New HSE guidance and enforcement
11 Mar 2009
Dust at work has been one of the largest occupational killers of all time and has caused misery to, and shortened the lives of, hundreds of thousands of people. Workers in mines, quarries, foundries, textile mills, bakeries, or industries with wood, leather and radioactive materials, amongst others, are all likely to develop ill health.
Health problems associated with dust exposure include; silicosis, asthma, emphysema, mesothelioma, cancer, allergies, skin and eye damage, blood disorders and nervous system damage. And new occupational conditions can arise - for example, "flock workers lung" or organic dust toxic syndrome.
Many dusts, including flour, coal, metal, and rubber are combustible, while others can also be explosive. No dust should be regarded as "safe", even some dust thought just to be a nuisance turned out, in the light of further research, to present a significant threat.
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations have been around for some years now.
Responsible companies have always prioritised employee welfare, but there are, unfortunately, still too many employers for whom workplace air quality is not seen as a key part of their business. Many service organisations and consultants offer "thorough examination and test" procedures to comply with the requirements of COSHH, but there has been no consistent approach to this and inspection reports vary from the superbly comprehensive to the sadly lacking, leaving the employer in an uncertain position in the unfortunate event of a claim.
During 2006, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was mandated by government to reduce the number of work-related instances of respiratory disease; better understanding and enforcement of COSHH regulations relating to airborne particulates were thus targeted. As a result, HSE set up a working group to help develop new clear guidance that could be implemented by employers and effectively inspected and monitored by HSE. This resulted in three new guidance documents - together with a structured training programme for HSE inspectors, already being implemented - that address workplace air quality clearly and decisively and will aid enforcement where required.
Whilst COSHH regulations address hazardous materials in the workplace in any medium, this review concentrates on airborne particulate pollutants, which are becoming better known as possible health hazards. As awareness of hazards arising from breathing contaminated air has advanced, there has been a gradual reduction in work-related respiratory diseases; but a significant problem remains.
Lack of knowledge and application by employers could be held to blame, but until recently guidance and technical information have been uncoordinated, often subjective and, although much information was available, the subject was a daunting one, particularly for non-specialists. Nonetheless, public awareness and expectations of air quality are increasing, together with possibilities to take legal action against errant employers.
The new guidance documents, available since May 2008, relate to the design and use of dust extraction (LEV) systems, initial assessment and mandatory testing at 14- month intervals. The employers' requirements to ensure satisfactory breathing air quality for the workforce are clearly explained.
The handbook "Controlling airborne contaminants at work" is aimed at suppliers and installers of LEV systems and also service organisations that perform testing and inspection. It considers the total design of dust extraction systems, from specification, hood and ducting design through to installation and commissioning. The behaviour of dust and fume is described, with explanations of common processes.
Other relevant COSHH data is described, with references for further study, including allied legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Following information about manuals and log books, the book gives guidance on thorough examination and test procedures, legal requirements and concludes with a useful reference list.
The publication allocates responsibilities to all stages of the life of a local exhaust ventilation installation. For example, the designer and manufacturer of the system must gain sufficient information from the customer to ensure efficient hood designs that can, and will, be used properly, neither obstructing the operator nor making their machine awkward to maintain.
The equipment companies have to provide design operating parameters and clear operation and maintenance instructions. They must also ensure that the customer's operators are properly trained, and demonstrate how to prepare a logbook for service and inspections.
LEV installers and commissioning engineers must be made fully aware of all critical details that may affect performance, particularly relating to clearing the breathing zone of contaminants. Maintenance engineers must know, for example, the hazards associated with the machine and products in use. They must be provided with, and trained to use, appropriate personal protective equipment. They should know how to test the LEV system and the effectiveness of extraction hoods, typically using a smoke generator and dust lamp to observe the effectiveness of dust and fume capture.
LEV examiners performing statutory examination and tests must know the system and how legal requirements apply specifically to the individual installation. Of course, they must have complete performance-related information to be able to test to benchmark figures.
This handbook will be particularly useful for LEV manufacturers and consultants engaged in inspection and testing. Employers with a keen interest in breathing air quality management will also find it a very helpful guide. It is available to purchase from HSE.
The pocket guide "Time to clear the air" is an aid for employees in the form of bullet points and a daily checklist. Every employee who may encounter airborne contaminants should keep a copy for reference. Both these publications are available free to download from HSE website (www.hse.gov/lev), or can be purchased at minimal cost in printed form from HSE Books.
Everyone involved with the installation and use of LEV systems should seek appropriate training, such as the approved courses now available through the British Occupational Hygiene Society. This includes examiners, so that inspections and recommendations are fair, accurate and helpful to the employer.
