Page 220 - IGC BOOK

The lymphatic system Acts as a 'form of drainage system' throughout the body for the
removal of foreign bodies. Lymphatic glands or nodes at specific
points in the system act as selective filters preventing infection from
entering the blood system. In many cases a localised
inflammation occurs in the node at this time.

Assessment of Health Risks

Where workers might potentially be exposed to hazardous substances through the course of their
work, it will be necessary to assess that potential to ensure that harm does not occur. In Great
Britain, this is a requirement of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH). These regulations reflect EU directive requirements.
The steps to carrying out a hazardous substance risk assessment are:

1. Identify the hazardous substances present and the people who might potentially be exposed.
2. Gather information about the substances.
3. Evaluate the health risk.
4. Identify any controls needed and implement them.
5. Record the assessment and action taken.
6. Review.
When identifying the hazardous substances present in the workplace, remember that they can be
created by work processes. For example, welding metal creates a metal fume; mixing bleach and
acid together can create chlorine gas. These hazardous substances (the metal fume and the
chlorine gas) do not come pre-packaged and labelled, but are created by the work process.

Sources of Information

Information about the nature of a hazardous substance can be obtained from many different
sources. Three of the most commonly used sources are the:

• Product label.
• Relevant guidance notes that contain information about Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs).
• Safety data sheet for the substance.

Product Label

According to (Classification, Labelling and packaging) CLP Article 17, a substance and mixture
classified as hazardous must bear a label including the following elements:

• Name, address and telephone number of the supplier(s).

•The nominal quantity of the substance or mixture in the package where this is being made
available to the general public, unless this quantity is specified elsewhere on the package.

• Product identifiers.

ENSIGN| Unit IG2 – Element 7 – Chemical and Biological 15
Agents