If you work in a manufacturing industry or business where chemicals are used, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements and best practices related to the safe handling of these chemicals.
The hazards involved with working with chemicals mean that strict safety precautions must be met. This is crucial to keep workers and members of the public safe, as well as to protect property and the environment.
This is why the UK government, along with international agencies, have created legal mandates to guide the industries that use chemicals.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees and enforces chemical manufacturing safety standards
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 are the main frameworks ensuring chemical safety in the workplace
Other relevant laws include: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, and Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
Regulations also apply to the labelling and packaging of chemicals
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are mandatory for outlining correct use, handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
What Are Chemical Health And Safety Regulations?
In the UK, there are health and safety laws approved by Parliament that companies and their employees must follow. Chemical manufacturers are amongst those guided by such regulations spearheaded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The particular legislation that usually covers safety at work in relation to chemicals is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. However, more specific to the use of chemicals is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
COSHH is a set of UK regulations that requires employers to protect workers from harmful substances in the workplace. This involves assessing risk and preventing or controlling exposure to hazardous substances like chemicals, dust, and fumes. It covers the safe handling, use, storage, and disposal of these substances.
Aside from providing suggested guidelines, the HSE also specifies the mandatory steps that must be adhered to. Some of these regulations are compulsory, not optional.
Aside from the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH, other important regulatory measures are in place to guide industries across public and private platforms. These rules and guidelines also help to train personnel to properly handle hazardous chemicals.
The following are other pieces of regulation directly applicable to chemical-related fields or workplaces:
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: this is generally for risk assessments, training of employees, and information drive.
- Workplace Regulations 1992; and Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992: both of these laws cover the facilities and equipment.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992: this is for the appropriate safe clothing and uniforms of workers provided by their employers.
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH); and Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002: these oblige the companies to make risk assessments on hazardous chemicals and set precautionary measures.
Related content:
Other laws such as the Construction Regulations 1994, Gas Safety Regulations 1994, and Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 are all necessary for the “safety first policy” in chemical-related industries.
Legal Requirements For Chemical Labels
A law known as the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002) covers the classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous chemicals through the use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
That’s why there are rules for labelling particularly indicated in Chemicals Regulations 2002. There is also the European CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures) and CLP: Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation). The latter aligns with the UN’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS), which defines how chemical labels are managed in the EU.
The summative points of these laws include:
- On outer packaging, there must be contact information such as the full name, address, and phone number of the supplier of the substance
- Legally and internationally recognized names of the substance
- Any dangerous indications with corresponding symbols
- Risk and safety phrases, set out in full
- EC number and label
- Toxic classifications: mutagenic, carcinogenic, and reproductive toxicity number except for artist paint, petrol, sealed fuel, and other similar oil-based products
- “Restricted to professional users” labelling phrase
- Include non-toxic, non-harmful, non-polluting, or ecological as applicable
- Include harmful, extremely flammable, highly flammable, flammable, irritant, oxidising, “N”, etc. warnings whenever applicable. This isn’t necessary for specified substances containing the aforementioned categories when they’re only 125 ml or less, provided they are not sold to general public
- Aerosol-based labeling has more regulatory requirements indicated in other sections and under separate laws
What Legislation Covers The Use, Storage And Handling Of Chemicals?
Labeling chemicals is one thing; but use, storage, and handling is another.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) is the main law that industries must comply with.
In order to avoid having to go through exhaustive legal texts of this law, chemical manufacturing companies must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS), which cover everything about the proper use, storage, and handling of chemicals.
Proper disposal of chemical waste is also included on SDSs because of its effect on the environment.
What Are The Environmental Regulations For Manufacturers?
Since chemical-related industries deal with hazardous substances that may affect public health and the environment, certain environmental regulations are in place so that manufacturers know how to comply with basic standards.
The environmental impact isn’t limited to pollution levels either. It can be exacerbated by manufacturing industries working on commodity chemicals (organic and inorganic), pharmaceutical products, industrial gases, paints, inks, detergents, and other commercialised chemical products.
Because of that, among the requisites necessary here are licensing, authorisation, permits, exemption, (radioactive/waste) certificates, discharge consents, registration, pre-notifications, etc.
The kind of possible requisites such as pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence, depends on the nature of a company’s operations.
What Does Health And Safety In A Manufacturing Environment Mean?
Given how crucial it is to follow protocols in the manufacturing industry, it’s worth noting that health and safety is, of course, paramount.
Health and safety in the manufacturing environment simply means avoiding accidents and minimising the risks involved working in manufacturing.
Conclusion
Understanding and complying with the UK’s chemical manufacturing regulations is essential for ensuring workplace safety, protecting the environment, and maintaining legal compliance. By following laws such as COSHH and CLP, manufacturers can effectively manage chemical risks and uphold the highest standards of safety and responsibility.
