The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988

Type Statutory-Instrument
Publication 1988-09-26
State In force
Department Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament
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Made: 26th September 1988

Laid before Parliament: 12th October 1988

Coming into force: 1st October 1989

The Secretary of State, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 15(1), (2), (3)(a), (4), (5)(b), (6)(b) and (9) and 82(3)(a) of, and paragraphs 1(1) and (2), 2, 6(1), 8, 9, 11, 13(1) and (3), 14, 15(1) and 16 of Schedule 3 to, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974[^f00001] (“the 1974 Act”) and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf and for the purpose of giving effect without modifications to proposals submitted to him by the Health and Safety Commission under section 11(2)(d) of the 1974 Act after the carrying out by the said Commission of consultations in accordance with section 50(3) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 and shall come into force on 1st October 1989.

Interpretation

2

Duties under these regulations

3

Prohibitions relating to certain substances

4

and any contravention of this paragraph shall be punishable under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979[^f00003] and not as a contravention of a health and safety regulation.

Application of regulations 6 to 12

5

Assessment of health risks created by work involving substances hazardous to health

6

and, where as a result of the review, changes in the assessment are required, those changes shall be made.

Prevention or control of exposure to substances hazardous to health

7

Use of control measures etc.

8

Maintenance, examination and test of control measures etc.

9

Monitoring exposure at the workplace

10

the employer shall ensure that the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health is monitored in accordance with a suitable procedure.

Health surveillance

11

Information, instruction and training for persons who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health

12

Provisions relating to certain fumigations

13

at least 24 hours in advance, or such shorter time in advance, as the persons required to be notified may agree.

Exemption certificates

14

it is satisfied that the health and safety of persons who are likely to be affected by the exemption will not be prejudiced in consequence of it.

Extension outside Great Britain

15

These Regulations shall apply to any work outside Great Britain to which sections 1 to 59 and 80 to 82 of the 1974 Act apply by virtue of Article 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 1977[^f00007] as they apply to work in Great Britain.

Defence in proceedings for contravention of these Regulations

16

In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of these Regulations it shall be a defence for any person to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of that offence.

Transitional provisions

17

Modifications relating to the Ministry of Defence etc.

18

from all or any of the requirements or prohibitions imposed by these regulations and any such exemption may be granted subject to conditions and to a limit of time and may be revoked at any time by a certificate in writing, except that, where any such exemption is granted, suitable arrangements shall be made for the assessment of the health risks created by the work involving substances hazardous to health and for adequately controlling the exposure to those substances of persons to whom the exemption relates.

Repeals, revocations and savings

19

are repealed to the extent set out in the entry opposite thereto in the corresponding entry in column 2 of the respective Part.

