THE IMPACT OF THE COSHH REGULATIONS ON THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
| Published date | 01 February 1992 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb024769 |
| Pages | 205-214 |
| Date | 01 February 1992 |
| Author | COLIN PURNELL |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance |
THE IMPACT
OF THE
COSHH REGULATIONS
ON THE
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Received:
16th
November,
1992.
COLIN PURNELL
DR COLIN
PURNELL
CCHEM FRSC
MIOH
IS
A
REGISTERED HEALTH
AND
SAFETY
SPECIALIST
AND
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
OF
ENVEX COMPANY
LTD
WHICH PROVIDES
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND
OCCUPATIONAL
CONSULTANCY
TO
INDUSTRY
AND
COMMERCE
BOTH
IN
THIS COUNTRY
AND
ABROAD.
ABSTRACT
This paper
considers
the
Control
of
Sub-
stances Hazardous
to
Health (COSHH)
1988
Regulations.
In
particular,
it
notes
the
Regulations'
antecedents
in
UK
legisla-
tion and
European
Directives,
explains
the
key provisions
of the
Regulations
and
demonstrates the responsibilities
of employ-
ers.
The paper continues
by examining the
record
of
compliance
with the
Regulations
and identifying
the
main
reasons
for the
failure
to
implement. Conclusions
are
drawn
on the
effect
of
guidance
and
policing
by the
government advisory
agency,
and recommendations for
targeting
employers
who
have
failed
to
comply
are
given.
INTRODUCTION
In August
1984, the UK
Health
and
Safety Commission
(HSC)
issued
a
consultative document which pro-
posed
new
regulations
for the
con-
trol
of
substances hazardous
to
health (COSHH). Both
the
Trades
Union Congress
(TUC) and the
Con-
federation
of
British Industry
(CBI)
were represented
on the HSC and,
after much deliberation,
the
regula-
tions were laid before Parliament
on
12th October,
1988. The
'COSHH
Regulations',
as
they
are
colloquially
known, came into force
one
year
later
on 1st
October, 1989.1
The
Regulations enable
the
European
Community
(EC)
Directive 80/1107/
EEC2
(The
Framework Directive)
to
be implemented,
on the
protection
of workers from
the
risks related
to
exposure
to
chemical, physical
and
biological agents
at
work.
The
COSHH Regulations were also
designed
to
enable future
EC
direc-
tives
on
toxic substances
to be
implemented without
the
need
for
additional legislation.
In
addition,
205
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