The best way to control risk is to remove the hazard.
Where this is not possible, controls must be put in place.
One of the controls available are through Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) which have been set to protect workers’ health. Employers have to make sure each of their employees are not exposed to any hazardous substance that exceeds the WEL for that substance. A control that is put in place will only be considered as adequate if the WEL for a substance has not been exceeded.
WELs have two different measures, these are:
| The Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL) | The Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) |
| This is the maximum exposure permitted over an 8-hour period. | This is the maximum exposure permitted over a 15-minute period. |
Are you still awake?
How about having
a big stretch and
5 big deep breaths.
Does that feel better?
Deep breathing increases energy, releases tension and calms you down.
This has nothing to do with COSHH and it will not remove the boredom from eLearning but it will help you to carry on and you have nearly finished.
Just because something is available to buy, does not mean it is safe. You can buy cyanide for industrial use.
-Health and Safety Executive
Why are WELs important?
In certain situations cyanide can kill people quickly and in other situations, it is considered safe.
How do we know what is safe?
Cyanide is released from natural substances in some foods like apple pips in small doses that our bodies can ingest safely.
It is used to make paper, textiles and plastics in safe amounts. Hydrogen cyanide is one of the hundreds of chemicals found in cigarettes. It is also present in second-hand smoke, so non-smokers are also at risk of breathing in this poison when exposed to cigarette smoke. Hydrogen cyanide was used to murder approximately one million people in gas chambers in camps during the Second World War.
This is exactly why the Workplace Exposure Limits exist, so we know what levels are safe and unsafe.
If you need or want to find out more about Workplace Exposure Limits, information and a publication of exposure limits can be found on HSE’s website.
These are some of the things you can do to control risks:
Risk prevention
Risk prevention is the simplest and most effective method in reducing the opportunity of a hazard occurring
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