TUC and HSE guides tackle chemical safety

The TUC has published Clean up with COSHH 2000 as part of its "Campaign To Clean Up Britain's Dirtiest Workplaces". The guide gives an overview of hazardous substances, outlines legal standards - in particular the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 - and gives detailed guidance to union representatives on how to tackle hazardous substances at work. It explains the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) COSHH Essentials control approach and contains checklists for union action.

The HSE has published three booklets which aim to help reduce the risks from the exposure of skin to chemical agents. Exposure can cause dermatitis, loss of pigmentation and skin cancer. Some substances do not affect the site of exposure but may be absorbed through the skin and have a toxic effect elsewhere in the body. Industries and occupational groups at particular risk are: catering and food processing, engineering, agriculture, hairdressing, cleaning, printing, health care, construction, rubber manufacturing/processing and offshore.

Clean up with COSHH 2000 available from the TUC tel: 020 7636 4032 price £5 (unions) £15 (others), reductions for bulk orders.

Assessing and managing risks at work from skin exposure to chemical agents (£8.00), Effectiveness of chemical protective gloves for the workplace (£8.50) and

Choice of skin care products for the workplace (£3.00) available from HSE Books (see below).