SCHEDULE 1 — LIST OF SUBSTANCES ASSIGNED MAXIMUM EXPOSURE LIMITS

Reference periods Reference periods Reference periods Reference periods
Long-term maximum exposure limit (8-hour TWA reference period) Long-term maximum exposure limit (8-hour TWA reference period) Short-term maximum exposure limit (10-minute reference period) Short-term maximum exposure limit (10-minute reference period)
ppm ppm
Substance Formula mg m—³ mg m—³
* Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material * Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material * Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material * Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material * Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material * Limit relates to cyclohexane soluble material
† Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm. † Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm. † Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm. † Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm. † Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm. † Vinyl chloride is also subject to an overriding annual maximum exposure limit of 3 ppm.
Acrylonitrile CH₂=CHCN 2 4
Arsenic & compounds, except arsine and lead arsenate (as As) As 0.2
Buta—1, 3—diene CH₂=CHCH=CH₂ 10
2—Butoxyethanol C₄H₉OCH₂CH₂OH 25 120
Cadmium & cadmium compounds, except cadmium oxide fume and cadmium sulphide pigments (as Cd) Cd 0.05
Cadmium oxide fume (as Cd) CdO 0.05 0.05
Cadmium sulphide pigments (respirable dust as Cd) CdS 0.04
Carbon disulphide CS₂ 10 30
Dichloromethane CH₂Cl₂ 100 350
2,2'—Dichloro—4,4'—methylene dianiline (MbOCA) CH₂(C₆H₃ClNH₂)₂ 0.005
2—Ethoxyethanol C₂H₅OCH₂CH₂OH 10 37
2—Ethoxyethyl acetate C₂H₅OCH₂CH₂OOCCH₃L 10 54
Ethylene dibromide BrCH₂CH₂Br 1 8
Ethylene oxide CH₂CH₂O 5 10
Formaldehyde HCHO 2 2.5 2 2.5
Hydrogen cyanide HCN 10 10
Isocyanates, all (as—NCO) 0.02 0.07
Man-made mineral fibre 5
1—Methoxypropan—2—ol CH₃OCH₂CHOHCH₃ 100 360
2—Methoxyethanol CH₃OCH₂CH₂OH 5 16
2—Methoxyethyl acetate CH₃COOCH₂CH₂OCH₃ 5 24
Rubber Process Dust 8
[^f01000]Rubber Fume 0.75
Styrene C₆H₅CH=CH₂ 100 420 250 1050
1,1,1—Trichloroethane CH₃CCl₃ 350 1900 450 2450
Trichloroethylene CCl₂=CHCl 100 535 150 802
[^f01001]Vinyl chloride CH₂=CHCl 7
Vinylidene chloride CH₂=CCl₂ 10 40
Wood dust (hard wood) 5

SCHEDULE 2 — PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES

Item No. Column 1 Column 2
Description of substance Purpose for which the substance is prohibited
Notes “Blasting apparatus” means apparatus for cleaning, smoothing, roughening or removing of part of the surface of any article by the use as an abrasive of a jet of sand, metal shot or grit or other material propelled by a blast of compressed air or steam or by a wheel. This prohibition shall not prevent the use as a parting material of the following substances— natural sand; zirconium silicate (zircon); calcined china clay; calcined aluminous fireclay; sillimanite; calcined or fused alumina; olivine. “Use as a parting material” means the application of the material to the surface or parts of the surface of a pattern or of a mould so as to facilitate the separation of the pattern from the mould or the separation of parts of the mould. “White oil” means a refined mineral oil conforming to a specification approved by the Health and Safety Executive and certified by its manufacturer as so conforming. “Gassing powder” means a chemical compound in powder form which reacts with atmospheric moisture to generate hydrogen cyanide. Notes “Blasting apparatus” means apparatus for cleaning, smoothing, roughening or removing of part of the surface of any article by the use as an abrasive of a jet of sand, metal shot or grit or other material propelled by a blast of compressed air or steam or by a wheel. This prohibition shall not prevent the use as a parting material of the following substances— natural sand; zirconium silicate (zircon); calcined china clay; calcined aluminous fireclay; sillimanite; calcined or fused alumina; olivine. “Use as a parting material” means the application of the material to the surface or parts of the surface of a pattern or of a mould so as to facilitate the separation of the pattern from the mould or the separation of parts of the mould. “White oil” means a refined mineral oil conforming to a specification approved by the Health and Safety Executive and certified by its manufacturer as so conforming. “Gassing powder” means a chemical compound in powder form which reacts with atmospheric moisture to generate hydrogen cyanide. Notes “Blasting apparatus” means apparatus for cleaning, smoothing, roughening or removing of part of the surface of any article by the use as an abrasive of a jet of sand, metal shot or grit or other material propelled by a blast of compressed air or steam or by a wheel. This prohibition shall not prevent the use as a parting material of the following substances— natural sand; zirconium silicate (zircon); calcined china clay; calcined aluminous fireclay; sillimanite; calcined or fused alumina; olivine. “Use as a parting material” means the application of the material to the surface or parts of the surface of a pattern or of a mould so as to facilitate the separation of the pattern from the mould or the separation of parts of the mould. “White oil” means a refined mineral oil conforming to a specification approved by the Health and Safety Executive and certified by its manufacturer as so conforming. “Gassing powder” means a chemical compound in powder form which reacts with atmospheric moisture to generate hydrogen cyanide.
1. 2—naphthylamine; benzidine; 4—aminodiphenyl; 4—nitrodiphenyl; their salts and any substance containing any of those compounds, in any other substance in a total concentration exceeding 0.1 per cent. Manufacture and use for all purposes including any manufacturing process in which a substance described in column 1 of this item is formed.
2. Sand or other substance containing free silica. Use as an abrasive for blasting articles in any blasting apparatus (see note 1).
3. A substance— containing compounds of silicon calculated as silica to the extent of more than 3% by weight of dry material; or composed of or containing dust or other matter deposited from a fettling or blasting process. Use as a parting material in connection with the making of metal castings (see notes 2 and 3).
4. Carbon disulphide. Use in the cold-cure process of vulcanising in the proofing of cloth with rubber.
5. Oils other than white oil, or oil of entirely animal or vegetable origin or entirely of mixed animal and vegetable origin (see note 4). Use for oiling the spindles of self-acting mules.
6. Ground or powdered flint or quartz other than natural sand. Use in relation to the manufacture or decoration of pottery for the following purposes— the placing of ware for the biscuit fire; the polishing of ware; as the ingredient of a wash for saggars, trucks, bats, cranks, or other articles used in supporting ware during firing; and as dusting or supporting powder in potters' shops.
7. Ground or powdered flint or quartz other than— natural sand; or ground or powdered flint or quartz which forms part of a slop or paste. Use in relation to the manufacture or decoration of pottery for any purpose except— use in a separate room or building for— the manufacture of powdered flint or quartz; or the making of frits or glazes or the making of colours or coloured slips for the decoration of pottery; use for the incorporation of the substance into the body of ware in an enclosure in which no person is employed and which is constructed and ventilated to prevent the escape of dust.
8. Dust or powder of a refractory material containing not less than 80 per cent. of silica other than natural sand. Use for sprinkling the moulds of silica bricks, namely bricks or other articles composed of refractory material and containing not less than 80 per cent. of silica.
9. White phosphorus. Use in the manufacture of matches.
10. Hydrogen cyanide. Use in fumigation except when— released from an inert material in which hydrogen cyanide is absorbed; generated from a gassing powder (see note 5); or applied from a cylinder through suitable piping and applicators other than for fumigations in the open air to control or kill mammal pests.

