- Do you work with hazardous substances?
- Do you use chemicals at work (including cleaning materials)?
- Did you know suppliers of hazardous substances have to provide information to users, including safety data sheets and proper labelling?
- Are dust and fume present in your workplace?
- Do you have any water systems that could be colonised by legionella?
- Do you work with animals or their products that may be infected with bacteria or viruses?
Thousands of people are exposed to all kinds of hazardous substances at work.
These can include chemicals that people make or work with directly, and also dust, fume and bacteria that can be present in the workplace. Exposure can happen by breathing them in, contact with the skin, splashing them into the eyes or swallowing them. If exposure is not prevented or properly controlled, it can cause serious illness, including cancer, asthma and dermatitis, and sometimes even death.
There are many publications that deal with particular industries or individual substances. Here are some more general ones. Single copies are available from the City Council or for larger numbers contact the HSE.
- COSHH the new brief guide for employees Breathe freely: Respiratory sensitisers and COSHH
- Occupational dermatitis
- Breathe freely: Respiratory sensitisers and COSHH
- A health and safety handbook for business is available from the council
CONTACTS
- Cambridge City Council - 01223 457900
- HSE books - 01787 881165
If you have any general comments or enquiries please email them to Environmental Services or contact us at Mandela House, 4 Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1BY. Tel: 01223 457900