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UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Jones on February 11, 2014, 04:56:37 pm

Title: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 11, 2014, 04:56:37 pm
Hi, has anyone got a COSHH assessment for general cleaning I can use please? It wouldn't be a direct copy just an idea.

Thanks
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Matt Gibson on February 11, 2014, 05:01:21 pm
J thought COSHH was chemical specific?
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: G O Cleaning on February 11, 2014, 05:39:32 pm
Hi, has anyone got a COSHH assessment for general cleaning I can use please? It wouldn't be a direct copy just an idea.

Thanks
  ???
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 11, 2014, 09:24:45 pm
Exactly what I thought, I've got risk assessments and method statements but apparently I need a coshh assessment of the cleaning chemicals they are using.
It confused me.
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 11, 2014, 09:26:22 pm
I presumed by carrying the data sheets I would be ok but

http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics/assessment.htm
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 11, 2014, 09:27:04 pm
Am I right in saying then that by having the appropriate risk assessment, method statements, and data sheets I will be ok?
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Blast Away on February 11, 2014, 09:35:16 pm
The code of practice has just been updated last month too.

Quote
A major change in the guidance is the fact that risk assessments aren’t required when using low-risk substances.
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Kev Martin on February 12, 2014, 08:07:45 am
Am I right in saying then that by having the appropriate risk assessment, method statements, and data sheets I will be ok?

Neil

People get very mixed up with Risk assessments v COSHH.  COSHH is part of a risk assessment but it has to take into account what else is going on such as fumes, dust, vapour mists and chemicals in the immediate vicinity of work in ADDITION TO THE WORK YOU ARE CARRYING OUT.    IS THE WORK YOU ARE CARRYING OUT AND THE CHEMICALS YOU ARE USING GOING TO CHANGE ANYTHING THAT IS ALREADY GOING ON IN THAT WORK AREA.

I will try and give you an example as long as I don't get my head ripped off.  You could be cleaning part of a large warehouse floor you have submitted your Risk Assessment and provided MSDS for the stuff your using but on inspection of the site you failed to notice that this part of the warehouse has an automatic up and down door for forklifts to enter and exit and the exhausts are emitting fumes.  That fact needs to be on your risk assessment twice!   Once under safety because of the forklifts moving around and the fact you had made provision to keep your guys safe. Then secondly under COSHH because the FORKLIFTS are emitting fumes which is an additional factor.  So the fact you have set up a work zone and barriered it off for safety of the moving forklifts does nbot prevent the fumes from drifting over that work area.  I know it sounds daft and someone may be able to give you a better example.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: trevor perry on February 12, 2014, 08:23:55 am
the chemical data sheets only show the risks that chemicals carry a COSHH assessment shows what you are putting in place to manage those risks
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: G O Cleaning on February 12, 2014, 08:29:58 am
You need to carry out a COSHH Hazard Assessment on each chemical you use in general cleaning, I think thats what they are after ? ! 
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Rob_Mac on February 12, 2014, 09:08:48 am
I could upload one I have for red diesel - yes it does require a COSHH for my clients but it is 16 pages.

If you want a copy Neil put your email up or text it me and you can have a look at it.

Possibly looks a bit daunting but it goes through all of the relevant areas.

Rob ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on February 12, 2014, 12:33:37 pm
 I bet that gets read a lot  :o
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 12, 2014, 12:48:35 pm
This stuff drives me mad, thing is when you go to quote a job half these people have no idea you've done all this crap, another reason why they think your expensive compared to Bob who'll do it for £50 cash!
Rob that would be great for a bit of guidance.
Info@absolutecleaner.co.uk

You all know what I'll be doing then this weekend!!!
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Jones on February 12, 2014, 12:49:20 pm
Lee what is classed as a low risk substance?
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Kev Martin on February 12, 2014, 01:42:01 pm
About 4 years ago I got that fed up with a certain famous client in this Country changing the goalposts on us and getting us to continously rewrite Method Statements and Risk Assessments I questioned their projects manager and told him in no uncertain terms that it was my belief no way was anybody reading all this.  He assured me he scrutinized every single one.  So I left it for a couple of jobs then on the next one I put in a whole extra paragraph which believe it or not was my mothers recipe for Welshcakes I have never heard anything to date and I just leave it in for them waiting for the day for someone to spot it and when they do I will just blame it on a copy and paste typo ;D

