Managing hazardous substances
Hazardous substances safety: eight top tips
Guide
There are key steps you need to follow to make sure that you're dealing with hazardous substances safely. Make sure you:
- Identify the hazardous substances in your workplace and the risks they pose to people's health or the environment.
- Decide what precautions are needed to eliminate the risks, or reduce them to a level which will protect the environment and people's health.
- Eliminate the hazardous substances wherever possible - if this isn't possible, control exposure to a level which will protect the health of the environment or people who could be affected.
- Implement control measures and ensure that they are used and maintained - make sure that everyone is consistently carrying out these procedures to avoid any risks to health.
- Monitor exposure - if the substances are airborne, you may need to monitor workers' exposure to ensure you .
- Carry out appropriate health surveillance - in certain circumstances, to ensure their health is not being damaged.
- Prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies - see how to set up a health and safety management system.
- Inform, train and supervise employees to help ensure their health is not damaged when using or in contact with hazardous substances.
The Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI) has .
- HSENI Helpline0800 032 0121
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