October 21, 2003—The UK Health and Safety Commission (HSC) published October 2 a Consultative Document (CD189) containing proposals that would make it easier for firms to comply with their legal duty to control workers’ exposure to chemicals. The Document was produced by a Working Group of the Health and Safety Commission’s Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS), made up of representatives from industry, trade unions, and independent experts.
The changes, partly in response to stakeholders’ responses (.pdf file) to a discussion document (.pdf file) last year, were proposed to help ensure that Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) effectively contribute to worker protection.
Key features of the proposals in the CD are:
- Single type of OEL—to be called a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL)
- Emphasis on applying good practice
- Provision of control advice
- WELs linked to good practice advice (e.g. the COSHH Essentials guidance)
- All Maximum Exposure Limits and soundly based Occupational Exposure Standards in the old system to be transferred to the new system.
HSE is solicting responses from everyone with an interest in the use of chemicals in the workplace. No changes to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations will be made until 2004. Any change requires the approval of the HSC. Comments should be sent to Tony Gissane, Policy Group, Chemical and Flammables Policy Division, Health and Safety Executive, 7NW, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HS, to arrive by December 31, 2003.
Copies of “A Consultative Document on Proposals to Introduce a New Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) Framework” CD189 are available free of charge from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, tel 01787 881165. The full text can also be viewed on or downloaded from the HSE Web site.