SCHEDULE 3 — FREQUENCY OF THOROUGH EXAMINATION AND TEST OF LOCAL EXHAUST VENTILATION PLANT USED IN CERTAIN PROCESSES

Column 1 Column 2
Process Minimum Frequency
Processes in which blasting is carried out in or incidental to the cleaning of metal castings, in connection with their manufacture. Every month.
Processes, other than wet processes, in which metal articles (other than of gold, platinum or iridium) are ground, abraded or polished using mechanical power, in any room for more than 12 hours in any week. Every 6 months.
Processes giving off dust or fume in which non-ferrous metal castings are produced. Every 6 months.
Jute cloth manufacture. Every month.

SCHEDULE 4 — SPECIFIC SUBSTANCES AND PROCESSES FOR WHICH MONITORING IS REQUIRED

Column 1 Column 2
Substance or Process Minimum Frequency
Vinyl chloride monomer. Continuous or in accordance with a procedure approved by the Health and Safety Commission.
Vapour or spray given off from vessels at which an electrolytic chromium process is carried on, except trivalent chromium. Every 14 days.

SCHEDULE 5 — MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

Column 1 Column 2
Substances for which medical surveillance is appropriate Processes
Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). In manufacture, production, reclamation, storage, discharge, transport, use or polymerisation.
Nitro or amino derivatives of phenol and of benzene or its homologues. In the manufacture of nitro or amino derivatives of phenol and of benzene or its homologues and the making of explosives with the use of any of these substances.
Potassium or sodium chromate or dichromate. In manufacture.
1—Naphthylamine and its salts Orthotolidine and its salts. Dianisidine and its salts. Dichlorbenzidine and its salts. In manufacture, formation or use of these substances.
Auramine, Magenta. In manufacture.
Carbon disulphide. Disulphur dichloride. Benzene, including benzol. Carbon tetrachloride. Trichlorethylene. Processes in which these substances are used, or given off as vapour, in the manufacture of indiarubber or of articles or goods made wholly or partially of indiarubber.
Pitch. In manufacture of blocks of fuel consisting of coal, coal dust, coke or slurry with pitch as a binding substance.

