Updates to CMS (Version 7.19)

Recently, we have managed to update our system to enhance the usability of our CoSHH Management System. We have made the following enhancements

• The ability to complete a CoSHH Control Sheet (CCS) when both an assessment and an activity are already on the system

What will happen from here is that whenever an assessment request is completed, and the activity you have selected is already on the system, you will have the option to complete the assessment straight away. With this enhancement it means you will not have to go back to MyCMS to complete the assessment and reduces the amount of time taken to complete assessment.

• A new CCS Report

A new report has been created which will indicate that if any actions have not been taken which is considered requisite under the exposure scenario. What this does is aid in terms of capturing an action which could have been missed and prompts you to actively conduct the said action. The CCS is an important part of the overall CoSHH assessment as this will show you steps to adequate control exposure.

• The ability to toggle email alerts for users

Now within CMS you will be able to receive Email Alerts for assessments which have been edited during that day. The content of the email will have the number of the assessment, which work area and facility it is in. This will automatically default as No, but can be changed within the Supervisor Section. After the Password has been typed in, select ‘Users’ from the left hand side and click on the user you want to edit. By clicking Edit, you will get the below box, then you will need to check the ‘Email Alert?’ box and then Save.



If you need any more advise you can contact us on 01296 380700 or email cms.helpdesk@sypol.com and speak any member of the team who will be happy to help

Rob Wilkes

CLP: The next step

CLP: The next step

As you may or may not be aware, the next phase of the Global Harmonisation Scheme (GHS) and the classification of hazardous substances has already started. From 1st December, suppliers must classify substances according to both CHIP and CLP, they must be labelled products and packaged including the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) according to CLP. But for mixtures it is slightly different. Suppliers must continue to classify mixtures according to CHIP, and may continue to label and package them according to regulations 6 to 11 of CHIP.
However, they may as an alternative choose to classify, label and package mixtures according to CLP. In this case, they must continue to classify under regulation 4 of CHIP, but the requirements on labelling and packaging in regulations 6 to 11 of CHIP no longer apply. For mixtures the time frames are different, they must continue to carry CHIP labelling until 1st June 2015

So what is the definition of a substance and a mixture according to CLP?

A substance is any material with a definite chemical composition. It’s usually anything which is either a chemical element or compound. The main difference between a mixture and a compound, is that a compound has to have a certain ratio of elements to create a substance where as a mixture does not. For example, Ammonia has to have a certain combination of elements to create it, where as a solvent-based paint does not.

So what will happen if I have a substances and mixtures still in stock with no CLP pictograms?

According to Article 61(4) CLP, if the substance or mixture is classified, labelled and packaged in line with Directive 67/548/EEC (Dangerous Substances Directive, DSD) or in the case of mixtures Directive 1999/45/EC (Dangerous Preparations Directive, DPD) and has already been placed on the market before 1 December 2010 or 1 June 2015 respectively, the substance or mixture which is still in stock does not have to be relabelled and repackaged in accordance with the CLP rules by the supplier until 1 December 2012 or 1 June 2017 respectively.
So in terms of stock that you may already have, there is a 2 year phase out of the old labelling of products before it has to be relabelled. But any substance which is being produced from 1st December, would need to have CLP classification on the label. They may also show CHIP classification.

Will CHIP be totally phased out?

Yes, it will. The aim is to have CHIP labelling phased out by 1st June 2015 (the same date in which CLP pictograms will have to appear on mixtures!!).

So as you can see there are a few transition periods with the migration but you have to remember this is all coming in to force to avoid confusion with other methods of classification and improve chemical safety and occupational safety globally by constructing a suitable and sufficient COSHH risk assessment to protect the most important resource. The employees!

If you need any more advice you can contact us on 01296 380700 or email helpdesk@sypol.com and speak any member of the team who will be happy to help

Rob Wilkes

Completing Assessments Transferred from Version 6

When transferring from CMS 6 to 7, one of the initial problems may be that all of your COSHH assessments which you previously had in CMS 6 will automatically be put into your “incomplete assessments”. The reason being is that the previous system didn’t store the request information. In terms of COSHH, your Exposure Scenario can be classed as you “significant findings” and your COSHH Control Sheet is your “steps to adequately control exposure”. As these are new features on CMS 7, this is the reason that this information hasn’t been captured previously. So at some stage you will need to enter a retrospective scenario so you can start to complete your assessments. Before you start this process you will need to ensure that all the activities you conduct are selected in the Work Area, to do this you will need to go to Work Area > Search for the Assessment > Highlight the Assessment > Click Activities on the bottom half of the Screen > and then you can view the activities and see if they are relevant.

If you know that all is in order, what you will need to do is select My CMS > Incomplete Assessment > Highlight the Assessment > Create Exposure Scenario which is in the bottom half of the screen.


This will take you through to Step 3 of the Request Wizard and you will need to follow the Prompts as per normal. When you have clicked “next” it will take you through to Step 4. The only difference here is with the Activities. Instead of 3 drop down menus giving you the chance to pick different combinations, it will already have the combinations pre-selected for you. You will need to select the activities you need and fill out the Exposure Scenario as normal. Once you have clicked next, the system will automatically ask you if you would like to complete you COSHH Control Sheet

Based on the way in which the material is being used during the chosen exposure scenario, advice will be provided on your requirements under COSHH regulations 7, 10, 11, 12 or 13. These questions will always vary dependant of the initial hazard of the product and whether it is considered requisite or not based on the information inputted into the exposure scenario and the risk of the activity.


The boxes should be ticked to indicate whether you are compliant with these requirements or not, and space is available to attach documentation relating to these requirements. The attachment area is a link to the file location rather than the document itself. Please ensure that this information is on a shared network drive or a drive which is accessible for COSHH coordinators.

If you have any COSHH queries, please feel free to comment leaving contact details or contact Sypol on +44 (0) 1296 380 700 or email us at helpdesk@sypol.com

I hope this helps

Rob Wilkes

British Airways Engineering Family Day a Success

In September, Sypol took part in British Airways Engineering family day, which helped them to raise over £10,000 for Flying Start, British Airways' charity partnership with Comic Relief.

British Airways Engineering, who use CMS, Sypol's COSHH Management System, welcomed more than 10,000 colleagues, family members, friends and invited guests over the weekend at the end of September.

Sypol were delighted to take part in the weekend activities, and provided giveaways to raise money for the charity, whilst showing its range of health and safety services. There were some really interesting and interactive exhibits that were enjoyed by adults and children alike, and this event was very well organised by British Airways Engineering.

We look forward to taking part again next year.

Sypol engagement

We are pleased to announce that Zoe Rowe, one of our CMS administrators yesterday became engaged to James Barnes, on of our occupational hygiene consultants. We wish them every happiness for the future.

CMS testimonial

Watch our latest video testimonial from Elwyn Harker of Barnet & Chase Farm Hospital, talking about his experiences using CMS from Sypol.

Vacancy

We are looking for a graduate interested in occupational hygiene.
Click here for more information