Example COSHH risk assessment - Warehouse

Important reminder

This example risk assessment shows the kind of approach a small business might take. Use it as a guide to think through some of the hazards in your business and the steps you need to take to control the risks. Please note that it is not a generic risk assessment that you can just put your company name on and adopt wholesale without any thought. This would not satisfy the law - and would not be effective in protecting people.

Every business is different - you need to think through the hazards and controls required in your business for yourself.

Company name: Wholesale warehouse
Department:
Date assessment made:
Date discussed with employees:
Step 1
Substance
Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
Action
Whats the hazard? What harm, and who? What are you doing already? What improvements do you need? Who When Check
Battery acid for electrical picker trucks - skin contact and breathing in mist Burns from acid, lung irritation from mist          
  Maintenance worker - liquid Rubber apron, gauntlets, eye protection for acid handling Spill containment and  clean-up kit      
  Night-watchman - mist from charging batteries overnight restrict access Roof louvres open during & 30 minutes after charging      
Breathing in fog from pest control (insecticide) Unknown - contractor uses respirator          
  Everyone Keep out for 1 hour after fogging, then open doors None      
Anti-slip floor coating - 2 yearly - solvent / isocyanate Irritating vapours, skin sensitisation          
  2 chargehands mixing and applying product Vapour RPE, protection = 10, long-handled roller, protective gloves, coverall Discard roller and gloves after use.  Open doors while applying.  New footwear.      
 
Also: Action taken Action needed      
Thorough examination & test - COSHH          
Supervision   Supervise floor coating      
Instruction and training Warn about skin contact Respirator training      
Emergency plans Fire        
Health surveillance None        
Monitoring   None Urine test for isocyanate      
Step 5
Review date
:
  1. Review your assessment - make sure you are not sliding back.
  2. Any significant change in the work?  Check the assessment and change it if necessary
Other hazards needing attention: vehicle movements, manual handling

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2023-04-25