Easy Steps To Control Chemicals

Health and Safety
Executive
The technical basis for COSHH

essentials: Easy steps to control
chemicals
Introduction
1 This report summarises the technical basis of the generic risk assessment
scheme used in the Health and Safety Executives (HSEs) guide COSHH
essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals.1 It replaces the priced publication
The technical basis for COSHH essentials (ISBN 978 0 7176 2434 8) and partly
replaces publication HSG193.1 It complements and updates the articles published
in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene.2, 3, 4
2 Part 1 is aimed at occupational hygienists and other specialists who want to:
understand more of the background and technical issues;

know how to apply COSHH essentials when there is more information about the
toxicological hazard than is given by the R-phrase (CHIP5 classification) or the
H-statement (CLP-GHS6 classification);
know how to use COSHH essentials in less common situations; or
extend it to cover additional tasks or process-generated hazards.
3 This report describes the basis for the generic risk assessment to identify a
Control Approach, appropriate to control the risk. It explains the technical basis
of the scheme and provides information when additional toxicological information is
available. It does not cover validation of the scheme or its development, which the
papers by Brooke3 and Maidment4 cover in some detail. The information here helps
those with more specialist knowledge to adapt the scheme or develop guidance
specific to their processes.
4 A subgroup of HSEs Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS)

developed the risk assessment scheme.
5 Part 2 explains the routines used in the Internet version of COSHH essentials
(www.coshh-essentials.org.uk) and its application to some common situations.
6 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

(as amended)7 provide the main legislation in Great Britain to protect against health
risks arising from hazardous substances used at work. Under COSHH, employers
have a duty to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and take steps
to ensure exposure is prevented or adequately controlled. There is a detailed
Approved Code of Practice.8
7 However, extensive market research showed that many small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) have difficulty with this approach.9 Responses to HSEs
consultation document on small firms showed that SMEs want basic, readily
available advice that sets out what they need to do.
The technical basis for COSHH essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals 1 of 25 pages
Health and Safety
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8 COSHH essentials meets this need for many chemicals and products. It has
two aspects:
simple generic risk assessment producing advice on good control practice for
common operations control guidance sheets;
control guidance sheets for certain industry-specific tasks or processes.
9 COSHH essentials has the status of guidance. Control guidance sheets are
written in a straightforward style, for use by employers and others in SMEs who are
unlikely to have skills in chemical risk assessment. COSHH essentials guidance is
intended to inform but not to constrain occupational hygiene professionals.
Part 1: A generic risk assessment scheme
10 The scheme provides a practical route for selecting an appropriate Control

Approach:
general ventilation;
engineering control local exhaust ventilation, eg dust or vapour extraction;
containment.
11 For some common operations (eg mixing, filling, weighing), the scheme
indicates appropriate control guidance sheets that contain basic descriptions of
control equipment and good practice.
Table 1 Generic (G) control guidance sheets

Unit Operation Title No. Solid Liquid
General tasks General ventilation G100 Y Y
Storage General storage G101 Y Y
Open bulk storage G102 Y
Removing waste from dust
Dust extraction G103 Y
extraction unit
General tasks Local exhaust ventilation G200 Y Y
Fume cupboard G201 Y Y
Laminar flow booth G202 Y Y
Ventilated workbench G203 Y Y
extraction unit
Transfer Conveyor transfer G205 Y
Sack filling G206 Y
Sack filling G207 Y
Sack emptying G208 Y
Filling kegs G209 Y
Charging reactors/mixers from a
G210 Y
sack or keg
IBC filling and emptying G211 Y
Drum filling G212 Y
Drum emptying (drum pump) G213 Y
Weighing Weighing G214 Y
Mixing Mixing G215 Y
Mixing G216 Y
Mixing G217 Y
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Unit Operation Title No. Solid Liquid

Sieving Sieving G218 Y
Screening Screening G219 Y
Surface coating Spray painting G220 Y
Spray painting G221 Y
Powder coating G222 Y
Lamination Batch lamination G223 Y
Continuous lamination G224 Y
Dipping Pickling bath G225 Y
Pickling bath G226 Y
Vapour degreasing bath G227 Y
Drying Tray drying oven G228 Y Y
Continuous drying labyrinth oven G229 Y
Pelletising Pelletising G230 Y
Tablet press G231 Y
General tasks Containment G300 Y Y
Glove box G301 Y Y
extraction unit
Transfer Transferring solids G303 Y
Sack emptying G304 Y
Drum filling G305 Y
Drum emptying G306 Y
Tanker filling and emptying G309 Y
Tanker filling and emptying G310 Y
Filling kegs G311 Y
Transferring liquid by pump G312 Y
Packet filling G313 Y
Bottle filling G314 Y
Weighing Weighing G315 Y
Weighing G316 Y
Mixing Mixing G317 Y
Mixing G318 Y
Surface coating Robot spray booth G319 Y
Automated powder coating G320 Y
Dipping Vapour degreasing bath G321 Y
Drying Spray drying G322 Y Y
Special General principles G400
Health surveillance for occupational
G402
asthma
Skin or eye
General advice S100
contact
Selection of personal protective
S101
equipment
12 Appendix 1 contains an index to guide the selection of control guidance sheets.
13 Table 2 lists new sheets, some of which should be available as automatically-

