Respiratory Hazards & COSHH Flashcards

What does COSHH stand for?

Answer: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. These regulations require employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances including chemicals, dusts, fumes, and biological agents.

What is the first step in a COSHH assessment?

Answer: Identify all substances used or generated that are hazardous to health

The first step in a COSHH assessment is identifying all hazardous substances used in or generated by the work, including chemicals used, dusts generated, and fumes produced. You cannot control what you have not identified.

What is respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and why is it hazardous?

Answer: Fine silica dust particles small enough to reach the lungs, causing silicosis, lung cancer, and COPD

Respirable crystalline silica consists of particles small enough (under 10 micrometres) to be inhaled deep into the lungs. It causes silicosis (irreversible lung scarring), lung cancer, and COPD. High-risk tasks include cutting, grinding, or drilling masonry, concrete, and sandstone.

What RPE (respiratory protective equipment) is required for high-silica dust exposure tasks?

Answer: FFP3 half-mask or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) as a minimum

High-silica dust exposure requires at minimum an FFP3 half-mask respirator. For heavy exposures (e.g., dry cutting granite), a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) may be required. Lower-rated masks (FFP1, FFP2) do not provide adequate protection.

What is the hierarchy of control measures in a COSHH assessment?

Answer: Eliminate, substitute, enclose, extract (LEV), general ventilation, then RPE as a last resort

COSHH follows the same hierarchy as general risk control: eliminate the substance, substitute with something less hazardous, enclose the process, use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to capture contaminants at source, improve general ventilation, then RPE as a last resort.

What information does a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provide for a COSHH assessment?

Answer: Hazard identification, composition, exposure limits, control measures, PPE requirements, first aid, storage, and disposal

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS, formerly MSDS) provides comprehensive information about a substance in 16 standardised sections, covering hazard identification, composition, physical properties, occupational exposure limits, control measures, PPE requirements, first aid, and disposal.