SCHEDULE 6 — FUMIGATIONS EXCEPTED FROM REGULATION 13

Column 1 Column 2
Fumigant Nature of fumigation
Hydrogen cyanide. Fumigations carried out for research.
Hydrogen cyanide. Fumigations in fumigation chambers.
Hydrogen cyanide. Fumigations in the open air to control or kill mammal pests.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations carried out for research.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations in fumigation chambers.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations of soil outdoors under gas-proof sheeting where not more than 1000 kg is used in any period of 24 hours on the premises.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations of soil under gas-proof sheeting in glasshouses where not more than 500 kg is used in any period of 24 hours on the premises.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations of compost outdoors under gas-proof sheeting where not more than 10 kg of methyl bromide is used in any period of 24 hours on the premises.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations under gas-proof sheeting inside structures other than glasshouses and mushroom houses where not more than 5 kg of methyl bromide is used in each structure during any period of 24 hours.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations of soil or compost in mushroom houses where not more than 5 kg of methyl bromide is used in any one fumigation in any period of 24 hours.
Methyl bromide. Fumigations of containers where not more than 5 kg of methyl bromide is used in any one fumigation in a period of 24 hours.
Phosphine. Fumigations carried out for research.
Phosphine. Fumigations in fumigation chambers.
Phosphine. Fumigations under gas-proof sheeting inside structures where not more than 1 kg phosphine in each structure is used in any period of 24 hours.
Phosphine. Fumigations in containers where not more than 0.5 kg phosphine is used in any one fumigation in any period of 24 hours.
Phosphine. Fumigations in individual impermeable packages.
Phosphine. Fumigations in the open air to control or kill mammal pests.
Ethylene oxide. Fumigations carried out for research.
Ethylene oxide. Fumigations in fumigation chambers.

SCHEDULE 7 — NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN FUMIGATIONS

PART I — persons to whom notifications must be made

1

In the case of a fumigation to be carried out within the area of a harbour authority, advance notification of fumigation shall, for the purposes of regulation 13(2)(a), be given to—

2

In the case of a fumigation, other than a fumigation to which paragraph (1) applies, advance notification of fumigation shall be given to—

PART II — information to be given in advance notice of fumigations

3

The information to be given in a notification made for the purposes of regulation 13(2) shall include the following—

SCHEDULE 8 — REPEALS

PART I — repeals of the provisions of the mines and quarries act 1954

Column 1 Column 2
Provision Extent of repeal
Section 112. The whole section.

PART II — repeals of the provisions of the factories act 1961

Column 1 Column 2
Provision Extent of repeal
Section 4. The words from “and for rendering harmless” to the end of the section.
Section 63. The whole section.
Section 64. The whole section.
Section 67. The whole section.
Section 77. The whole section.
Section 78. The whole section.
Section 121. Subsections (1)(d) and (3)(b).

