An update has been issued regarding information on controlling substances that are hazardous to the health of workers in order to help businesses comply with legal requirements within the workplace.
Britain’s national regulator for health and safety, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has amended its Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) to define and simplify the practical advice which helps responsible individuals to comply with the requirements set out within Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
Though not officially law, ACOPs do have a special status which means that those following the guidance of ACOPs can be reasonably confident that they are complying with the law.
The updated instructions are aimed at supervisory staff, management, technical specialists (e.g. occupational hygienists, consultants etc) and safety representatives. The revisions also reflect other ongoing reviews of technical guidance associated with COSHH such as those for Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV); and on Health Surveillance, and they clarify specialist terminology wherever possible.
These changes come after a period of public consultation followed by HSE Board and ministerial approval.
Legal responsibilities to protect workers’ health and safety are not altered by any changes to ACOPs.
At Palmers, our health and safety law team can provide advice and guidance on all health and safety matters in the workplace and represent your business if it is facing a prosecution for breaches of health and safety laws. For more information about our health and safety law services, please visit our website or contact Lara Murray or Jeremy Sirrell.