COSHH Waste Disposal

• COSHH waste management
• COSHH bins
• COSHH products and items
• COSHH storage
• What are the COSHH regulations?

Effective COSHH waste management involves preventing or reducing the exposure of workers to hazardous substances. This includes all stages, from the creation and use of such materials to their storage and disposal. Your responsibilities as a business for effective COSHH waste management include:

• Determining the health hazards of any harmful substances
• Undertaking a risk assessment to decide ways to prevent harm to health
• Using control measures to reduce risks of harm to health
• Reviewing and updating control measures to ensure they’re effective
• Training workers and others in COSHH use, storage, and disposal
• Providing monitoring and health surveillance, where relevant
• Planning for emergencies

There are all sorts of COSHH products covered by the regulations as it includes many materials and substances used in workplaces that could harm health. COSHH items could be dust, gases, liquids, gels, solids, or powders that can cause an infection or reaction. Many substances can harm human health but rarely do due to proper use and control.

Many COSHH items that can contain harmful substances could be used daily by your business, while others might only be used sparingly. Expired chemicals are a common type of COSHH waste, but the category also covers paint, empty gas canisters, and oily rags. Some of the main types of COSHH waste include:

• Chemical waste – bottles or jars of chemical waste, such as sodium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and glycerol
• Aerosols – aerosol bottles used for deodorant, paint, and cleaning products
• Paints – empty paint tins and paint can contain harmful substances
• Fluorescent tubes – these light tubes contain hazardous materials
• Oils – the likes of engine oil and oily rags are covered by the COSHH regulations
• Gas bottles and canisters – empty and expired canisters contain various harmful gases
• Adhesives – glue, sealants, and industrial adhesives require safe storage and disposal

Hazardous substances and harmful materials must be stored in a way that minimises the risk of exposure. COSHH bins and containers should be kept in a secure location, ideally in a locked cabinet or room. There should be specific COSH storage spaces on your premises with strict security measures implemented.

Where possible it’s best to keep chemicals and hazardous materials in the original bottles and containers they’re supplied in. Businesses can buy and use specific COSHH cabinets to ensure compliant storage and control. You must keep any COSHH substances separate from other materials and ensure only authorised personnel have access to COSHH cabinets.

The storage area should have a clear exit in case of an emergency and be close to washing facilities. You should check your COSHH storage space regularly (ideally every day) to there are no spillages, leaks, or other damage. Arrange a cleaning rota at least once a week for your COSHH storage space for greater control over the space.

The COSHH regulations were first introduced in 1988 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK. It aimed to build on the work done by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to reduce ill health in and from workplace conditions through a framework for controlling hazardous substances.

There have been various amendments to the legislation since its introduction. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 is the most recent iteration, which came into force in January 2005. These regulations lay down the law for employers to control hazardous substances in the workplace – including the restriction or prevention of any risk harmful substances present to employees and workers.

Any business that produces or uses items covered by the COSHH regulations must ensure responsible storage, collection, and disposal of such waste. It could be a shop with a few expired cans of deodorant that can’t be sold or a laboratory with barrels of waste chemicals. Arranging collection of any COSHH waste by licensed waste carriers is vital.

Most types of waste covered by the COSHH regulations can be stored in their own streams, such as containers of chemical waste, bins of old aerosols, and barrels of oil. Follow the advice for safe storage and arrange collection by licensed waste carriers to ensure your management of such waste is compliant with the regulations.

Disposing of COSHH waste depends on the specific type of waste. For example, chemical waste can be disposed of through reclamation and chemical or thermal treatments, while oil waste might go through dewatering, filtering, and distilling. The likes of aerosols are drained of their liquid before the metal can is cleaned and recycled.

All waste will be disposed of in safe, legal, and responsible methods that avoid harming the environment or human health. No COSHH items go to landfill, as the harmful substances could leach into the local ground, water, and air. That’s why you must use licensed waste carriers to ensure relevant waste is disposed of in line with COSHH regulations.

Book COSHH waste collection from your business to ensure all harmful substances your organisation uses are managed and controlled properly to the point of disposal. At Business Waste we use licensed waste carriers to remove your waste. Request a free no obligation quote tailored to the type and amount of waste you need removing.

We provide a wide range of free bins and containers for your COSHH waste – you only pay for its collection. Daily, weekly, and fortnightly collections of all types and amounts of waste covered by the COSHH regulations are available anywhere in the UK with Business Waste.