SCHEDULE 9 — REVOCATIONS OF REGULATIONS AND ORDERS

Column 1 Column 2
Regulations or Order Extent of Revocation
Regulations dated 12th December 1905 for the processes of sorting, willeying, washing, combing and carding wool, goat hair and camel hair and processes incidental thereto, (The Wool, Goat-Hair and Camel-Hair Regulations 1905), S.R. & O. 1905/1293, amended by S.I. 1980/1690. The whole Regulations.
Regulations dated 26th February 1906 in respect of the processes of spinning and weaving flax and tow and processes incidental thereto, (The Flax and Tow Spinning and Weaving Regulations 1906), S.R. & O. 1906/177. Regulations 1, 2 and 12.
Regulations dated 28th August 1907 for the processes of spinning and weaving hemp or jute, or hemp or jute tow and processes incidental thereto, (The Hemp Spinning and Weaving Regulations 1907), S.R. & O. 1907/660, amended by S.I. 1948/1696. Regulations 1, 2 and 7.
Regulations dated 20th December 1907 in respect of processes involving the use of horsehair from China, Siberia or Russia, (The Horesehair Regulations 1907), S.R. & O. 1907/984, amended by S.I. 1980/1690. The whole Regulations.
Regulations dated 18th December 1908 for the use of East Indian Wool, (The East India Wool Regulations 1908), S.R. & O. 1908/1287. The whole Regulations.
Order dated 22nd March 1918 for securing the welfare of the workers employed in factories or parts of factories in which bichromate of potassium or sodium is used in tanning by the “two-bath” process (The Tanning (Two-Bath Process) Welfare Order 1918), S.R. & O. 1918/368, amended by S.R. & O. 1930/312. The whole order.
Order dated 22nd March 1918 for securing the welfare of the workers employed in factories or parts of factories in which bichromate of potassium or sodium is used in dyeing other than job-dyeing, (The Dyeing (Use of Bichromate of Potassium or Sodium) Welfare Order 1918), S.R. & O. 1918/369. The whole order.
Order dated 15th August 1919 (The Fruit Preserving Order 1919), S.R. & O. 1919/1136. Article 6.
The Hollow-ware and Galvanising Welfare Order 1921, S.R. & O. 1921/2032. The whole order.
The Hides and Skins Regulations 1921, S.R. & O. 1921/2076, amended by S.I. 1980/1690. The whole Regulations
The Indiarubber Regulations 1922, S.R. & O. 1922/329, amended by S.I. 1973/36 and 1980/1248. The definitions— “Appointed doctor”; “Employment medical adviser”; “Fume process”. The paragraph— “It shall be the duty of every person employed to observe Part II of these Regulations”. Regulations 2 to 19.
The Chemical Works Regulations 1922, S.R. & O. 1922/731, amended by S.I. 1973/36, 1974/1681, 1981/16 and 917 The whole Regulations.
The Grinding of Metals (Miscellaneous Industries) Regulations 1925, S.R. & O. 1925/904, amended by S.I. 1949/2225, 1950/688, 1970/535 and 1981/1486. The whole Regulations.
The Grinding of Cutlery and Edge Tools Regulations 1925, S.R. & O. 1925/1089, amended by S.I. 1950/370, 1970/535 and 1981/1486. The whole Regulations.
The Bakehouses Welfare Order 1927, S.R. & O. 1927/191. The whole order.
The Biscuit Factories Welfare Order 1927, S.R. & O. 1927/872. The whole order.
The Tanning Welfare Order 1930, S.R. & O. 1930/312. Articles 6, 7 and 9.
The Refractory Materials Regulations 1931, S.R. & O. 1931/359. The whole Regulations.
The Chromium Plating Regulations 1931, S.R. & O. 1931/455, amended by S.I. 1973/9. The whole Regulations.
The Sugar Factories Welfare Order 1931, S.R. & O. 1931/684. The whole order.
The Patent Fuel Manufacture (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1946, S.R. & O. 1946/258, amended by S.I. 1973/36. The whole Regulations.
The Pottery (Health) Special Regulations 1947, S.R. & O. 1947/2161. In Regulation 2, the definitions— “ground or powdered flint or quartz”; “potters' shops”. Regulations 5 and 6.
