RR1124 - Hazardous substances at work survey: an analysis of respondents' experiences and views of COSHH, CLAW and DSEAR

Three domestic regulations set out employers' responsibilities in Great Britain to protect the health and safety of their workforce from exposure to hazardous substances. These are: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH); The Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW); and The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).

The Health and Safety Executive undertook an evidence gathering exercise to review these regulations to explore how risk management of hazardous substances at work could be simplified whilst maintaining standards of protection.

This report analyses the responses to an on-line survey about dutyholders', employees' and employers' experiences of COSHH, CLAW and DSEAR. The research found that the regulations provide a useful framework for determining organisational policies and processes to manage the risks from hazardous substances but this could be simplified and supported by additional guidance.

A related report, which details the findings from a series of focus groups to explore operational staff's, dutyholders' and consultants' perceptions and experiences of COSHH, CLAW and DSEAR, can be found below.

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Updated 2023-12-12