Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Control of Exposure to Substances 
Hazardous to Health. (Schedule 2A)
➤
Design and operate processes and activ-
ities to minimize emission, release and 
spread of substances hazardous to health.
➤
Take into account all relevant routes of 
exposure – inhalation, skin absorption 
and ingestion – when developing control 
measures.
➤
Control exposure by measures that are 
proportionate to the health risk.
➤
Choose the most effective and reliable con-
trol options which minimize the escape and 
spread of substances hazardous to health.
➤
Where adequate control of exposure can-
not be achieved by other means, provide, 
in combination with other control meas-
ures, suitable PPE.
➤
Check and review regularly all elements 
of control measures for their continuing 
effectiveness.
➤
Inform and train all employees on the haz-
ards and risks from the substances with 
which they work and the use of control 
measures developed to minimize the risks.
➤
Ensure that the introduction of control 
measures does not increase the overall risk 
to health and safety.
PPE must conform to the Personal Protective Equipment 
(EC Directive) Regulations 2002.

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➤
specifi cally for vinyl chloride monomer or chromium 
plating as required by schedule 5 and
➤
keep a record of identifi able personal exposures for 
40 years and any other exposures for 5 years.
17.11.9
Step 6 – health surveillance – 
Regulation 11
Employers must ensure employees, where appropriate, 
who are exposed or liable to be exposed, are under 
health surveillance. It is considered appropriate when:
➤
employee is exposed (if signifi cant) to substances or 
processes in schedule 6
➤
an 
identifi able disease or adverse health effect may 
be related to the exposure, and there is a reason-
able likelihood that disease may occur and there are 
valid disease indication or effect detection methods.
Records of health surveillance containing approved par-
ticulars must be kept for 40 years or offered to HSE if 
trading ceases. If a person is exposed to a substance 
and/or process in schedule 6, the health surveillance shall 
include medical surveillance by an employment medical 
adviser or appointed doctor at intervals not exceeding 12 
months.
If a medical adviser certifi es that a person should not 
be engaged in particular work they must not be permitted 
to carry out that work except under specifi ed conditions. 
Health records must be available for the individual 
employee to see after reasonable notice.
Employees must present themselves, during working 
hours at the employer’s expense, for appropriate health 
surveillance.
An employment medical adviser or appointed doctor 
has the power to inspect the workplace or look at records 
for the purpose of carrying out functions under COSHH.