selected downloads from the COSHH essentials web tool.
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Table 2 New guidance sheets for skin and eye contact; respiratory protective equipment
(RPE); and generic special advice
Topic Title No.
Skin and eye Skin or eye contact S100
Selecting protective gloves S101
Selecting personal protective equipment (PPE) S102
Skin or eye contact S200
RPE UK Standard Assigned Protection Factor 4 (APF4) R1
UK Standard Assigned Protection Factor 10 (APF10) R2
Breathing apparatus with UK Standard Assigned Protection
R5
Factor 40
Special Health monitoring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease G401
Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis G403
Health surveillance exposed to respirable crystalline silica
G404
(RCS)
New and existing engineering control systems G406
Urine sampling for isocyanate exposure measurement G408
Exposure measurement air sampling G409
14 Generic risk assessment takes account of the chemicals or products health

hazard, and the exposure potential.
The health hazard is represented by the R-phrases assigned to substances

during classification by suppliers under CHIP5 or the CLP-GHS.6
The exposure potential is represented by physical properties of the substances
(dustiness for solids, volatility for liquids) and the amount used in an operation or
batch process.
Figure 1 Factors used in risk assessment to identify appropriate control measures
HEALTH + EXPOSURE GENERIC RISK CONTROL

HAZARD POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT APPROACH
Substance Substance Combine health Approach needed for
allocated to a allocated to a hazard with exposure adequate control
Hazard Group dustiness or potential factors to
using R-phrase or volatility band and determine the degree
H-statement a band for the of control needed
scale of use
15 Note: this generic risk assessment applies to liquids and solids only: it does not
apply to gases or to liquids used above their boiling point.
16 The generic risk assessment scheme (which is not intended for use as an
exposure model):
defines adequate control for different hazards in exposure ranges;

identifies exposure ranges associated with Control Approaches for different
situations; and
considers ways to link these.
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17 The four steps involved in the schemes development are covered in

paragraphs 18 to 36:
Step 1: Group the hazards that have adequate control at similar airborne
concentrations.
Step 2: Group the physical properties with amounts used that show similar
potentials for exposure.
Step 3: Assess the anticipated exposure from each Control Approach, for each
combination of physical property and amount.
Step 4: Link Step 1 with Step 3, to form the generic risk assessment scheme.
Step 1: Grouping hazards
18 Hazards were allocated to one of five groups, A to E, by the R-phrases given

Notes to Table 3 in CHIP, and in the H-statements in the CLP-GHS by analogy. Table 3 gives the
1 Units parts per million ranges assigned to each group and the associated R-phrases or H-statements.
(ppm), and milligrams per Brookes paper states the rationale for this grouping. Appendix 3 lists the
cubic metre (mg/m3). R-phrases and H-statements used in COSHH essentials.
2 R-phrase combinations, 19 Groups A, B, C and D cover a logarithmic concentration range for dusts and
eg R20/21/22 means R20, vapours. The upper boundary for Group A represents levels that should not be
R21, R22 and combinations exceeded regularly, in accordance with good control practice: 500 parts per million
thereof. Examples of other (ppm) for vapours and 10 mg/m3 (milligrams per cubic metre) for dusts.
combinations include
R42/43. Modifiers R39/, 20 Hazards (R or H) were assigned to one of the Groups A to D where an airborne
R48/ and R68/ change the concentration range could be identified as providing adequate control. Where
emphasis of the subsequent no such airborne range could be identified, eg for serious health effects such as
R-numbers. cancer, the hazard was assigned to Group E.
Table 3 Allocation of R-phrase or GHS phrase to Hazard Group; concentration range

Hazard Concentration
Type Units R-phrases H-statements
Group range
Dust >1 to 10 mg/m3 H303, H304, H305, H313, H315,
R36, R38 and all R-numbers H316, H318, H319, H320, H333,
A
not otherwise listed H336 and all H-numbers not
Vapour >50 to 500 ppm
otherwise listed
Dust >0.1 to 1 mg/m3

R20/21/22 and
B H302, H312, H332, H371
Vapour >5 to 50 ppm R68/20/21/22
Dust >0.01 to 0.1 mg/m3 R23/24/25, R34, R35, R37,

H301, H311, H314, H317, H318,
C R39/23/24/25, R41, R43,
Vapour >0.5 to 5 ppm H331, H335, H370, H373
R48/20/21/22, R68/23/24/25
Dust <0.01 mg/m3 R26/27/28, R39/26/27/28,

H300, H310, H330, H351,
D R40, R48/23/24/25, R60,
Vapour <0.5 ppm H360, H361, H362, H372
R61, R62, R63, R64
Dust - mg/m3
R42, R45, R46, H334, H340,
E
Vapour - ppm R49, R68 H341, H350
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Hazard Group S skin and eye exposure

21 Group S was triggered by risk-phrase numbers R21, R24, R27, R34, R35,
R37, R38, R41, R43, and R21, R24 or R27 in combination with R39, R48 or R68.
However, since most substances and products can irritate or penetrate the skin,
there is nearly always a skin risk.
Step 2: Grouping physical properties and amounts
22 The determinants of exposure in COSHH essentials are physical property and

amount in use.
23 The physical property for solids is a subjective assessment of the materials

dustiness. Simple descriptors of dustiness put a substance into a high, medium or
low dustiness band.
24 The physical property for liquids is volatility at the process temperature. A chart
relating boiling point to process temperature allocates a substance into a high,
medium or low volatility band.
25 The other determinant is the amount in use for the task. Table 4 describes
these determinants.
Table 4 Exposure potential

Solid Liquid
Determinant Dustiness Volatility
Low
Low Pellet - does not volatility
break up 300
Medium
Boiling point of liquid C
volatility
250
Medium Granular or 200

High
crystalline volatility
150
100
High Fine solid and light 50
powder
25
20 50 75 100 125 150
Operating temperature C
Determinant Amount Amount

