Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.11.7
Step 4 – use, maintenance, examination 
and test of control measures – 
Regulations 8 and 9
➤
Every employer must take all reasonable steps to 
ensure that control measures, PPE or anything else 
provided under COSHH, are properly used or applied.
➤
Employees must make full and proper use of control 
measures, PPE or anything else provided. Employees 
must, as far as is reasonable, return items to accom-
modation and report defects immediately.
Employers shall also:
➤
properly maintain and keep clean plant and equip-
ment, other engineering controls and PPE.
➤
In the case of the provision of systems of work and 
supervision or similar review at suitable intervals and 
revise as necessary.
➤
carry out thorough examination and tests on engin-
eering controls:
➤
in the case of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) 
at least once every 14 months (except those in 
Schedule 4 which covers blasting of castings – 
monthly; dry grinding, polishing or abrading 
of metal for more than 12 hours per week – 6 
months; and jute manufacture – 6 months)
➤
in any other case, at suitable intervals
➤
carry out thorough examination and tests where 
appropriate (except on disposable items) on respira-
tory protective equipment at suitable intervals
➤
keep a record of examination and tests for at least 
5 years
➤
check, properly store, repair/replace and safely dis-
pose of contaminated PPE as necessary.
17.11.8
Step 5 – monitoring exposure – 
Regulation 10
Employers must monitor exposure:
➤
where this is necessary to ensure maintenance of 
control measures or the protection of health
Principles of Good Practice for the