Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

Every individual needs to work in order to earn a living and sustain him or herself. However not all jobs are same. Some individuals may be having white-collar jobs while others are forced to slog through the day in unfavourable environment in order to earn their living. However, there are certain work ethics, which are applicable for every individual who is looking forward to work in an organisation.

It is common knowledge that different jobs have different work nature and may require an individual to be in different environments for the same. In such a scenario, it is extremely easy for an individual to become vulnerable to several occupational hazards. Injuries at work are not a rare phenomenon and there are several rules, which have been formed in order to protect the employees of any organisation from being exposed to hazardous situations.

In fact, there has also been a rule, which is better known as Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), which was first implemented in October 1989. This rule has been implemented quite strictly ever since it was first put to use. However, the number of instances of injuries at work has been at a considerable rise. In a recent survey where the managers of chemical firms were interviewed, it was reported that almost all of their employees were exposed to some or the other kind of hazardous chemical while being at the workplace.

Employees have the right to be protected against hazardous substances while being at work. Still, a recent survey revealed that almost ten thousand people suffer from non-fatal illnesses of some kind or the other while being at work. Some of the most common hazardous substances, which are present at workplaces, include asbestos, chemicals among others.

Also another interesting fact, which was revealed from these surveys, was that on an average, there are almost 4,500 cancer deaths, which occur in UK alone every year as the individuals end up contracting fatal diseases such as cancer, because of constant exposure to asbestos and other hazardous substances.