Small Grams Millilitres
Medium Kilograms Litres
Large Tonnes Cubic metres
26 The ACTS subgroup used professional judgement to allocate combinations of

physical property and amount into one of four Exposure Predictor Bands. These
EP bands are shown in Table 5.
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Table 5 Definitions of Exposure Predictor Bands from amount and exposure potential
Low dustiness Medium High dustiness Exposure
dustiness Predictor Band
Grams Grams EP1 Solid
Kilograms and Grams EP2 Solid

tonnes
Kilograms Kilograms EP3 Solid
Tonnes Tonnes EP4 Solid
Low volatility Medium volatility High volatility Exposure

Predictor Band
Millilitres EP1 Liquid
Litres and cubic Millilitres Millilitres EP2 Liquid

metres
Litres and cubic Litres EP3 Liquid
metres
Cubic metres EP4 Liquid
Note: Table 7 associates these EP bands with exposure bands
27 A third factor, duration of exposure, influences exposure potential. This was

not included in the generic risk assessment scheme. However, COSHH essentials
contains a filter for activity with a total time below 15 minutes per day. An
explanation for Time is in Part 2, in the Cut-off values section.
Step 3: Predicting exposures using Control Approaches
28 There are four basic Control Approaches used in COSHH essentials generic
risk assessment.
Table 6 Four Control Approaches

Control Type Relative General description
Approach efficacy
1 General 1 A good standard of general ventilation
ventilation and good working practices.
2 Engineering 10-fold Local exhaust ventilation ranging from
control reduction well-positioned capturing and receiving
hoods to effective partial enclosing
hoods.
3 Containment 100-fold Full enclosures and containment, where
reduction small-scale breaches may be expected.
4 Special - Expert advice is required to select
appropriate control measures.
Note: The efficacy estimate is, in many cases, precautionary and relative to general ventilation
(=1).
29 The ACTS subgroup applied professional judgement to determine, for each

Exposure Predictor Band EP1 to 4 (solid or liquid) in Table 5, the exposure levels
that would result from applying Control Approach 1, 2 or 3 in Table 6.
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30 Table 7 presents the outcome of ACTS judgement.
Table 7 Relating Exposure Predictor Bands to Control Approach

Predicted exposures for dust in air, milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3)
Exposure Control Approach 1 Control Approach 2 Control Approach 3
Predictor Band
EP1 Solid 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01 <0.001
EP2 Solid 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01
EP3 Solid 1 to 10 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1
EP4 Solid >10 1 to 10 0.1 to 1
Predicted exposures for vapour in air, parts per million (ppm)

Exposure Control Approach 1 Control Approach 2 Control Approach 3
Predictor Band
EP1 Liquid <5 <0.5 <0.05
EP2 Liquid 5 to 50 0.5 to 5 0.05 to 0.5
EP3 Liquid 50 to 500 5 to 50 0.5 to 5
EP4 Liquid >500 5 to 500 0.5 to 5
Step 4: Linking the hazards acceptable exposure with

predicted exposure
31 The final step to complete the risk assessment scheme is to relate the target
airborne exposure range for each Hazard Group (Table 3) to the Exposure Predictor
Bands (Table 7).
Box 1
Method
For a given Exposure Predictor Band:
Does general ventilation (Control Approach 1) give exposures within or below

the Hazard Group concentration range (Table 3)? If so, CA1 is appropriate:
otherwise it is not.
Does engineering control (Control Approach 2) give exposures within or below

the Hazard Group concentration range? If so, CA2 is appropriate: otherwise it
is not.
A similar analysis applies for Control Approach 3.
If none of these approaches is able to give sufficiently low exposures, specialist

advice is recommended (Control Approach 4).
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32 Table 8 shows the allocation of hazard bands to Table 7.
Table 8 Relating Exposure Predictor Bands and Control Approach to Hazard Group
Predicted exposure ranges for dust in air, milligrams per cubic

metre (mg/m3)
Exposure Control Control Control Control
Predictor Band Approach 1 Approach 2 Approach 3 Approach 4
EP1 Solid 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01 <0.001
Hazard Groups A, B, C D - -
EP2 Solid 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01
Hazard Groups A, B C D -
EP3 Solid 1 to 10 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1
Hazard Groups A B C D
EP4 Solid >10 1 to 10 0.1 to 1
Hazard Groups - A B C, D
Predicted exposure ranges for vapour in air, parts per million (ppm)
Exposure Control Control Control Control
Predictor Band Approach 1 Approach 2 Approach 3 Approach 4
EP1 Liquid <5 <0.5 <0.05
Hazard Groups A, B, C D - -
EP2 Liquid 5 to 50 0.5 to 5 0.05 to 0.5
Hazard Groups A, B C D -
EP3 Liquid 50 to 500 5 to 50 0.5 to 5
Hazard Groups A B C D
EP4 Liquid >500 5 to 500 0.5 to 5
Hazard Groups - A, B C D
33 These predictions were validated and refined either by comparison with

published exposure data, or where this has not been available, by extensive peer
review. Maidments paper4 provides further information on the development and
validation of Steps 2 and 3. Independent validation of some general ventilation and
engineering control scenarios was undertaken based on BAuA data.10 Validation of
containment scenarios continues.
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Box 2
Example: a solid in Hazard Group B
Hazard Group B: target exposure range = 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 of dust.
Gram quantities
EP1, low/medium dusty solid g 0.01 to 0.1 mg/m3 with general ventilation
Below target range of 0.1 to 1 mg/m3: CA1 is adequate.
EP2, high dusty solid g 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 with general ventilation
Within target range of 0.1 to 1 mg/m3: CA1 is adequate.
Kilogram quantities
EP3, medium dusty material g1 to 10 mg/m3 with general ventilation
Outside target range of 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 with CA1.
With CA2 g 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 is within target range. CA2 is adequate.
Tonne quantities
EP4, medium dusty material g >10 mg/m3 with general ventilation
Outside target range of 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 with CA1.
Outside target range of 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 with CA2 (1 to 10 mg/m3).
With CA3 g 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 is within target range. CA3 is adequate.
34 Table 9 rearranges the information in Table 8 to relate the Hazard Group

directly to the Control Approach. The exposure ranges are unnecessary information.
Table 9 Control Approaches (CAs) needed for each Hazard Group
Hazard Group and phase Exposure Predictor Band

