Each container of chemical, solvent, oil, etc must have the Hazard Severity Level indicated.
Hazard Severity Level
Indication of danger
Recommended control measures
1

Substances which are considered to carry a low level of severity including those without any indication of danger.

 Substances in this category can be used on the open bench
2
 Substances which carry a medium level of severity. These include:
  • Flammable
  • Highly flammable
  • Irritant (R36, R37, R38)
  • Corrosive ( R34, R35)
  • Harmful substances (R20, R21, R22) but not Category 3 Carcinogens / Mutagens / Toxic to Reproduction, & Sensitisers
 Additional protection against health risks: wear suitable protective gloves and eye or full face protection if handling liquids. Also apply any additional, special handling procedures required. Substances in this category must be confined to a fume hood / ventilated cabinet where there is a likely chance of exposure.
Additional Protection against Physico-chemical risks: substances in this category may be used on the open
3
 Substances considered to carry a high level of severity. These include:
  • Explosive
  • Oxidising
  • Extremely flammable
  • Harmful (Category 3 Carcinogens / Mutagens / Toxic to Reproduction, & Sensitisers) (R40, R42, R43)
  • Toxic (including Category 2 Carcinogens, Mutagens and Toxic to Reproduction) (R23, R24, R25, R45, R46, R48, R49, R60, R61, R62, R63)
  • Very Toxic (R26, R27, R28, R39)

Additional protection against health risks: wear suitable protective gloves and eye or full face protection if handling liquids. Substances in this category may require the use of a fume cupboard when exposure potential is high.
Additional protection against physico-chemical risks: substances in this category may be used on the open bench if ignition sources, chemical incompatibilities are properly controlled.
4

Severity level 4 is used only where there is an exceptional hazard e.g. able to cause acute or chronic health effects at low levels of exposure or where statutory controls are in place concerning the substance.

This level includes all Category 1 Carcinogens, Mutagens and substances Toxic to Reproduction (R45, R46, R48, R49, R60, R61, R62, R63) NOTE: this level may also include some substances labelled Very Toxic (R26, R27, R28, R39)

 Handling of these substances require special containment facilities and prior written approval by the HoD.

Details of the COSHH procedures can be found in the Univeristy Guidance Note 6 The Control of Hazardous Substances at the University of York (http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas/GN6.html) and Information Sheets:

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Nigel Woolsey,
ncw2@york.ac.uk
29 September, 2004