Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Control of exposure should only be treated as adequate if:
Employees are required to:
➤
The principles of good practice as detailed in
Schedule 2A are applied
➤
Make full and proper use of any preventive or con-
trol measure and
➤
Take all reasonable steps to return the measures
to any accommodation after use and report any
defects to their employer immediately.
➤
Any workplace exposure limit approved for that sub-
stance is not exceeded
➤
For substances listed in Schedule 1 or with R45,
R46 or R49 risk phrases (carcinogens) and those
listed as asthmagens or with R42 or R42/43 risk
phrases, exposure is reduced to as low a level as is
reasonably practicable.
15.16.5 Maintenance, examination and testing of
control measures - regulation 9
Employers are required to ensure that any control meas-
ures they provide:
Schedule 2A - Principles of good practice
➤
In the case of plant and equipment, including engi-
neering controls and PPE, are maintained in an effi -
cient state, in effi cient working order, in good repair
and in a clean condition
Design and operate processes and activities to minimise
emission, release and spread of substances hazardous to
health
Take into account all relevant routes of exposure when
developing control measures - inhalation, skin absorption
and ingestion
➤
In the case of safe systems of work and supervision
of any other measure, it is reviewed at suitable inter-
vals and revised as necessary
Control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the
health risk
➤
In the case of engineering controls, thorough exami-
nation and testing of these, are carried out:
Choose the most effective and reliable control options which
minimise the escape and spread of substances hazardous to
health
➤
At least once every 14 months for local exhaust
ventilation
➤
As specifi ed in Schedule 4
Where adequate control of exposure cannot be achieved
by other means, provide, in combination with other control
measures, suitable PPE
➤
In other cases, at suitable intervals
➤
Ensure the thorough examination and appropriate
testing of RPE at suitable intervals (with the excep-
tion of disposable RPE)
➤
Keep a record of all examinations and tests for at
least 5 years from the date of the test
Check and review regularly all elements of control measures
for their continuing effectiveness
Inform and train all employees on the hazards and risks from
the substances with which they work and the use of control
measures developed to minimise the risks
➤
Ensure that PPE is:
➤
Properly stored in well-defi ned spaces
➤
Checked at suitable intervals
Ensure that the introduction of control measures does not
increase the overall risk to health and safety
➤
Repaired or replaced before further use when it
is discovered to be defective
➤
Ensure that any PPE that is contaminated by a sub-
stance hazardous to health is either decontaminated
and cleaned or destroyed if necessary.
Note:
Additional precautions are detailed for carcino-
gens and biological agents
Where PPE is provided, it must be suitable for the pur-
pose and:
Any PPE which may be contaminated must be removed
on leaving the working area and kept apart from uncon-
taminated clothing and equipment.
➤
Comply with the Personal Protective Equipment
Regulations 1992 as amended or
➤
In the case of respiratory protective equipment
(RPE), be of a type approved by or conform to a
standard approved by HSE.
15.16.6 Monitoring exposure at the workplace -
regulation 10
Where the risk assessment reveals that it is neces-
sary either for the maintenance of adequate control of
employee exposure to substances hazardous to health,
or for protecting their employees' health, the employer
must ensure that employee exposure to hazardous sub-
stances is monitored.
15.16.4
Use of control measures - regulation 8
Employers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that
all preventive and control measures, including PPE, are
applied or used properly.