EP1 EP2 EP3 EP4
A solid CA1 CA1 CA1 CA2
A liquid CA1 CA1 CA1 * CA2
B solid CA1 CA1 CA2 CA3
B liquid CA1 CA1 CA2 CA2
C solid CA1 CA2 CA3 CA4
C liquid CA1 CA2 CA3 CA3
D solid CA2 CA3 CA4 CA4
D liquid CA2 CA3 CA4 CA4
E solid CA4 CA4 CA4 CA4
E liquid CA4 CA4 CA4 CA4
Note: * CA1 for EP3, Hazard Group A liquid. Subsequent validation tests found that large-
scale use of medium-volatility liquid required Control Approach 2.
35 Table 9 was refigured and published as reproduced in Appendix 2, part of

HSG193 (ISBN 0 7176 2737 3). Figure 2 re-expresses this table.
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LIQUID: Volatility
Figure 2
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G 4 1 M
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1 to 4: Control Approach
Hazard Group E
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ALL
L: Low, M: Medium, H: High
SOLID: Dustiness
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Inner circle: Small amounts

Middle circle: Medium amounts
Outer circle: Large amounts
36 There are three differences between Table 9 and Figure 2:
As noted in the footnote to Table 9, a medium amount of high-volatility liquid in

Hazard Group A takes Control Approach 2.
A precautionary difference compared with Table 9, a large amount of high-
volatility liquid in Hazard Group B takes Control Approach 3 rather than 2.
A precautionary difference compared with Table 9, a large amount of medium-
volatility liquid in Hazard Group C takes Control Approach 4 rather than 3.
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Further information on how to use COSHH essentials
37 COSHH essentials provides simple control advice for many commonly

occurring situations, using information from Part 15 of the safety data sheet. The
system makes no attempt to cover every possible exposure scenario, or explain
just how to use additional toxicological information. In any case, REACH11 safety
data sheets should stipulate risk management measures for exposure scenarios, so
COSHH essentials, in its generic form, is likely to fall into disuse over the next
decade.
38 The schemes in COSHH essentials can be used for other purposes, for
example:
to compare substances and help in making decisions on substitution;

to suggest the degree of control required of a control system.
39 This section provides further information for the more specialist user.
Toxicological information
40 Only some CHIP classification criteria take account of potency. Potency is the
strength of a substances ability to cause a specified health effect. Examples where
potency is part of classification are for single or repeated exposure effects, such as
R20 to R28, R34 and R35, the R48 combinations.
41 Classification criteria that do not involve consideration of potency include

respiratory tract irritation (R37), respiratory sensitisation (R42) and skin sensitisation
(R43). The classification is based simply on a committees yes/no decision. For
carcinogens and substances toxic to reproduction, classification is based on
strength of evidence that does not take potency into account.
42 R-phrases that do not involve consideration of potency (which may vary

considerably) were assigned to Hazard Groups on the basis of:
the seriousness of the health effect; and

whether an exposure range could be identified to represent adequate control.
43 Consequently, the ACTS group allocated each of these R-phrases in such

Hazard Groups as they considered would not lead to health risks, even if
exposure were at the upper end of the range for the most potent substance with
that R-phrase. The subgroup felt strongly that this precautionary approach was
appropriate for a generic risk assessment scheme.
44 Where it was impossible to identify an exposure range representing adequate

control for an R-phrase, it was allocated to Hazard Group E. This meant that the
substance so classified required individual and expert consideration.
45 When an expert has access to toxicological information, eg the dose-response

relationship, for an effect of a particular substance with no potency delimiter,
COSHH essentials allows allocation to another Hazard Group. (See Reduction
of Hazard Group section.) This is usually a lower Hazard Group, for example a
substance assigned R37 (respiratory tract irritation) from Group C to Group B, or
R60-R63 (effects on reproduction) from Group D to Group C.
46 Substances assigned R45, R46 and R49 (Group E) are subject to the
Carcinogens Approved Code of Practice8 and must not be assigned to another
group. Other R-phrases in Group E are associated with serious health effects:
allocation to another group is not recommended.
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47 For substances for which the lead health effect is skin sensitisation (R43),
allocation to a lower group may be appropriate if there is evidence to show that
sensitisation is unlikely to result from contact with the airborne substance. However,
any substance labelled R43 is a candidate for health surveillance (skin).
Part 2: Routines for mixtures within the Internet version of

COSHH essentials
48 The routines for mixtures in COSHH essentials are:
If any component is in Hazard Group S, then the mixture is Hazard Group S.

