We are here for you

A great many things are automated these days, bypassing the need for human intervention entirely.
So its comforting to know that when you plug all that information into the CMS 7 software, it goes straight to a real live qualified Sypol consultant who then puts together your COSHH assessment for you.

Here is are some of them. Friendly bunch aren't they?

Not only that, they are on the end of the Helpdesk (01296 380700, or helpdesk@sypol.com) waiting to assist with your queries on the CMS software, or indeed any topic, including their favourite chocolate biscuit - because your consultants certainly love to eat.

So call us for a chat and brighten our day.

Updates to CMS 7 software

You'll be pleased to hear that a number of new items have been added to the CMS 7 management software and these will be active from Thursday 8th July and are shown below:

Printing
You will see additonal printing options. For complete assessments you can now print any of the following:

• COSHH Summary Sheet
• Exposure Scenario
• COSHH Control Sheet

My CMS dashboard
The My CMS summary screen now has a new graph showing the percentage of coshh control sheets completed.

Account settings
You will now be able to add telephone numbers, email address and fax numbers to individual user account settings.

Exposure scenario
A new question is being added to the exposure scenario about whether the material is being used outside of the normal temperature range

If you need help with these or any other changes to your CMS, give the team a call on the helpdesk or email helpdesk@sypol.com.

Getting ready for CLP

The CMS consultants have been getting to grips with hazard classification of substances under the CLP Regulations, and all the delightful new pictograms which will be coming to a product label (and Sypol COSHH assessment) near you from December this year.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/ghs/eureg.htm

Some of the symbols are slightly bizarre and will take a bit of getting used to, but its all in the name of progress.

In this joyful transition period (until June 2015), statements like the one below are cunningly designed to pull you up short on a Monday morning after a heavy weekend following the World Cup:

20th January 2009 – 1st December 2010: Suppliers must classify substances 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 substances according to CLP. In this case, they must in addition 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.

Never fear, we have chemists at Sypol who, despite being massive football fans, are not phased by this sort of language, and are happy to explain it in simple terms at half time to anyone who will listen.

The competent smell of roses

Competence is an adjective rarely used as a form of praise in the world outside of health and safety.

Helen of Troy’s competence never launched a single ship; the leader of the Macedonians was not Alexander the Competent and a rose by any other name would not smell as competent.

In the wider world, competence is an adjective that describes the middle ground. It describes base mediocrity, a dull compliance with what people expect and the minimum standards for inclusion.

You would be deeply disappointed if you attended a competent performance at the Royal Opera House, followed by a competent meal at the Savoy Grill.

However, in our field, competence is an adjective that puts people in the highest bracket of those we would put our trust, our health and our company’s prosperity in the hands of. Competence in this case is a knowledge and acceptance of responsibility; an innate or learnt ability and a safe pair of hands.

Competence is a mixture of qualities. Skill, knowledge, intelligence and experience all go into the blend, but the blend has to be right for the circumstances. I would happily let Richard Dawkins run my genetics laboratory; I would not let him replace my central heating.

Do I really need a COSHH assessment for water?

Are you struggling to get your head around COSHH? After all, you need a degree in chemistry to get to grips with all these chemicals right?

Even if you are quite comfortable with the Safety side of Health and Safety, the Health bit can be pretty daunting.

If you’re not careful, one of two things can happen; you stick your head in the sand and hope it will go away (after all, you’re far too busy with the safety stuff). Or you go the bonkers conkers route, spend hours assessing things which you don’t need to, and the whole thing loses credibility.

Both options spell disaster.

You need to:

• Get proper training and support from people who know what they’re talking about when it comes to the COSHH regulations.

• Decide whether you are going to do the assessments yourself. If not, find a reputable organisation with the competency to put them together for you.

• Manage COSHH properly, in the same way you manage other risks to your business.

So, do you need a COSHH assessment for water?

What do you think? Join the debate - have a rant.