This is the paragraph:

It is important that the stone is of good quality and fairly thick to make good welshcakes.  You will need a decent quality bakestone rolling pin or milk bottle a pastry cutter and brush.  The ingredients needed are a teaspoon of mixed spice half a teaspoon of cinnammon ten ounces of self raising flour six ounces of butter three ounces of caster sugar six ounces of dried fruit one large egg a little milk and a spare numpty of butter.  Now with the exception of the fruit sift the dry ingredients together, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble now add the dried fruit and mix it in thoroughly.  Beat the egg lightly and add it to the mixture and mix to a dough add just a spot of milk if its a little dry. Now place the dough onto a lightly floured board or work surface and roll it out with a bottle or floured rolling pin to about a quarter of an inch thick.  Using your cutter, cut the dough into rounds by giving it a sharp tap, dont twist the cutter or it will stick continue  until all the dough is used up.  Then lightly grease the bakestone using a pastry brush smeared with butter.  Heat the bakestone over a medium heat and cook the cakes for about 3 minutes on each side. If they look like they are browning too quickly lower the temperature of the hob because you want them golden brown and cooked through.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: chris scott on February 12, 2014, 01:45:00 pm
Lee what is classed as a low risk substance?
Water is....but i bet that will all change.
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Rob_Mac on February 12, 2014, 01:58:42 pm
That should be with you in a minute

Cheers

Rob ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Rob_Mac on February 12, 2014, 02:04:54 pm
I've just typed in COSHH for bleach and this came up as a further example.

http://www.janitorialexpress.co.uk/downloads/coshh-risk-assess/CRA-Bleach%20-%20BC014-5.pdf

Not read it but it looks more like a RA to me

Rob ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Rob_Mac on February 12, 2014, 02:06:36 pm
Just sent another by email as well Neil

Rob ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: G O Cleaning on February 12, 2014, 03:33:05 pm
About 4 years ago I got that fed up with a certain famous client in this Country changing the goalposts on us and getting us to continously rewrite Method Statements and Risk Assessments I questioned their projects manager and told him in no uncertain terms that it was my belief no way was anybody reading all this.  He assured me he scrutinized every single one.  So I left it for a couple of jobs then on the next one I put in a whole extra paragraph which believe it or not was my mothers recipe for Welshcakes I have never heard anything to date and I just leave it in for them waiting for the day for someone to spot it and when they do I will just blame it on a copy and paste typo ;D

This is the paragraph:

It is important that the stone is of good quality and fairly thick to make good welshcakes.  You will need a decent quality bakestone rolling pin or milk bottle a pastry cutter and brush.  The ingredients needed are a teaspoon of mixed spice half a teaspoon of cinnammon ten ounces of self raising flour six ounces of butter three ounces of caster sugar six ounces of dried fruit one large egg a little milk and a spare numpty of butter.  Now with the exception of the fruit sift the dry ingredients together, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble now add the dried fruit and mix it in thoroughly.  Beat the egg lightly and add it to the mixture and mix to a dough add just a spot of milk if its a little dry. Now place the dough onto a lightly floured board or work surface and roll it out with a bottle or floured rolling pin to about a quarter of an inch thick.  Using your cutter, cut the dough into rounds by giving it a sharp tap, dont twist the cutter or it will stick continue  until all the dough is used up.  Then lightly grease the bakestone using a pastry brush smeared with butter.  Heat the bakestone over a medium heat and cook the cakes for about 3 minutes on each side. If they look like they are browning too quickly lower the temperature of the hob because you want them golden brown and cooked through.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
  ;D ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Simon@Pristine Pathways on February 12, 2014, 03:45:27 pm
About 4 years ago I got that fed up with a certain famous client in this Country changing the goalposts on us and getting us to continously rewrite Method Statements and Risk Assessments I questioned their projects manager and told him in no uncertain terms that it was my belief no way was anybody reading all this.  He assured me he scrutinized every single one.  So I left it for a couple of jobs then on the next one I put in a whole extra paragraph which believe it or not was my mothers recipe for Welshcakes I have never heard anything to date and I just leave it in for them waiting for the day for someone to spot it and when they do I will just blame it on a copy and paste typo ;D