If any component is in Hazard Group E, then the mixture is Hazard Group E.
If any component is in Hazard Group D at >= 0.05% then the mixture is Hazard
Group D.
If any component is in Hazard Group C at >= 0.5% then the mixture is Hazard
Group C.
If any component has a classification R43 then see subsidiary R43 rules
(below).
If any component is in Hazard Group B at >= 10% then the mixture is Hazard
Group B.
Otherwise the mixture is Hazard Group A.
Subsidiary R43 rules for mixtures

49 Where any component of the mixture has R43 at or above 0.1% but less than
0.5%, classing the mixture as Hazard Group C results in an over-precautionary
Control Approach. The volatility or dustiness should relate to the major component
of the mixture (Hazard Group A or B). The following matrix replaces the look-
up table on page 15 of HSG193 for substances in Hazard Groups A and B that
contain 0.1% to less than 0.5% of an R43 component.
Table 10 R43 mixture rules

Low High
Medium Medium
dustiness/ dustiness/
volatility dustiness
volatility volatility
Substance with >= 0.1% to <0.5% of a component with R43 and
Amount
no other mixture component giving Hazard Group C or D
Small CA1 CA2 CA1 CA2
Medium CA1 CA2 CA2 CA2
Large CA2 CA3 CA3 CA3
Note: CA1, CA2 and CA3 are Control Approaches.
The option for stipulating water as a mixture ingredient is not implemented (water,
by default, is Hazard Group A). However for mixtures of solid in water, the volatility
may be assumed as low rather than medium (ie boiling point >150C, not 100C).
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Summary of the rules, conversion factors and default values in

COSHH essentials
Hazard Grouping
The Hazard Group according to the CHIP R-phrases is as set out in Appendix 3,
with the exception of R39 in combination with 20, 21 or 22, which is rarely used.
Reduction of Hazard Group based on specific toxicological information
R-phrases R34, R35 and R37

The R-phrases R34 or R35 (corrosive) normally require Hazard Group C because
of concerns for respiratory tract irritation. R-phrase R37 (respiratory tract irritancy)
normally falls into Hazard Group C.
The expert can consider allocating substances with these R-phrases to Hazard
Group B when there are no other R-phrases that require the substance to be
assigned to Hazard Group C, D or E, and when:
respiratory tract irritation has been quantitatively studied in humans in good-

quality investigations and there is clear evidence from these studies that the
threshold concentration for respiratory tract irritancy is > 0.1 mg/m3 for dusts or
> 5 ppm for vapours.
The expert can consider allocating them to Hazard Group A when there are no
other R-phrases that require the substance to be assigned to Hazard Group B, C,
D or E, and when:
respiratory tract irritation has been quantitatively studied in humans in good-

quality investigations and there is clear evidence from these studies that the
threshold concentration for respiratory tract irritancy is > 1 mg/m3 for dusts or >
50 ppm for vapours.
R-phrases R62 and R63

The R-phrase R62 (Category 3, impaired fertility) normally falls into Hazard Group
D. The expert can consider allocating a substance with R62 into Hazard Group C
when there are no other R-phrases that require the substance to be assigned to
Hazard Group D or E, and when:
the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for reproductive toxicity,
obtained from good-quality animal studies, is > 5 mg/kg/day oral; or > 10 mg/
kg/day dermal; or 0.025 mg/l/6hr day inhalation.
The expert can consider allocating to Hazard Group B when there are no other
R-phrases that require the substance to be assigned to Hazard Group C, D or E,
and when:
the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for reproductive toxicity,
The R-phrase R63 (Category 3, harm to unborn child) normally falls into Hazard
Group D. The expert can consider allocating to Hazard Group C when there are no
other R-phrases that require the substance to be assigned to Hazard Group D or E,
and when:
the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for developmental toxicity,
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The expert can consider allocating to Hazard Group B when there are no other risk
phrases that require the substance to be assigned to Hazard Group C, D or E, and
when:
the lowest observed effect level (LOAEL), for developmental toxicity, obtained
from good-quality animal studies, is > 50 mg/kg/day oral; or > 100 mg/kg/day
dermal; or 0.25 mg/l/6hr day inhalation.
Conversion factors
Temperatures
Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273. Room temperature (default) is taken as 25C.
For activities at room temperature, low volatility means a boiling point above 150C,
medium volatility a boiling point between 50C and 150C, and high volatility a
boiling point at or below 50C. There is no conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius,
C = 5/9 x (F 32).
Where heating or cooling is applied, for process temperature (PT) the volatility band
is determined as follows:
If boiling point <= 2 x PT + 10, then volatility = high.

If boiling point between 2 x PT + 10 and 5 x PT + 50, then volatility = medium.
If boiling point >= 5 x PT + 50, then volatility = low.
Pressures
1 atmosphere = 760 mm mercury (mm Hg) or 760 torr
= 101.325 kPa = 101325 Pa (Pascals)
= 0.98 Bar = 980 mBar
The values used in COSHH essentials to allocate high, medium and low volatility
are given in Table 11.
Table 11 Volatility and vapour pressures

Volatility band Vapour pressure
Low Less than 500 Pa
Medium 500 to 25 000 Pa
High More than 25 000 Pa
Calculation of vapour pressure at one temperature for data quoted at another

temperature
This calculation combines the Clausius-Clapeyron equation with the Trouton
Rule, as described in Horvath A L (Molecular design, Elsevier 1992 p.285). It is
an approximation that is acceptable given the precautionary nature of COSHH
essentials.
LnPatm = -10.6 x (Tbp / T 1) where Ln is the natural logarithm, P is in atmospheres,

and Tbp (boiling point) and T (temperature of the process) are in Kelvin.
The quoted value for the vapour pressure at a specified temperature is used to
calculate a notional boiling point. Substituting this value in the equation with the
temperature at which you use the substance will produce the vapour pressure at
that temperature.
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Cut-off values
Temperature and pressure

A lower temperature cut-off for boiling point = 20C. A cut-off for vapour pressure
was set at 1 atmosphere. Such substances will be in the vapour phase at room
temperature (a gas), and COSHH essentials cannot currently deal with gases.
Frequency and duration of use (time-weighting)

A threshold of 15 minutes use per day was built in to the electronic COSHH
essentials, below which the Control Approach drops from 3 (containment) to 2
(engineering control), or from 2 to 1 (general ventilation). The superficial reason for
this is that COSHH essentials is task-based and precautionary.
The HSC Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances judged that the level of
control needed for (undefined) short-term activity did not hold the same degree of
reasonable practicability as the level of control for prolonged use.
The hypothesis underlying COSHH essentials is that an increase in Control

Approach (1 to 2, or 2 to 3) affords at least a 10-fold increase in protection from
dusts and vapours. Were you to exceed an 8-hour limit value ten-fold over 30
minutes, with no further exposure, that would equate to the limit value over 300
minutes, ie less than 8 hours.
New rules for producing guidance on exposure on or via the skin

Control Approach 4 S200
Control Approach 3 S100 + S101 + S102
Control Approach 3 maintenance S200 + S101 + S102
Control Approach 2 S100 + S101 + S102
Where R43 classification appears G403
New rules for producing guidance on RPE

Table 12 is taken from Respiratory protective equipment at work.12
Table 12 Selection of an RPE standard with COSHH essentials input data

Dustiness or volatility
Hazard
Amount
Group Low Medium High
Small - - -
A Medium - APF = 4 APF = 10
Large APF = 4 APF = 10 APF = 20
Small - APF = 4 APF = 4
B Medium - APF = 10 APF = 20
Small - APF = 4 APF = 4
C Medium APF = 10 APF = 10 APF = 20
Small APF = 10 APF = 20 APF = 40
D Medium APF = 20 APF = 40 APF = 40
Small APF = 10 APF = 20 APF = 40
E Medium APF = 20 APF = 40 APF = 40
Note: Assigned protection factors are based on those in BS 4275.
Health and Safety
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New rules for producing other guidance

Control Approach 2 and 3 G406 (LEV care)
All Control Approaches G409 (air sampling)
Less common situations and COSHH essentials
The following paragraphs give advice for:
solutions (dissolved substance);

aerosol generation;
volatile solids.
Solutions of a solid in a liquid
COSHH essentials produces different controls for dusts and vapours. It cannot deal
with both at once. The most common situation is mixing a solid and liquid. The
controls are considered separately for transfer into the mixing container. Once in a
liquid, dustiness is not relevant. So in the assessment:
Treat solids dissolved or dispersed in water as liquid with low volatility (despite
water having a boiling point that normally causes it to be medium volatility).
Treat solids dissolved or dispersed in a solvent as solid-in-liquid. Take the
volatility as that of the main solvent.

Where a substance is classified R43, retain this classification unless there is less
than 0.1% of that substance in the solvent.
Aerosol formation and generation
Where a task is likely to generate an aerosol, there is a significant increase in the

exposure potential. It can be difficult to estimate the amount of aerosol, so it is
precautionary to consider the amount as the total amount of substance in use.
Aerosols form in:
spraying and printing;

electroplating with gas generation;
hot vapour condensation (fume);
dispersal through contact with fast-moving machinery;
decompression, such as a pre-packaged hand-held aerosol spray product.
Specific control guidance sheets are available for some aerosol-generating tasks
(Appendix 1). Otherwise, the precautionary principle is advised: to adopt a more
stringent control approach than indicated by COSHH essentials.
COSHH essentials was never designed to assess gases. For hand-held aerosol
sprays, the propellant is considered as a gas by COSHH essentials and the
assessment halts. The solution is to ignore the propellant, to take the boiling point
as that of the lowest boiling ingredient in the product, and the amount as small or, if
several cans are used (as in artwork), medium.
Volatile solids
Few solids have an appreciable vapour pressure (eg iodine, benzoquinone,

paraformaldehyde, naphthalene). For such substances, their dustiness may not
Health and Safety
Executive
show their full exposure potential: it may also be necessary to consider volatility.
The safety data sheet or supplier should give information on volatility.
For such substances, compare the Control Approaches for the solid and for the
vapour. The more stringent Control Approach takes precedence. The vapour
pressure bands in Table 11 apply. However, it is unlikely that many solids have
volatility above 0.5 kPa (4934 ppm) at room temperature.
Health and Safety
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Appendix 1: Index to generic series Control Guidance Sheets
Control Approach 1 General Ventilation
Unit Operation Sheet title Solids Liquids

Small Medium Large Small Medium Large
General tasks General ventilation G100 G100 G100 G100 G100 G100
Storage General storage G101 G101 G101 G101 G101 G101
Open bulk storage G102
Dust extraction Removing waste from dust extraction unit G103 G103 G103
Control Approach 2 Engineering Control

General tasks Local exhaust ventilation G200 G200 G200 G200 G200 G200
Fume cupboard G201 G201
Laminar flow booth G202 G202
Ventilated workbench G203 G203
Transfer Conveyor transfer G205 G205
Sack filling G206 G207
Sack emptying G208
Filling kegs G209
Charging reactors/mixers from a sack or keg G210 G210
IBC filling and emptying G211
Drum filling G212
Drum emptying (drum pump) G213
Weighing Weighing G201 G214 G201
Mixing Mixing G201 G215 G216 G201 G217 G217
Sieving Sieving (+ filtering) G218 G218
Screening Screening G219
Surface coating Spray painting G220 G221
Powder coating G222 G222
Lamination Batch lamination G223 G223
Continuous lamination G224 G224
Dipping Pickling bath G225 G226
Vapour degreasing bath G227 G227
Drying Tray drying oven G228 G228
Continuous drying labyrinth oven G229 G229
Pelletising Pelletising G230 G230
Tablet press G231
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Control Approach 3 Containment

