is required where appropriate