Course Duration: 20+ minutes

Hazardous Substances In Healthcare – What Everyone Needs To Know
£25.00 +VAT
Courses | Price per Course |
---|---|
1 - 14 | £25.00 |
15 - 24 | £22.00 |
25 - 34 | £20.00 |
35 - 44 | £18.00 |
45 - 59 | £15.00 |
60 - 69 | £14.00 |
70 - 89 | £12.00 |
90 - 99 | £10.00 |
100 - 200 | £9.50 |
Description
This online course looks at the types of hazardous substances present in the healthcare sector. It further examines important principles of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and practical tips which help to stay safe when working around hazardous substances.
Healthcare workers are routinely exposed to a variety of hazardous substances. They must understand the risks involved and measures to protect themselves and others. This course supports meeting the legal requirement to provide information, instruction and training to any employee that works with substances hazardous to their health.
Course Outline
Hazardous Substances in Healthcare – What Everyone Needs to Know
This online training comprises the following sections:
- Types of hazardous substances
- Principle 1 of COSHH
- Principle 2 of COSHH
- Principle 3 of COSHH
- Principle 4 of COSHH
- Principle 5 of COSHH
- Practical tips
Learning Outcomes
By taking this course, trainees will have a greater awareness of:
- Common hazardous substances in a healthcare setting
- Ways in which these types of substances can get into the human body
- Effects of hazardous substances on the human body
- COSHH principles that underpin the safe handling of hazardous substances
- Fundamentals of how to fulfil COSHH obligations
- Practical tips to reduce the risk of hazardous substances
Why Hazardous Substances in Healthcare Training is Vital
In the medical setting, many hazardous materials are handled or used that are potentially lethal. In fact, they are such a routine part of the job that it can be easy to forget just how dangerous they are.
The most common hazardous substance in a healthcare setting includes blood and bodily fluids, cytotoxic drugs, latex products, anesthetic gases and formaldehyde, used to fix samples in theatre. Exposure to these substances can lead to many short and long-term health effects such as skin rashes and disorders of the lung, kidney and liver.
Under COSHH Regulation ‘Everyone must receive training in their role and responsibilities in ensuring that hazardous substances are handled safely’. This programme supports meeting this legal obligation.
Course Benefits
- RoSPA assured
- Helps to improve the health and safety of healthcare workers
- Improves awareness of good practice when handling hazardous substances
- Supports compliance with COSHH
- Concise yet informative presentation style
- Easy to manage and track training
Course Details
Study length | 20+ minutes |
Approval body | RoSPA assured |
Target Audience | All staff members – awareness |
Format | One interactive module with an end of course test |
Assessment | Online multiple-choice test |
Certification | Online certificate issued immediately on course completion |
Certification Validity Duration | 3 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
A COSHH assessment identifies the hazards associated with hazardous substances in the workplace. A thorough risk assessment concentrates on the workplace’s exposure to hazardous substances. It provides a useful guide for how to work safely with a hazardous substance.
The COSHH data sheet, or safety data sheet, is provided by the manufacturer or supplier along with the hazardous substance. It provides technical information about a chemical’s hazards and carries complete information about safe handling and emergency procedures. The data sheet is not a risk assessment. The COSHH data sheet influences the risk assessment, but it should be documented separately.
In the event of accidental exposure to a hazardous substance, if medical attention is required, it is important to bring safety data sheets with you to the hospital.
There is no requirement to have a qualification to conduct COSHH assessments, however, you must be competent. According to the HSE, competency means you have the required skills, knowledge and experience to conduct a risk assessment properly.
You should be able to understand hazards and risks, know how people may be exposed to substances hazardous to health, have the ability to collect necessary information and have skills, knowledge and experience to decide how to control exposure.
Any substance that can cause harm and is hazardous falls under COSHH’s remit. Hazardous substances are labelled with specific COSHH symbols for easy recognition. It is important to note that lead, asbestos and radioactive elements do not fall under COSHH, they are governed by specific regulations.
COSHH applies to any substance that:
- Is listed in Table 3.2 of part 3 Annex VI of the CLP Regulation, which are indicated as toxic, very toxic, corrosive, harmful or an irritant
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has provided a Workplace Exposure Limit
- Is a biological agent
In addition, most dusts fall under COSHH regulations, as well as any substances present risks to health. Further information can be found on the HSE website.
Yes, training is essential to ensure employees are well aware of risks associated with hazardous substances. Control measures are not fully effective if the employees do not know how to use them, e.g. deal with spillages. Therefore, employees should be made aware of using emergency procedures in the workplace through adequate safety training courses.
Human Focus offers the following programmes under the Hazardous Substances toolkit: