As the name suggests, hazardous substances are risky and require careful attention whenever they are in use. Every year, almost 650,000 deaths and numerous injuries occur due to the misuse of hazardous substances. This makes them the biggest contributors to workplace deaths, worldwide.

COSHH  places a responsibility on employers to protect employees from the hazards of substances used in the work environment.

“An employer shall not carry out work which is liable to expose any employees to any substance hazardous to health unless he has — (a) made a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk created by that work to the health of those employees and of the steps that need to be taken to meet the requirements of these Regulations”

– The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

“Every employer who undertakes work which is liable to expose an employee to a substance hazardous to health shall provide that employee with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.”

– The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

An effective COSHH risk assessment training can help employers to meet legal obligations – ensuring everyone in the workplace is competent to work safely with hazardous substances.

This health and safety training online is a basic awareness course and requires No prior subject knowledge or previous course certification requirement.

The main objectives of this online training are to make trainees aware of:

• How to identify and assess the risks of hazardous substances
• Control measures that can be used to manage this hazard

This is a fully online course that requires trainees to have a basic knowledge, but there is no certification needed to enrol. The course does require an electrical driver and a WiFi connection.

The risk assessment for hazardous substances online course comprises the following sections:

• Spotting the Hazard
• Risk Controls

This online training course is suitable for gas anyone responsible for conducting a hazardous substances risk assessment in the workplace or needs to understand this key health and safety process.

By the end of this course, trainees will understand:

• Examples of hazardous substances at work
• Range of symptoms and health effects that hazardous substances can cause
• How to assess the health risks associated with hazardous substances
• Awareness of health and safety at work hazardous substances regulations
• COSHH legal requirements to control the risk of hazardous substances
• Control measures to manage the health risks posed by the use of hazardous substances

• Maintains standard of health and safety culture within the organisation
• Compliant with relevant legislation
• Reduces risk of liability

• Gain understanding of the hazardous substances risk assessment process
• Build awareness of the associated duties and responsibilities
• Help to minimise the health risks associated with hazardous substances in the workplace

Human Focus online training for minimising the risks from hazardous substances offers the following benefits:

• IIRSM approved
• Fully online
• Compliant with relevant health and safety legislation
• User-friendly learning management system (LMS)
• Easy tracking of delegates’ progress and training records
• No extra/hidden costs
• 12 months accessibility
• Clear voiceover
• Self-paced learning
• Works on any electronic device that has an internet connection

Format: 100% online

Course duration:  10 + minutes

• Mini-quizzes right after each section for retention of knowledge
• Knowledge test

Knowledge Test 

This online training concludes with a pass or fail assessment, which requires a score of 80% to pass. Two attempts are given to achieve this passing mark.

On passing the knowledge test, the trainees are awarded an internationally recognised IIRSM approved certificates. These certificates are sent online in PDF format via registered emails and are printable.

After passing the knowledge test, trainees will earn a certificate showing completion of this IIRSM approved course.

• Training for employees working with substances hazardous to health
• Permit to work
• Lone workers safety
• Working with substances hazardous to health – Brief guide
• Chemical Safety – Data sheets
• Hazardous substances injuries – case studies
• COSHH risk assessments – Examples
• COSHH and woodworkers
• Respiratory protective equipment at work

The health effects of these substances are different for different persons and depend on the nature of the substance.

The mild effects include dermatitis and eye or skin irritation. The moderate effects include skin allergies and viral infections caused by biological agents such as bacteria or viruses.

However, the severe health hazards include developing skin or respiratory diseases, reproductive problems leading to birth effects.

Certain hazardous substances also cause fatal diseases such as cancer.

While some hazardous substances are obvious, such as acid or bleach, there are numerous others to be aware of. COSHH regulations outline a variety of hazardous substances, which include:

• Gases – such as carbon dioxide, methane
• Dust – from things such as textiles and tiny parts of soil and coal
• Mists – from oils and water-based fluids
• Biological agents and germs – such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, that works within laboratories, and sewage treatment
• Liquids – such as cleaning products and pesticides
• Fumes – such as sulphur dioxide that is present in petrol fumes and burning coal
• Vapors – such as acetone present in cleaning products and nail varnish removers
• Nanomaterials and technology – Present in batteries, cosmetics, food products, and anti-bacterial clothing
• Adhesives or paints

If a manufacturer produces a substance that is hazardous, they must supply you with a data sheet for the substance. The safety data sheet will give you information on the substance that is useful when making the risk assessment.

The safety data sheet will describe the hazards that the substance presents. It will also explain how to safely handle and store the chemical, and what to do in the event that an accident occurs.

Employees using chemicals or hazardous substances for work should also be provided with the safety data sheets for each. If an accident does occur, the safety data sheet should be brought along with the COSHH assessment to the hospital, if medical treatment is required