Environmental hazards are substances or practices that pose a risk to an ecosystem and environment. It is crucial that your business understands its environmental impact and takes every reasonable measure to minimise it. Not only does this help ensure legal compliance, but - with 92% of UK consumers caring about the impact of their purchases on the environment, according to the EM Consumer Survey 2021 - it places your business as a forward-thinking organisation that customers can trust.
Here, we explain more about environmental hazards, including: the relevant symbol used under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH), various examples of environmental hazards that may be present in your business, how to use hazard signs to highlight various risks, and how to dispose of hazardous chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
What is the harmful to the environment symbol?
The harmful to the environment symbol is a silhouette of a dead fish in front of a dead tree, as stipulated by COSHH. Environmental safety caution signs should be placed on substances that could cause harm to the environment if managed or disposed of incorrectly.
Examples of environmental hazards in the workplace
Your business may need to use a number of substances to perform its day-to-day operations that may cause damage to the environment if managed or disposed of incorrectly. Environmental substances that could cause physical harm - such as irritation or respiratory damage - should be clearly marked by a hazard warning sign. However, where the substance is likely to result in death, a hazard danger sign must be used. Here are some examples of environmentally hazardous substances you might handle in your business:
- Acids
- Caustic substances
- Disinfectants
- Glues
- Heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminium
- Paint
- Pesticides
- Petroleum products
- Solvents
How to dispose of substances that are harmful to the environment
There are five steps to disposing of hazardous waste, which we explain below. However, you should also employ the guidance of an experienced environmental protection officer to ensure every measure is taken thoroughly.
- Classify your waste: you should first check to see if you are producing hazardous waste. You can use the government’s online resources as a checklist to ensure you understand the types of waste you’re producing.
- Separate and store hazardous waste: you should ensure your hazardous waste is kept away from general waste by:
Storing it in a secure place and in a way it can’t leak or spill
Label containers based on the type of waste they contain
Using waterproof containers to prevent run-off and contamination - Use a compliant waste carrier: you can employ a waste management company to dispose of your hazardous waste safely, meaning you don’t need to worry about it.
At UK Safety Store, we make safety as simple as possible for your business, so you can focus on day-to-day operations, which is why we created our free safety resource hub. Environmental safety is crucial for maintaining a positive relationship with your clients, complying with legal regulations and protecting the environment. For more information on hazardous substances and hazards, visit our dedicated hazard safety resource page.
Darren Taylor, managing director of UK Safety Store
With over 30 years' experience in the manufacturing and regulations of safety signs, our managing director Darren prides himself on providing the very best services and insights for all UK Safety Store customers.
