HSE press release: E196:03 - 8 October 2003
Why should painters, hairdressers, cleaners and beauticians be interested in this press release? The reason is that they may not know that the products they use contain harmful chemicals which if not controlled, will harm their health. Businesses like these and many others can now find advice on what to do about this through a free, simple, internet site.
As part of its strategy to develop targeted advice and support for business, HSE is today launching new guidance and advice on its free internet tool e-COSHH, to help people address the hidden dangers of working with chemicals. E-COSHH, available on http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk tells people what they need to do to protect themselves and their workers.
Today is also the launch of European Safety and Health Week on dangerous substances, October 13-18. Cancer, skin disease and asthma are just some of the risks and they can have a devastating effect on people's lives. The Week aims to get everyone to think about how biological agents, chemicals and dangerous substances might affect them and their family.
One of the attendees at the launch will be Baggeridge Brick plc which has been nominated for a European Agency Good Practice Award. Baggeridge Brick has developed an application for reducing silica dust exposure. The European Agency will be announcing its award winners on 24 November.
Sandra Caldwell, co-director of HSE's Policy Group, said:
"e-COSHH will help people understand that the chemicals in the
products they are using, such as hair dyes and cleaning fluids,
might be having a lasting adverse effect on their health. It also
explains in a very simple way what they can do to protect
themselves and their employees."
In developing this guidance, HSE has worked with local authorities
and focused on the businesses that know least about working with
chemicals including night clubs, restaurants, tattoo parlours,
motor vehicle repairers, embalmers and indoor go-karting
arenas.
We believe that this tool is revolutionary and beneficial to UK plc. It contributes towards making health and safety the cornerstone of a civilised society and in financial terms, not only will less money be spent by business on paying out for sick leave, but fewer NHS resources will be needed to cure the illnesses.
1. This year's European Week for Safety and Health runs from
October 13 to 18. It was launched by Department of Work and
Pensions Minister, Des Browne, who has responsibility for health
and safety and Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety
Commission (HSC). Bud Hudspith, a Trade Union Council nominee on
the HSC's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances demonstrated
e-COSHH Essentials at the launch. Aleks Kinay, Chair of the Latex
Allergy Support Group, described her own experiences of latex
allergy and occupational asthma.
2. The Week is aimed at getting employers and workers across Europe
to think more about how to ensure that hazardous substances do not
affect them and their families. The campaign will focus on
controlling chemicals used in the work place, chemicals that, along
with process generated fumes and dusts, can cause ill health such
as occupational asthma, skin disease and cancer.
3. The website address for e-COSHH is: http:// www.coshh-essentials.org.uk. The 70 new guidance sheets cover a large range of businesses including: hairdressing, electrolysis, piercing and tattooing, beauty salon - makeover, nails etc, motor vehicle repair, flour dust - craft bakeries, woodworking, foundries, rubber making, cleaning, dry cleaning, insecticide sprays and dusts, eradicating vermin, water treatment, embalming, vehicle exhaust fumes (in warehouses and garages etc), nightclubs and small venues, flowers, fruit and vegetables, restaurants.
4. The European Week is organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at work, Bilbao. It also holds an annual Good Practice Award scheme which is linked to the theme of the Week. The UK has put forward three nominees for this year's scheme:
The European Agency will announce the results of its Award Scheme on 24 November.
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
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