Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
COSHH
Expert local exhaust ventilation system inspections
In modern workplaces, ensuring the health and safety of employees who work with, or create hazardous substances has never been more important. This is why BES Group are committed to supporting our customers by inspecting their LEV systems with our thorough COSHH inspections.
Specialist COSHH inspections
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations are a set of legislations designed to control the exposure of employees to hazardous substances in the workplace.
COSHH regulations were put in place to prevent or reduce the risks associated with the use, handling, storage, and transportation of these substances, and play a key role in keeping those working with hazardous substances safe and healthy.
COSHH states that, ‘every employer shall ensure that the exposure of his employees to substances hazardous to health shall be prevented, or where it is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.’ Where a control needs to be applied, local exhaust ventilation is used.
Two key ways to ensure employees are safe and businesses are compliant when it comes to safely working with hazardous substances are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems.
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Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is type of equipment that controls, captures, or contains airborne releases at ‘or close to’ the point of emission by means of ventilation and conveys the pollutant to a point where it can be safely collected or released.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations require that LEV plant is examined by a competent person and this examination should be completed at intervals dependent on the trade/ business and the application of the equipment.
What harmful substances does COSHH cover?
There are many types of materials and substances used or created at work that could harm you and your employees’ health.
From dust, fumes, and gases that you breathe in, to liquids, gels, or powders that come into contact with your skin, keeping in compliance with COSHH can help to minimise the risk of serious long-term health effects from impacting you and your people.
There are lots of workplaces that need to comply with COSHH, including factories, quarries, mines, woodworking, and plastics factories, but there are others that you may not be aware fall under these regulations, including:
- Cleaners
- Automotive industry
- Construction
- Food preparation
Harmful substances like the ones mentioned above can be present in anything from flour dust and solder fumes to paints, cleaners, and even blood and waste. But illnesses caused by these substances at work can be prevented.
At BES Group, you can rest assured that your safety is our priority with our team of specialists who work across the UK, keeping Local Exhaust Ventilation systems in full working order and compliant with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
Your safety, our focus.
FAQs
What are the requirements of COSHH?
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There are several key responsibilities that employers need to comply with regarding Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, including:
- Exposure – Employers must prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances in their workplace, such as providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary
- Control measures – Employers are responsible for making sure control measures around hazardous substances are maintained, kept up to date, and in full working order
- Instruction – Employers must provide employees with information, instruction, and training about working with hazardous substances
- Procedures – Employees must have procedures in place to deal with accidents or emergencies involving hazardous substances
- Surveillance – Employers must make sure that employees who are exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace are under adequate surveillance
- Risk assessments – Employers must regularly carry out risk assessments in line with COSHH regulations
Limits – Employers must make sure that employees working with hazardous substances don’t exceed the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL)
How do I comply with COSHH?
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To comply with COSHH, you need to:
- Identify the hazardous substances in your workplace.
- Assess the risks associated with exposure to these substances.
- Take steps to control the risks.
- Monitor the effectiveness of the control measures.
- Review your COSHH assessment regularly.
What are the risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances?
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The risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances can vary depending on the substance, the level of exposure, and the individual. However, some common risks include:
- Health problems: Exposure to hazardous substances can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, skin problems, and cancer.
- Accidents: Hazardous substances can also cause accidents, such as fires, explosions, and poisonings.
- Legal liability: If someone is injured or killed due to exposure to a hazardous substance, the employer could be held legally liable.
What are the consequences of not complying with COSHH?
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The consequences of not complying with COSHH can be serious, and could include:
- Health problems: Every year, workers in the United Kingdom contract asthma or lung disease, because they’ve been exposed to fumes, dust, or other airborne contaminants at their workplace.
- Accidents: Accidents involving hazardous substances can cause serious injuries or death.
- Legal liability: Employers who do not comply with COSHH may be held legally liable for any injuries or deaths that occur, resulting in fines or prison
- Financial penalties: Employers who do not comply with COSHH could face unlimited fines from the HSE.
What are the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees under COSHH?
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Under COSHH, employers have a duty to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous substances. This includes:
- Identifying the hazardous substances in the workplace.
Assessing the risks associated with exposure to these substances. - Taking steps to control the risks.
- Providing employees with information and training about the hazards.
Employees also have rights under COSHH. These include:
- The right to be informed about the hazardous substances in the workplace.
- The right to be trained about the hazards.
- The right to refuse to work if they believe that their health is at risk.
Key benefits
Reduced risk of ill health
COSHH helps to reduce the risk of ill health caused by exposure to hazardous substances, leading to improved health and well-being for employees.
Increased productivity
COSHH can help to increase productivity by reducing the number of accidents and illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
Reduced costs
COSHH can help to reduce costs by reducing the number of accidents and illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
Improved working environment
COSHH can help to improve the working environment by reducing the levels of hazardous substances in the air, water, and soil, leading to a healthier and more comfortable working environment for employees.
Reduced risk of ill health
COSHH helps to reduce the risk of ill health caused by exposure to hazardous substances, leading to improved health and well-being for employees.
Increased productivity
COSHH can help to increase productivity by reducing the number of accidents and illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
Reduced costs
COSHH can help to reduce costs by reducing the number of accidents and illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances.
Improved working environment
COSHH can help to improve the working environment by reducing the levels of hazardous substances in the air, water, and soil, leading to a healthier and more comfortable working environment for employees.
Did you know...
2,087
work-related ill health cases were caused by COSHH in 2021/22, according to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
£1.2 billion
is spent annually on cases of work-related ill health where hazardous substances were a factor according to the HSE.
26 deaths
were caused by exposure to hazardous substances in 2021/22, according to the HSE.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
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Customer
Senior Project Manager
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The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
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Customer
Project Operations Manager
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BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
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Industry competitor
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We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
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Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
Why choose us
Accredited Inspections
Our engineer surveyors are accredited to the highest industry standards, which means we’re well equipped to carry out our complete inspection service offering, no matter your requirements.
Quality inspection services
Our team of specialist engineers are trained to the highest industry standards, and as an accredited organisation, we’re well placed to carry out this critical inspection service at your site.
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
800+ expert engineers
Our team of over 800 skilled engineers possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of disciplines. Their deep understanding of your equipment and operating conditions ensures that they deliver proactive solutions that optimise asset performance and minimise downtime
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
With over 160 years of experience in the industry, we've witnessed the evolution of industry practices and have adapted our approach to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Our deep understanding of asset management, compliance and predictive technologies enables us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational excellence.
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