Hazardous Substances and COSHH Flashcards

Wet cement is classified as a hazardous substance under COSHH primarily because it can cause:

Answer: Dermatitis, chemical burns, and sensitisation due to its alkaline and chromate content

Wet cement is strongly alkaline and contains hexavalent chromium, which can cause irritant contact dermatitis, chemical burns, and chromate-induced allergic dermatitis with repeated skin contact.

When selecting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) under COSHH, what factor is most critical?

Answer: The assigned protection factor (APF) relative to the airborne concentration of the hazardous substance

The RPE must provide an APF sufficient to reduce the wearer's exposure to below the relevant WEL; selecting RPE without verifying the APF may leave workers inadequately protected.

What action should a site manager take if atmospheric monitoring results show exposure levels are approaching the relevant WEL?

Answer: Immediately review and strengthen control measures to prevent the WEL from being reached

Action to improve controls must be taken before WELs are exceeded; approaching a limit indicates that existing controls are inadequate and must be reviewed promptly.

Which legislation provides standardised hazard classification and GHS pictograms for chemicals in the UK?

Answer: CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging)

The CLP Regulation implements the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS), providing standardised hazard categories, pictograms, signal words, and hazard/precautionary statements on labels and SDS.

A site manager discovers a sub-contractor has been using a highly hazardous solvent not included in the site's COSHH assessment. What is the correct course of action?

Answer: Stop work with the solvent immediately and update the site COSHH assessment before resuming

Any hazardous substance not covered by the current COSHH assessment represents an unassessed risk; work must stop until the assessment is updated and appropriate controls are in place.

Lead dust and fumes are most commonly encountered in construction during:

Answer: Renovation and stripping of older buildings containing lead-based paint or lead pipework

Buildings constructed before 1980 often contain lead-based paint and lead pipes; activities such as burning, abrading, or cutting these materials release lead dust and fumes.

Under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, if a worker's blood lead level exceeds the statutory suspension level, the employer must:

Answer: Suspend the worker from any work liable to expose them to lead until levels fall below the suspension level

The Control of Lead at Work Regulations impose a legal duty on employers to remove workers from lead exposure once their blood lead concentration exceeds the suspension level, protecting them from further harm.