The Jute (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations 1948, S.I. 1948/1696. Regulations 5 to 10. Regulation 12.
The Blasting (Castings and Other Articles) Special Regulations 1949, S.I. 1949/2225, amended by S.I. 1981/1332. The whole Regulations.
The Pottery (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1950, S.I. 1950/65, amended by S.I. 1973/36, 1980/1248 and 1982/877. In regulation 2(2) the definitions— “Damp fettling”; “Fettling”; “Flint or quartz milling”; “Flintless stoneware”; “Potters' shops”; “Slip-house”; “Suspension”; “Wedging of clay”. Regulation 6(1)(vii) to (ix) and (xi). In regulation 13(1) the words “in any potters' shop or in any place where clay dust is prepared or” and the words “flint or quartz milling or”. In regulation 14(2) the words “in any potters' shop or” and the words “clay dust is prepared or where any flint or quartz milling or”. Regulation 17(1)(i) to (xvi), (xxv) and (xxvii), 17(3), 17(6)(i) and (vi). Regulation 18(1) and 18(2). In regulation 18(3)(a) the words “all potters' shops, including such drying stoves as are entered by workpeople and in”. Regulation 18(3)(a)(i), 18(3)(b)(i) and (ii) and 18(3)(c). In regulation 18(3)(d) the words “potters' shops, including such drying stoves as are entered by workpeople and of” and in regulation 18(3)(d)(i) the words “and also, in the case of any potters' shop having an impervious floor, by washing or mopping with water on at least one day in each week”. Regulation 18(3)(e) to (g). In regulation 18(4) the words “biscuit placing or” in both places where they occur. In regulation 18(7) the reference to sub-paragraph “(c)”, “(e)” and “(f)”. Regulation 18(12) and (13). Regulation 19(4). Regulations 20 to 22. Regulation 26. Regulation 28(3). Regulation 29(1) to 29(3). In the table in Schedule 2 the entries numbered (1) to (4), (7) to (22), (24) and (27).
The Grinding of Cutlery and Edge Tools (Amendment) Special Regulations 1950, S.I. 1950/370. The whole Regulations.
The Grinding of Metals (Miscellaneous Industries) (Amendment) Special Regulations 1950, S.I. 1950/688. The whole Regulations.
The Foundries (Parting Materials) Special Regulations 1950, S.I. 1950/1700. The whole Regulations.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Buildings) Regulations 1951, S.I. 1951/1759, amended by S.I. 1982/695. The whole Regulations.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Ships) Regulations 1951, S.I. 1951/1760. The whole Regulations.
The Iron and Steel Foundries Regulations 1953, S.I. 1953/1464, amended by S.I. 1974/1681 and 1981/1332. In regulation 2(2) the definitions “approved respirator”; “dressing or fettling operations”; “knock-out operations”. The proviso to regulation 3(2). Regulation 7. Regulations 8(1)(b) and (2). In regulation 10(1), the number “7”.
The Mule Spinning (Health) Special Regulations 1953, S.I. 1953/1545, amended by S.I. 1973/36. The whole Regulations.
The Indiarubber Regulations 1955, S.I. 1955/1626. The whole Regulations.
The Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960. S.I. 1960/1932, amended by S.I. 1974/1681, 1980/1248 and 1983/644. Regulation 4(1)(a) shall be modified by substituting for the words “to 77” the words “and 74”. Regulation 4(8) shall be modified by substituting for the words “72 and 76(2)” the words “and 72”. Regulation 53. Regulations 76 and 77.
The Construction (General Provisions) Regulations 1961, S.I. 1961/1580, amended by S.I. 1966/94 and 1974/1681. In regulation 3(1)(a) the number “20”. In the full out words at the end of regulation 3(1), the number “22”. Regulation 20. Regulation 22.
The Non-ferrous Metals (Melting and Founding) Regulations 1962, S.I. 1962/1667, amended by S.I. 1974/1681 and 1981/1332. In regulation 2(2) the definition “approved”. In regulation 3(4) the words “Regulation 11(5) and”. Regulations 11 and 12. Regulation 13(1)(b). Regulation 13(3). Regulation 19.
