Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.16.3 Prevention and control of exposure – 
regulation 7
The employer is required to ensure that exposure of their 
employees to hazardous substances is either prevented 
or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately 
controlled.
In determining adequate control, the employer 
should give preference to avoiding the use of hazardous 
substances by substituting them with a safer alternative 
which either eliminates or reduces the risk to health and 
safety, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Where prevention of exposure is not reasonably 
practicable, the employer is required to apply the follow-
ing protection measures in order of priority:
➤
The design and use of appropriate work processes, 
systems and engineering controls and the provision 
and use of suitable work equipment and materials
➤
The control of exposure at source, including ven-
tilation systems and appropriate organisational 
measures
➤
The provision of suitable personal protective equip-
ment (PPE), where adequate control cannot be 
achieved. PPE should be provided in addition to the 
above measures.
The protection measures should include:
➤
Arrangements for safe handling, storage and trans 
-
port
➤
The adoption of suitable maintenance procedures
➤
Reducing to the minimum required for the work:
➤
The number of employees subject to exposure
➤
The level and duration of exposure
➤
The quantity of substances present at the 
workplace
➤
The control of the working environment including 
general ventilation
➤
Appropriate hygiene measures including adequate 
washing facilities.
Points to consider in a suitable and suffi cient COSHH 
assessment
The hazardous properties of
The effect of preventive and
the substance 
control measures which 
have been or will be taken
Information from the supplier
The results of relevant
on health effects – see the SDS health surveillance
The level, type and duration of The results of monitoring of
exposure exposure
The circumstances of the work The risk presented by
including the amount of the
substances in combination
substance involved 
where the work will involve 
exposure to more than one 
substance
Activities such as maintenance The approved classifi cation
where there is the potential for of any biological agent
a high level of exposure
Any relevant workplace
Any additional information
exposure limits 
the employer may need to 
complete the assessment

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