General tasks Containment G300 G300 G300 G300 G300 G300
Glove box G301 G301
Transfer Transferring solids G303 G303
Sack emptying G304
Drum filling G305 G305
Drum emptying G306
Infrequent charging reactors/mixers from a
G210 G210
sack or keg
IBC filling and emptying G307 G308
Tanker filling and emptying G309 G310
Filling kegs G311 G213
Transferring liquid by pump G312 G312
Packet filling G301 G313 G313
Bottle filling G301 G314 G314
Weighing Weighing G301 G315 G315 G301 G316 G316
Mixing Mixing G301 G317 G317 G301 G318 G318
Surface coating Robot spray booth G319 G319
Automated powder coating G320 G320
Dipping Vapour degreasing bath G321 G321 G321
Drying Spray drying G322 G322 G322 G322
Pelletising Tablet press G231
Control Approach 4 Special
Sheet No Title
G400 General principles
G402 Health surveillance for occupational asthma
Control Approach S Chemicals causing harm by skin contact
Sheet No Title
S100 Skin or eye contact
S101 Selecting personal protective equipment
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Appendix 2: HSG193 look-up table

Look-up table to select Control Approach according to Hazard Group, amount, and
dustiness or volatility (reproduced from HSG193)1
Amount Low volatility Medium Medium High volatility

used or dustiness volatility dustiness or dustiness
Hazard Group A substances
Small 1 1 1 1
Medium 1 1 1 2
Large 1 1 2 2
Hazard Group B substances
Small 1 1 1 1
Medium 1 2 2 2
Large 1 2 3 3
Hazard Group C substances
Small 1 2 1 2
Medium 2 3 3 3
Large 2 4 4 4
Hazard Group D substances
Small 2 3 2 3
Medium 3 4 4 4
Large 3 4 4 4
Hazard Group E substances
All amounts 4 4 4 4
Note: the values in the box give the Control Approach: Exposure Predictor Band
The colour convention is carried through to COSHH essentials control guidance

sheets, with the addition of:
R
where the control is principally RPE in addition to other measures.
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Appendix 3: CHIP Risk (R) phrases and

CLP-GHS Hazard (H) statements
CHIP R-phrases
R-no Phrase Group Note

20 Harmful by inhalation B
21 Harmful in contact with skin B
22 Harmful if swallowed B
23 Toxic by inhalation C
24 Toxic in contact with skin C
25 Toxic if swallowed C
26 Very toxic by inhalation D
27 Very toxic in contact with skin D
28 Very toxic if swallowed D
34 Causes burns C
35 Causes severe burns C
36 Irritating to eyes A
37 Irritating to respiratory system C 1
38 Irritating to skin A
39 Danger of very serious irreversible effects - 2
40 Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect D 3
41 Risk of serious damage to the eyes C
42 May cause sensitisation by inhalation E
43 May cause sensitisation by skin contact C 4
45 May cause cancer E
46 May cause heritable genetic damage E
48 Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure +1 5
49 May cause cancer by inhalation E
60 May impair fertility D 1
61 May cause harm to the unborn child D 1
62 Risk of impaired fertility D 1
63 Possible risk of harm to the unborn child D 1
64 May cause harm to breastfed babies D 1
65 Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed A
66 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking A
67 Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness A
68 Possible risk of irreversible effects E 6
Notes: All phrases now considered a risk on or via the skin.
1 Based on evidence, experts can reduce Group from D to C or from C to B.

2 Combination phrase. No impact of header number - use the Group for the other
R-numbers.
3 Old data sheets have R40 as a combination phrase. If so, treat as (2).
4 As (1), but retain skin sensitisation in mixtures to a concentration of 0.1%.
5 Combination phrase. Group for R-numbers in combination rises from B to C or from
C to D.
6 If a combination phrase, as (2); otherwise Group E.
Health and Safety
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CLP-GHS Hazard (H) statements
H-stmt Phrase Group

300 Fatal if swallowed D
301 Toxic if swallowed C
302 Harmful if swallowed B
304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways A
310 Fatal in contact with skin D
311 Toxic in contact with skin C
312 Harmful in contact with skin B
314 Causes severe burns and eye damage C
315 Causes skin irritation A
317 May cause an allergic skin reaction C
318 Causes serious eye damage C
319 Causes serious eye irritation A
330 Fatal if inhaled D
331 Toxic if inhaled C
332 Harmful if inhaled B
May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if
334 E
inhaled
335 May cause respiratory irritation C
336 May cause dizziness or drowsiness A
340 May cause genetic defects (route if relevant) E
341 Suspected of causing genetic defects (route if relevant) E
350 May cause cancer (route if relevant) E
351 Suspected of causing cancer (route if relevant) D
May damage fertility or the unborn child (effect if known, route if
360 D
relevant)
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (effect if
361 D
known, route if relevant)
362 May cause harm to breast-fed children D
370 Causes damage to organs (organ if known, route if relevant) C
371 May cause damage to organs (organ if known, route if relevant) B
Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated
372 D
exposure (organ if known, route if relevant)
May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated
373 C
exposure (organ if known, route if relevant)
EU66 Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking A
EU70 Toxic by eye contact E
EU71 Corrosive to the respiratory tract C
Health and Safety
Executive
References and further information
1 COSHH essentials: easy steps to control chemicals (second edition) HSG193