The Carcinogenic Substances Regulations 1967, S.I. 1967/879, amended by S.I. 1973/36. The whole Regulations.
The Carcinogenic Substances (Prohibition of Importation) Order 1967, S.I. 1967/1675. The whole order.
The Anthrax (Cautionary Notice) Order 1968, S.I. 1968/2005. The whole order.
The Abstract of Factories Act Order 1973, S.I. 1973/7, amended by S.I. 1983/978. In Schedule 1— in paragraph 4 the words from “All practicable measures” to the end of that paragraph; paragraph 9; paragraph 13. In Schedule 3— in paragraph 8, the words from “Everyone who employs” to “are mixed”. In Schedule 4— in paragraph 8, the words from “Everyone who employs” to “are mixed”.
The Chromium Plating (Amendment) Regulations 1973, S.I. 1973/9. The whole Regulations.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service (Factories Act Orders etc. Amendment) Order 1973, S.I. 1973/36. In Part II of the Schedule the entries relating to— The Indiarubber Regulations 1922; The Chemical Works Regulations 1922; The Patent Fuel Manufacture (Health and Welfare) Regulations 1946; The Mule Spinning (Health) Special Regulations 1953; The Carcinogenic Substances Regulations 1967.
The Abstract of Special Regulations (Pottery — Health and Welfare) Order 1973, S.I. 1973/37. In Schedules 1 and 2 (each of which abstracts parts of the Pottery (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1950 (No. 65), the following paragraphs in each Schedule shall be revoked in so far as the reference applies to that Schedule— In regulation 2(2) the definitions— “Damp fettling”; “Fettling”; “Flint or quartz milling”; “Flintless stoneware”; “Potters' shops”; “Slip-house”; “Wedging of clay”. Regulation 6(1)(vii) to (ix) and (xi). Regulation 13(1). Regulation 14(2). Regulation 17(1)(i) to (xvi), (xxv) and (xxvii), 17(3), 17(6)(i) and (vi). Regulation 18(1) and 18(2). In regulation 18(3)(a) the words “all potters' shops, including such drying stoves as are entered by workpeople and in” and the words “subject to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph,”. Regulation 18(3)(a)(i), 18(3)(b) and 18(3)(c). In regulation 18(3)(d) the words “potters' shops, including such drying stoves as are entered by workpeople and of” and in regulation 18(3)(d)(i) the words “and also, in the case of any potters' shop having an impervious floor, by washing or mopping with water on at least one day in each week”. Regulation 18(3)(e) to (g). In regulation 18(4) the words “biscuit placing or” in both places where they occur. In regulation 18(7) the references to sub-paragraphs “(c)”, “(e)” and “(f)”. Regulation 18(12) and (13). Regulation 19(4). Regulations 20 to 22. Regulation 26. Regulation 28(3). Regulation 29(1) to 29(3). In the table in the Second Schedule the entries numbered (1) to (4), (7) to (22), (24) and (27).
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Act 1937 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations 1974, S.I. 1974/1840. The whole Regulations.
The Health and Safety (Animal Products) (Metrication) Regulations 1980, S.I. 1980/1690. The whole Regulations.
The Chemical Works (Metrication) Regulations 1981, S.I. 1981/16. The whole Regulations.
The Health and Safety (Foundries etc.) (Metrication) Regulations 1981, S.I. 1981/1332. In the Schedule the entries relating to— The Blasting (Castings and other Articles) Special Regulations 1949.
The Grinding of Metals etc. (Metrication) Regulations 1981, S.I. 1981/1486. The whole Regulations.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Buildings) (Amendment) Regulations 1982, S.I. 1982/695. The whole Regulations.
The Poisonous Substances in Agriculture Regulations 1984, S.I. 1984/1114. The whole Regulations.