This is the paragraph:

It is important that the stone is of good quality and fairly thick to make good welshcakes.  You will need a decent quality bakestone rolling pin or milk bottle a pastry cutter and brush.  The ingredients needed are a teaspoon of mixed spice half a teaspoon of cinnammon ten ounces of self raising flour six ounces of butter three ounces of caster sugar six ounces of dried fruit one large egg a little milk and a spare numpty of butter.  Now with the exception of the fruit sift the dry ingredients together, then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble now add the dried fruit and mix it in thoroughly.  Beat the egg lightly and add it to the mixture and mix to a dough add just a spot of milk if its a little dry. Now place the dough onto a lightly floured board or work surface and roll it out with a bottle or floured rolling pin to about a quarter of an inch thick.  Using your cutter, cut the dough into rounds by giving it a sharp tap, dont twist the cutter or it will stick continue  until all the dough is used up.  Then lightly grease the bakestone using a pastry brush smeared with butter.  Heat the bakestone over a medium heat and cook the cakes for about 3 minutes on each side. If they look like they are browning too quickly lower the temperature of the hob because you want them golden brown and cooked through.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

I like that ;D

How long before chris comes on to tell you that is the wrong way to make welshcakes!,

Simon
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: chris scott on February 12, 2014, 04:02:12 pm
Simon
Did you know Kev's more personally? ...as she refers to you in the spare amount of butter she uses.
Personally I like Home baking.

Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Rob_Mac on February 12, 2014, 04:05:24 pm
I can see Kevin now, pinny on, flour smeared across his face, knocking up his first batch, for us all to try

(http://i60.tinypic.com/fd97p3.jpg)

Rob ;D
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Simon@Pristine Pathways on February 12, 2014, 04:21:50 pm
It make me laugh how quick the original question gets forgotten and the thread goes onto another subject..
COSHH .....Baking...

Anyone watching the winter Olympics? Tshirts and palm trees!
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Kev Martin on February 12, 2014, 05:37:22 pm
Simon
Did you know Kev's more personally? ...as she refers to you in the spare amount of butter she uses.
Personally I like Home baking.



Chris

I keep typing in (K nob) and it puts numpty in instead??? ???

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Kev Martin on February 12, 2014, 05:40:16 pm
I can see Kevin now, pinny on, flour smeared across his face, knocking up his first batch, for us all to try

(http://i60.tinypic.com/fd97p3.jpg)

Rob ;D

Rob

Make them now and again for the Grand Kids ;D ;D

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: jmb on February 12, 2014, 05:54:38 pm
Once got asked by a new h & s manager on a commercial window cleaning job for a coshh on the pure water we were using :)

Makes me wonder how some people get there jobs with not one bit of common sense.
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: chris scott on February 12, 2014, 06:09:34 pm
Simon
Did you know Kev's more personally? ...as she refers to you in the spare amount of butter she uses.
Personally I like Home baking.



Chris

I keep typing in (K nob) and it puts numpty in instead??? ???

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
It's ok Kev...I answer to both.
Title: Re: COSHH
Post by: Neil Worsnop on February 12, 2014, 07:32:48 pm
I'll add my little bit for what its worth.

COSHH is about informing all staff, visitors or customers about risks and safety measures but also about making choices about which substances to use.

An example might be you have a sofa to clean.

Should I use Fabric Restorer which is labelled as an irritant and comes with a list of control measures and PPE to wear.  Or could I use Fabric Pre-Spray which doesn't have a warning label on it?  It still has control measures but the risk is perceived as lower.

Bear in mind that we often take our products into the customers home or premises we need to show that we have done everything reasonable & practicable to minimise risk.

This could include:
Using the lowest risk product suitable for the job in hand.
Diluting concentrates outside of the customer premises - back door of van, plenty of ventilation.
Only carrying or storing enough product to meet your needs.
Control of access to the working area.

Your completed form doesn't have to be a great lengthy thing that goes on and on.  Just show that you have given it some thought and have control measures in place.  High risk areas will have a greater demand than low risk obviously.

Agree with Kevin though.  I did them at my last 'proper' job and the only person who read it was the H&S auditor.  And he skim read through it to check it had the correct dates and signatures.  The actual content seemed irrelevant so long as boxes could be ticked.