Scope

  • Policy Statement

  • The Policy

  • Hazardous Substances
  • Signage
  • Employers’ Responsibilities
  • Misuse or Harmful Practice

  • Disposal of Hazardous Materials

    • Bodily fluids: blood, urine, vomit, sputum and faeces
    • Needles, syringes, cannulas (sharps)

  • Related Policies

  • Related Guidance

  • Training Statement

Policy Statement

This policy is one of several related to health and safety and subject to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance and Codes of Practice.

The Policy

Staff need to be aware of and understand their role in this organisation and how to adhere to the Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other subsequent legislation, including those covered by the European Commission Directives. This policy specifically relates to the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 and to the REACH regulations, where appropriate.

Hazardous Substances

Many hazardous substances are considered hazardous to health. The COSHH Regulations apply to substances that are identified as toxic, corrosive, or irritant. These can include cleaning materials, pesticides, acids, disinfectants, bleach, and naturally occurring substances, such as blood and bacteria.

This organisation provides and requires all staff to wear protective clothing, i.e. disposable gloves and aprons and, where required, protective eye goggles when working with hazardous substances, as directed by the HSE Safety Data leaflet.

Signage

All toxins, corrosives and irritants are identified when they are considered “dangerous to supply” by a label with a specific symbol.
International symbols have replaced the old European symbols, and staff need to be aware of changes.

This organisation has this information in a client’s Support Plans.

Any product deemed to be “dangerous to supply” must be supplied with a safety data sheet.

Please note: medicines, cosmetics, and pesticides are covered by different legislation and do not have a safety data sheet.

Employers’ Responsibilities

To comply with the HSE’s steps for all employers to protect their employees from hazardous substances, this organisation:

  • Identifies the hazardous substances that are used in the workplace and the risks the substances pose to workers’ health.
  • Puts into place and regularly reviews any precautions required before any work begins that involves hazardous substances.
  • Prevents people from being exposed to hazardous substances but, where this is not reasonably practicable, will control the exposure.
  • Ensures that control measures are used and properly maintained and that safety procedure is followed and reviewed regularly.
  • Monitors, if necessary, staff exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Requires all accidents, incidents, and emergencies associated with COSHH to be reported and recorded according to organisational policy.

  • Ensures that all employees are properly informed, updated, trained, and supervised as appropriate. A COSHH file is in place in each workplace. The file lists all the hazardous substances used in the workplace. It details:

    • Where they are kept,
    • How they are labelled,
    • Their effects,
    • The maximum amount of time it is safe to be exposed to them, and
    • How to deal with any emergency involving them.

Misuse or Harmful Practice

If workers are concerned about any of the following, it must be reported to their manager or supervisor immediately:

  • A substance being used in the workplace that is not in the COSHH file.
  • Incorrect containers or labels being used.
  • A container of one substance being used to store another substance.
  • Labels being removed or changed.

Disposal of Hazardous Materials

Bodily Fluids: Blood, Urine, Vomit, Sputum and Faeces

  • Disposable gloves and aprons must be worn.
  • Where possible the waste should be cleared and flushed down a sluice or toilet.
  • The affected area should be cleaned with a disinfectant.
  • Cloths used for cleaning must be disposed of, along with the disposable apron and gloves.
  • Hands must be thoroughly washed.
  • Any waste must be transferred in a sealed bag to the appropriate waste bin or container.
  • All waste disposal bags must be correctly sealed, as other people will have to deal with the waste after it has been placed in the bags or container.

Needles, Syringes, Cannulas (Sharps)

  • Disposable gloves must be worn.

A yellow sharps box will be provided by a healthcare professional. Never put sharps in anything other than this or, in an emergency, a hard plastic box. This must be sealed and collected by a healthcare professional for incineration.

Disposal of all other types of waste will be included in staff training.

Related Policies

Accidents, Incidents and Emergencies Reporting (RIDDOR)
Health and Safety

Related Guidance

HSE COSHH:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

H&S in Care Home:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

HSE COSHH Basics:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Training Statement

All staff, during induction, are made aware of the organisation’s policies and procedures, all of which are used for training updates. All policies and procedures are reviewed and amended where necessary, and staff are made aware of any changes. Observations are undertaken to check skills and competencies. Various methods of training are used, including one to one, online, workbook, group meetings, and individual supervisions. External courses are sourced as required.

Date Reviewed: May 2021
Person responsible for updating this policy: Carly Fortune
Next Review Date: May 2022