Risk and COSHH Assessments
The policy of the University is to:
‘As far as is reasonably practicable, manage and control hazards and risks resulting from or arising due to its activities and undertakings and the activities of others where they have an impact upon University staff, students, visitors and volunteers’
In addition to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, the University and its constituent Colleges and Departments, have specific obligations under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to implement sound management practices to avoid, control and/or manage risks to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of staff and those affected by its’ undertakings.
Risk and COSHH Assessments are a fundamental part of this process, and a Risk and / or COSHH Assessment must always be prepared before carrying out any work. However, remember you must communicate the key findings of your Risk and COSHH Assessments to everyone that may be affected by any significant hazards identified. The following will explain why this is so important.
Consider a situation in which you share a laboratory. You store some samples on your lab bench that contain small amounts of hazardous chemicals. Whilst you are away a colleague accidently knocks some off the bench and the containers smash. Unless you have labeled your samples appropriately and made your co-workers aware of the hazards associated with your work and the measures needed to mitigate the risks they will not know how to safely deal with the spilt chemicals.
Further Assistance
If you have any questions regarding Risk / COSHH Assessments, contact either Dr John Latchford, CoESE H&S Manager (j.w.latchford@bangor.ac.uk) or Health and Safety who can provide advice on the Risk Assessment process.