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2737 3 no longer available in hard copy, web-only
version at www.coshh-essentials.org.uk
2 Russell RM, Maidment SC, Brooke IM et al An introduction to a UK scheme

to help small firms control health risks from chemicals Annals of Occupational
Hygiene August 1988 42(6) 367-376
3 Brooke IM A UK scheme to help small firms control risks to health from

exposure to chemicals: toxicological considerations Annals of Occupational
Hygiene August 1988 42(6) 377-390
4 Maidment SC Occupational hygiene considerations in the development of a

structured approach to select chemical control strategies Annals of Occupational
Hygiene August 1988 42(6) 391-400
5 CHIP: Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations

2002 see HSEs CHIP web pages www.hse.gov.uk/chip/index.htm
6 CLP: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and

packaging using GHS: United Nations Globally Harmonised System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals see HSEs GHS web pages
www.hse.gov.uk/ghs/index.htm
7 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as

amended) see HSEs COSHH web pages www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm
8 Control of substances hazardous to health (Fifth edition). The Control of

Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). Approved
Code of Practice and guidance L5 (Fifth edition) HSE Books 2005 ISBN 978 0
7176 2981 7
9 Topping MD, Williams CR, Devine JM Industrys perception and use of

occupational exposure limits Annals of Occupational Hygiene August 1988 42(6)
357-366
10 Tischer M, Bredendiek-Kamper S, Poppek U Evaluation of the HSE COSHH

essentials exposure predictive model on the basis of BAuA field studies and existing
substances exposure data Annals of Occupational Hygiene August 2003 47(7)
557-569
11 REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.

See HSEs REACH web pages www.hse.gov.uk/reach/index.htm
12 Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53 (Third

edition) HSE Books 2005 ISBN 978 0 7176 2904 6
Further information
HSE priced and free publications can be viewed online or ordered from www.hse.
gov.uk or contact HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel:
01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995. HSE priced publications are also available from
bookshops.
Health and Safety
Executive
For information about health and safety ring HSEs Infoline Tel: 0845 345 0055 Fax:
0845 408 9566 Textphone: 0845 408 9577 e-mail: [email protected] or
write to HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.
This document contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory
but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
This document is available web-only at: www.coshh-essentials.org.uk/assets/live/

CETB.pdf
Crown copyright This publication may be freely reproduced, except for

advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. First published 09/09. Please
acknowledge the source as HSE.
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Health and Safety

The technical basis for COSHH

understand more of the background and technical issues;

4 A subgroup of HSEs Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS)

6 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002

Part 1: A generic risk assessment scheme

10 The scheme provides a practical route for selecting an appropriate Control

Table 1 Generic (G) control guidance sheets

Unit Operation Title No. Solid Liquid

12 Appendix 1 contains an index to guide the selection of control guidance sheets.

13 Table 2 lists new sheets, some of which should be available as automatically-

14 Generic risk assessment takes account of the chemicals or products health

The health hazard is represented by the R-phrases assigned to substances

Figure 1 Factors used in risk assessment to identify appropriate control measures

HEALTH + EXPOSURE GENERIC RISK CONTROL

defines adequate control for different hazards in exposure ranges;

17 The four steps involved in the schemes development are covered in

Step 1: Grouping hazards

18 Hazards were allocated to one of five groups, A to E, by the R-phrases given

Table 3 Allocation of R-phrase or GHS phrase to Hazard Group; concentration range

Dust >0.1 to 1 mg/m3

Dust >0.01 to 0.1 mg/m3 R23/24/25, R34, R35, R37,

Dust <0.01 mg/m3 R26/27/28, R39/26/27/28,

Hazard Group S skin and eye exposure

Step 2: Grouping physical properties and amounts

22 The determinants of exposure in COSHH essentials are physical property and

23 The physical property for solids is a subjective assessment of the materials

Table 4 Exposure potential

Medium Granular or 200

High Fine solid and light 50

Determinant Amount Amount

Medium Kilograms Litres

Large Tonnes Cubic metres

26 The ACTS subgroup used professional judgement to allocate combinations of

Kilograms and Grams EP2 Solid

Tonnes Tonnes EP4 Solid

Low volatility Medium volatility High volatility Exposure

Litres and cubic Millilitres Millilitres EP2 Liquid

Note: Table 7 associates these EP bands with exposure bands

27 A third factor, duration of exposure, influences exposure potential. This was

Step 3: Predicting exposures using Control Approaches

Table 6 Four Control Approaches

29 The ACTS subgroup applied professional judgement to determine, for each

30 Table 7 presents the outcome of ACTS judgement.

Table 7 Relating Exposure Predictor Bands to Control Approach

Predicted exposures for vapour in air, parts per million (ppm)

Step 4: Linking the hazards acceptable exposure with

For a given Exposure Predictor Band:

Does general ventilation (Control Approach 1) give exposures within or below

Does engineering control (Control Approach 2) give exposures within or below

A similar analysis applies for Control Approach 3.

If none of these approaches is able to give sufficiently low exposures, specialist

32 Table 8 shows the allocation of hazard bands to Table 7.

Predicted exposure ranges for dust in air, milligrams per cubic

EP1 Solid 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01 <0.001

EP2 Solid 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1 0.001 to 0.01

EP3 Solid 1 to 10 0.1 to 1 0.01 to 0.1

EP4 Solid >10 1 to 10 0.1 to 1

EP2 Liquid 5 to 50 0.5 to 5 0.05 to 0.5