Signed

Signed by order of the Secretary of State.

Patrick Nicholls — Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, — Department of Employment — 26th September 1988

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1 The Regulations impose duties on employers to protect employees and other persons who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health and also impose certain duties on employees.

2 The terms used in the Regulations, including the term “substance hazardous to health” are defined in regulation 2. By regulation 3 duties are imposed on employers (who for the purposes of these Regulations include self-employed persons) for the protection of their employees and of other persons who may be affected by their work.

3 Regulation 4 prohibits the importation, supply and use at work of specified substances, and also prohibits the use of specified substances in specified processes (Schedule 2).

4 The application of the provisions which relate to the exposure of employees (set out in regulations 6 to 12) is defined by regulation 5.

5 Regulation 6 requires employers to assess the risks to health created by work which is liable to expose their employees to substances hazardous to health and the steps that need to be taken by them to meet the requirements of the Regulations.

6 Regulation 7 imposes a duty on employers to prevent or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately to control the exposure to substances hazardous to health of their employees. Where the substance is one for which a maximum exposure limit is specified in Schedule 1, that limit, so far as the inhalation of the substance is concerned, must not be exceeded and the exposure must be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable below it.

7 As respects a substance for which the Health and Safety Commission has approved an occupational exposure standard, control to that standard is to be treated as adequate so far as inhalation of the substance is concerned. Regulation 7 also requires prevention or adequate control to be achieved so far as is reasonably practicable by means other than the use of personal protective equipment and that where adequate control is achieved by the use of respiratory protective equipment, that equipment should be of a type or conform to a standard approved by the Health and Safety Executive.

8 Requirements are imposed by regulation 8 upon employers and employees to make proper use of the control measures provided, and by regulation 9 upon employers for the maintenance of those control measures. The monitoring of exposure to substances hazardous to health is required for the substances and processes specified in Schedule 4 and in any other case where such monitoring is requisite for maintaining adequate control or protecting the health of employees (regulation 10).

9 Regulation 11 requires that, where appropriate for the protection of the health of employees, they must be under health surveillance and in the case of employees who are exposed to one of the substances and engaged in a process specified in Schedule 5 that health surveillance must include medical surveillance by an employment medical adviser or appointed doctor. Regulation 12 requires that employees who may be exposed to substances hazardous to health are given suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training.

10 A person who undertakes fumigations with specified fumigants is required by regulation 13 to notify in advance the persons specified in Schedule 7. Exceptions to this notification requirement are listed in Schedule 6.

11 The regulations provide for exemptions in certain circumstances (regulation 14) and are applied by regulation 15 to certain activities in territorial waters adjacent to Great Britain. Regulation 16 provides for a defence in the case of a contravention of the regulations and regulation 17 for certain transitional provisions. Modifications relating to the Ministry of Defence are introduced by regulation 18.

12 The provisions of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 (c. 70) and of the Factories Act 1961 (c. 34) which are specified in Schedule 8 are repealed by regulation 19, which also repeals the Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Act 1937 (c. 45) and revokes or modifies the regulations and orders specified in Schedule 9. This regulation also provides that notwithstanding those revocations, requirements in them for the keeping of any record or register shall remain in force.

13 The Regulations are consistent with the provisions of the Council Directive No. 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers from the risk related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work (OJ No. L 327, 3.12.80, p.8).

14 Copies of the publications mentioned in the Regulations are obtainable as follows— a the approved list (ISBN 0 11 883888 1 revised by ISBN 0 11 8239012) are obtainable from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. b a list of the occupational exposure standards which the Health and Safety Commission has approved is obtainable from the Health and Safety Executive, Baynards House, 1, Chepstow Place, London W2 4TF.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1974 c. 37; sections 15 and 50 were amended by Schedule 15 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), paragraphs 6 and 16 respectively.

[^f00002]: S.I. 1984/1244, amended by S.I. 1986/1922 and 1988/766.

[^f00003]: 1979 c. 2.

[^f00004]: S.I. 1980/1248.

[^f00005]: S.I. 1987/2115.

[^f00006]: 1954 c. 70, amended by S.I. 1974/2013.

[^f00007]: S.I. 1977/1232.

[^f00008]: 1952 c. 67.

[^f00009]: 1964 c. 5.

[^f00010]: 1954 c. 70, amended by S.I. 1974/2013.

[^f00011]: 1961 c. 34, amended by S.I. 1974/1941.

[^f00012]: 1937 c. 45, amended by S.I. 1974/1840.

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