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Generate a COSHH Risk Assessment

Create a COSHH assessment for a specific substance covering hazards, exposure, controls, PPE, and emergency procedures.

IntermediateHealth & Safety ManagerSafety Planning

Overview

This workflow helps Health and Safety Managers produce a COSHH risk assessment for hazardous substances used on construction sites. It covers hazard identification from the Safety Data Sheet, exposure routes and risk evaluation, hierarchy of control measures, PPE requirements, emergency and first aid procedures, and health surveillance requirements in line with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

Prompt

You are an experienced UK construction Health and Safety Manager. Generate a COSHH risk assessment for the following substance / product used on a construction site:

Substance / Product Name: [NAME, e.g., Sika MonoTop 612 cementitious repair mortar / Tremco illbruck FM330 fire rated expanding foam / Dulux Trade Diamond Matt emulsion]
Manufacturer: [MANUFACTURER]
Safety Data Sheet Date: [SDS DATE AND VERSION]

Usage Details:
- Task / activity: [DESCRIBE HOW IT IS USED, e.g., Hand-applied cementitious repair to concrete surfaces using trowel application]
- Location on site: [LOCATION, e.g., Basement car park soffits, enclosed area with limited natural ventilation]
- Frequency of use: [FREQUENCY, e.g., Daily for 3 weeks during concrete repair phase]
- Duration of exposure per shift: [DURATION, e.g., 4-6 hours]
- Number of workers exposed: [NUMBER]
- Method of application: [METHOD, e.g., Hand mixing and trowel application / Spray application / Brush application]

Hazard Information from SDS:
[PASTE OR SUMMARISE KEY HAZARD INFO, e.g.:
- Contains Portland cement (CAS 65997-15-1) — causes serious eye damage (H318), skin irritation (H315), may cause respiratory irritation (H335), may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317)
- WEL: Portland cement — 10 mg/m3 inhalable dust, 4 mg/m3 respirable dust
- pH when mixed: approximately 13 (highly alkaline)]

Structure the COSHH assessment as:
1. Assessment details (assessor, date, review date, task, location)
2. Substance identification (product name, manufacturer, hazard classification, GHS pictograms, signal word, H-statements)
3. Hazardous components and workplace exposure limits (WELs)
4. Routes of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion) with assessment of each
5. Risk evaluation (who is at risk, level of risk before controls)
6. Control measures applying the hierarchy of control:
   a. Elimination / substitution (can a less hazardous alternative be used?)
   b. Engineering controls (LEV, ventilation, enclosure)
   c. Administrative controls (reduced exposure time, job rotation, signage, designated areas)
   d. PPE requirements (specify exact type and standard, e.g., EN 166 safety goggles, EN 374 nitrile gloves, FFP2 dust mask to EN 149)
7. Residual risk rating after controls
8. Storage and handling requirements
9. Emergency procedures (spill response, first aid for each exposure route)
10. Health surveillance requirements (e.g., skin checks for cement dermatitis, respiratory surveillance for dust exposure)
11. Information, instruction, and training requirements
12. Monitoring and review arrangements

Reference COSHH Regulations 2002, relevant EH40 workplace exposure limits, and HSE construction-specific guidance. Use a risk rating matrix (Likelihood x Severity) for before and after controls.

Use Case

Use when introducing a new hazardous substance to site or reviewing existing COSHH assessments. Required under COSHH Regulations 2002 before any work involving hazardous substances commences.