Hazardous Substances
Apply COSHH-style assessment to source, route, exposure, control, storage and emergency response.
How to prepare for SSSTS
Connect each duty and hazard to the supervisor's workface sequence: check the task and RAMS, brief the team, establish controls, observe and intervene, then report and learn.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Substances include products and process-generated contaminants such as fumes and dust.
Exam cue: Use the safety data sheet as input, not as the completed task assessment.
Concept 2
Assessment considers hazard, route, level and duration of exposure plus combined or changing conditions.
Exam cue: Verify extraction and protective-equipment selection, fit and use.
Concept 3
Substitution, enclosure and extraction are preferred before procedural controls, RPE or PPE.
Exam cue: Include storage, mixing, spill, disposal and emergency arrangements.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Assuming a familiar product is harmless.
Guardrail: Do not use a signature, course certificate or verbal instruction as a substitute for a missing competent plan or physical control.
Treating an SDS as a site-specific COSHH assessment.
Guardrail: Do not use a signature, course certificate or verbal instruction as a substitute for a missing competent plan or physical control.
Providing masks without controlling the source or checking fit.
Guardrail: Do not use a signature, course certificate or verbal instruction as a substitute for a missing competent plan or physical control.
Memory anchors
Source, Route, Receptor
Trace how harm can reach a person.
Assess the Task
Product data does not capture site exposure.
Control at Source
Substitute, enclose or extract first.
Store to Spill
Plan the whole substance life cycle.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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