What is the last line of defense when managing COSHH?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) serves as the last line of defense in managing the risks associated with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). This is because, while various measures can be put in place to prevent exposure to hazardous substances—such as changing work processes or eliminating dangerous materials—there will still be situations where exposure can occur despite these precautions.

PPE is designed to protect the individual directly from exposure, offering physical barriers to the hazardous elements, such as gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing. Therefore, if all other control measures fail or if it is not feasible to eliminate the risk entirely, PPE provides an additional safety layer that helps ensure the health and safety of employees working with these substances.

On the other hand, changing work processes and eliminating dangerous materials are proactive approaches that aim to reduce or eliminate risks before they can cause harm. Training staff exclusively, while important, primarily focuses on raising awareness and understanding of hazards rather than providing physical protection. Thus, PPE is essential because it represents the immediate action taken to protect individuals when other risk management strategies are insufficient.