COSHH

she ltd article:

Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, causing diseases including asthma, dermatitis or cancer. The COSHH regulations require employers to control substances that can harm workers' health. Substances hazardous to health in Agriculture include:

· dusts from plants, animals, composted and fermented materials;

· regulated products – pesticides, medicines, feed additives;

· products used in silage making (and off-gases);

· fertilisers and soil improvers;

· paints, oils, lubricants, brake fluids, detergents;

· diseases from animals, e.g. leptospirosis, cryptosporidium;

· confined spaces and toxic gases, e.g. hydrogen sulphide;

· Vehicle exhaust fumes.

Cleaning activities also give rise to hazardous substances.

Control measures include:

· enclosing transfer points and putting lids on bins;

· filtered air supplies to vehicles;

· dust extraction;

· fresh air blowers;

· respirators;

· skin protective equipment

You normally need to use health surveillance^[1]. (Check employee’s health for any adverse effects related to work. This may involve checking skin for dermatitis or asking questions about breathing and may need to be done by a doctor or nurse.)

Your employer provides equipment to protect your health, such as:

· dust extraction;

· Personal protective equipment (e.g. respirator, gloves).

You have a duty to use these properly and co-operate with any monitoring and health surveillance.

A selection of examples involving Grain Dust can be found on the HSE Website. Click the link below to read more:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/industry/agriculture.htm

For advice on issues of Safety, Health, and Environment please visit us at:

she.ltd.uk