The woodworking industry will be the first to be targeted by HSE, but all industries whose processes could subject workers to dust will gradually be included for more rigorous implementation of this aspect of COSHH regulations as the rate of HSE inspections increases.
Health problems associated with dust exposure include; silicosis, asthma, emphysema, mesothelioma, cancer, allergies, skin and eye damage, blood disorders and nervous system damage. And new occupational conditions can arise - for example, "flock workers lung" or organic dust toxic syndrome.
Many dusts, including flour, coal, metal, and rubber are combustible, while others can also be explosive. No dust should be regarded as "safe", even some dust thought just to be a nuisance turned out, in the light of further research, to present a significant threat.
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations have been around for some years now.
Responsible companies have always prioritised employee welfare, but there are, unfortunately, still too many employers for whom workplace air quality is not seen as a key part of their business. Many service organisations and consultants offer "thorough examination and test" procedures to comply with the requirements of COSHH, but there has been no consistent approach to this and inspection reports vary from the superbly comprehensive to the sadly lacking, leaving the employer in an uncertain position in the unfortunate event of a claim.
During 2006, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was mandated by government to reduce the number of work-related instances of respiratory disease; better understanding and enforcement of COSHH regulations relating to airborne particulates were thus targeted. As a result, HSE set up a working group to help develop new clear guidance that could be implemented by employers and effectively inspected and monitored by HSE. This resulted in three new guidance documents - together with a structured training programme for HSE inspectors, already being implemented - that address workplace air quality clearly and decisively and will aid enforcement where required.
Whilst COSHH regulations address hazardous materials in the workplace in any medium, this review concentrates on airborne particulate pollutants, which are becoming better known as possible health hazards. As awareness of hazards arising from breathing contaminated air has advanced, there has been a gradual reduction in work-related respiratory diseases; but a significant problem remains.
Lack of knowledge and application by employers could be held to blame, but until recently guidance and technical information have been uncoordinated, often subjective and, although much information was available, the subject was a daunting one, particularly for non-specialists. Nonetheless, public awareness and expectations of air quality are increasing, together with possibilities to take legal action against errant employers.
The new guidance documents, available since May 2008, relate to the design and use of dust extraction (LEV) systems, initial assessment and mandatory testing at 14- month intervals. The employers' requirements to ensure satisfactory breathing air quality for the workforce are clearly explained.
The handbook "Controlling airborne contaminants at work" is aimed at suppliers and installers of LEV systems and also service organisations that perform testing and inspection. It considers the total design of dust extraction systems, from specification, hood and ducting design through to installation and commissioning. The behaviour of dust and fume is described, with explanations of common processes.
Other relevant COSHH data is described, with references for further study, including allied legislation such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Following information about manuals and log books, the book gives guidance on thorough examination and test procedures, legal requirements and concludes with a useful reference list.
The publication allocates responsibilities to all stages of the life of a local exhaust ventilation installation. For example, the designer and manufacturer of the system must gain sufficient information from the customer to ensure efficient hood designs that can, and will, be used properly, neither obstructing the operator nor making their machine awkward to maintain.
The equipment companies have to provide design operating parameters and clear operation and maintenance instructions. They must also ensure that the customer's operators are properly trained, and demonstrate how to prepare a logbook for service and inspections.
LEV installers and commissioning engineers must be made fully aware of all critical details that may affect performance, particularly relating to clearing the breathing zone of contaminants. Maintenance engineers must know, for example, the hazards associated with the machine and products in use. They must be provided with, and trained to use, appropriate personal protective equipment. They should know how to test the LEV system and the effectiveness of extraction hoods, typically using a smoke generator and dust lamp to observe the effectiveness of dust and fume capture.
LEV examiners performing statutory examination and tests must know the system and how legal requirements apply specifically to the individual installation. Of course, they must have complete performance-related information to be able to test to benchmark figures.
This handbook will be particularly useful for LEV manufacturers and consultants engaged in inspection and testing. Employers with a keen interest in breathing air quality management will also find it a very helpful guide. It is available to purchase from HSE.
The pocket guide "Time to clear the air" is an aid for employees in the form of bullet points and a daily checklist. Every employee who may encounter airborne contaminants should keep a copy for reference. Both these publications are available free to download from HSE website (www.hse.gov/lev), or can be purchased at minimal cost in printed form from HSE Books.
Everyone involved with the installation and use of LEV systems should seek appropriate training, such as the approved courses now available through the British Occupational Hygiene Society. This includes examiners, so that inspections and recommendations are fair, accurate and helpful to the employer.
The woodworking industry will be the first to be targeted by HSE, but all industries whose processes could subject workers to dust will gradually be included for more rigorous implementation of this aspect of COSHH regulations as the rate of HSE inspections increases.
