MoD Health & Safety Handbook 

JSP 375 Vol 2 

11.1 

A substance which is listed in Part 1 of the approved supply list as dangerous for supply 

within the meaning of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 

and for which an indication of danger specified for the substance is very toxic, toxic, harmful, 

corrosive or irritant; 

11.2 

A substance for which the Health and Safety Commission has approved a maximum 

exposure limit or an occupational exposure standard; 

11.3 A 

biological 

agent; 

11.4 

Dust of any kind, except dust which is a substance within paragraph (a) or (b) above, when 

present at a concentration in air equal to or greater than   

11.4.1 10 

mg/m

3

, as a time weighted average over an 8 hour period, of total inhalable 

dust, or 

11.4.2 4 

mg/m

3

, as a time weighted average over an 8 hour period, of respirable dust; 

11.5 

A substance, not in sub paragraphs (a) to (d) above, which because of its chemical or 

toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk to 

health; 

12  At this point it is worth trying to identify any similar processes which use similar substances (e.g. 

brush painting components in a workshop using different colours of white spirit based paint, or hand 

shaping softwood in a joiners shop) and which therefore present similar hazards and risks.  In this way, 

several processes may be covered by the same risk assessment. 

Gather information on the substances 

13  The first source of information is the label on the container or supply packaging. This should give 

you a clear indication of the general nature of the hazard together with some basic risk phrases 

indicating which routes of entry are significant. It should also provide you with the supplier s name, 

address and contact telephone number. Do not assume, however, that the absence of a label means the 

substance is necessarily  safe . 

14  The Supplier s Safety Data Sheet (SDS), sometimes also called a Material Safety Data Sheet or 

Manufacturer s Safety Data Sheet, is vital to any risk assessment. The Health and Safety at Work, etc. 

Act (HSWA) requires suppliers to supply health and safety information and CHIP explains what sort of 

information should be provided. If your substance includes any constituents that are classified under 

CHIP, you will find some risk (R) and safety (S) phrases on the safety data sheet. These should also 

appear on the label. They are generally useful for putting the risks in context. 

15  Safety data sheets for NATO codified stock and for many locally purchased items are collated 

centrally in MOD and distributed via JSP 515, the Hazardous Stores Information System.  HSIS is on 

CD ROM and is normally held by Stores Sections and Safety Advisers etc.  If there is no entry on HSIS 

for the item you are using contact the relevant single service Focal Node detailed at the end of the 

leaflet with the HSIS CD ROM in the first instance.  If no information is forthcoming (or if there are any 

queries with the information on the data sheet) you can obtain the information by contacting the supplier 

identified on the substance label.  In all cases the safety data sheet(s) for all of the substances used in 

any process must be readily accessible if not directly attached to the COSHH risk assessment. 

16  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes a very wide range of Guidance Notes amongst 

which you will frequently find useful information. A full list of what is available can usually be obtained 

through your Establishment or Unit Safety Officer. You will also find that technical data sheets for 

materials and trade and industry association guidance, where it is available, can be useful. 

17  Your Establishment or Unit Safety Officer may have access to various health and safety 

publications that may be useful if you need more detailed information. 

Leaflet 5 Annex F 

April 2003 

 Page 

3