B3 Control Of Hazardous Substances Flashcards
COSHH reg 7 Hierarchy of controls
Elimination = replace for non hazardous, outsource hazardous task.
Substitution = Replace for less hazardous or different physical ie granulated instead of powder.
Modify process = ie brush instead of spray, reduce exposure times, job rotation. minimise or suppress the generation of the substance.
Total enclosure = prevent escape of airborne contaminants
Engineering controls = LEV, ventilation (dilution ventilation)
Minimise numbers exposed
PPE
Emergency procedures
Health surveillance
Principles of good practice as contained in schedule 2A of COSHH
- Design and operate process and activities to minimise emissions , release and spread of substances hazardous to health.
- Take into account all relevant routes of exposure- inhalation, skin and ingestion, when developing control measures.
- Control exposure by measures proportional to the risk.
- Choose the most effective and reliable control options that minimise the escape and spread of substances hazardous to health.
- Where adequate control of exposure can’t be achieved by other means, provide in combination with other control measures suitable PPE.
- Check and review regularly all elements of control measures for their continuing effectiveness.
- Inform and train all employees on the hazards and risks from substances with which they work and the use of control measures developed to minimise the risks.
- Ensure the introduction of measures to control exposure does not increase the overall risk to health and safety.
COSHH reg 7(5) requires what
Further features necessary to control carcinogens and mutagens
- Totally enclosing the process and handling systems, unless not reasonably Practicable
- Prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking in possibly contaminated areas.
- Cleaning floors, walls and other surfaces at regular intervals.
- Designating areas and installations that maybe contaminated and using warning signs.
- Storing, handling and disposing of carcinogens and mutagens safely.
Asbestos
Three types = blue (crocidolite, brown (amosite), white (chrysotile).
Diseases caused = Asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Fibres damage lungs where the fibres are respirable, become engulfed by phagocytic cells in the lung causing alteration in shape of alveoli and loss of elasticity of lungs.
Asbestos related diseases
ASBESTOSIS = Asbestos fibres lodge deep in the lungs and cause scar tissue formation, if enough of the lung is scarred the severe breathing difficulties occur, can increase likelihood of cancer.
MESOTHELIOMA = Cancer of pleura of lungs (always fatal)
LUNG CANCER = Tumours, not distinguishable from other lung cancer, nearly always fatal
PLEURAL THICKENING OR PLAQUES = Thickened areas of lung, sign of exposure, usually no symptoms, small risk of future illness
Control of asbestos regulations imposes
Imposes a duty to manage asbestos in non domestic premises
Impose controls on work with asbestos under three categories of work:
* Non-licensed work
Short non continuous maintenance activities on material in a good condition, where low fibre release is expected when material is disturbed (asbestos cement or floor tiles)
*Notifiable non-licensed work
Short non continuous maintenance activities on material in a poor condition, where high fibre release is expected when material is disturbed
*Licensed work
Longer duration (someone working for more than 1hr per week or two or more workers working for more than 2hrs in a week).
On asbestos coatings, lagging and insulation boards.
The meaning of adequate control
Control to most hazardous substances will only be treated as adequate if the:
- Appropriate WEL has not been exceeded
- Principles of good practice for control have been applied.
Carcinogens, asthmagens and mutagens an additional requirement is that exposure must be to the lowest level reasonably Practicable.
Managing asbestos in a non domestic premises
Any person who has some degree of control over repair and maintenance of non domestic premises must:
- Identify the responsible person
- Carry out Risk Assessment to identify asbestos and possible ACMs
- Assume any material that has the potential to contain asbestos unless evidence exists to prove otherwise.
- Make and keep an up to date record (asbestos register) with the details of these materials, their locations and condition.
- Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to asbestos fibres from these materials.
- Make and implement a plan to manage the risks from these fibres.
- Provide information to anyone who is likely to work on or disturb ACMs.
- Monitor and review the assessment and management plan.
Asbestos surveys
Management survey = Detailed non invasive survey to identify ACMS, may have samples.
Refurbishment/ demolition survey = more destructive and invasive, can only be done by a competent surveyor. Site must be vacant prior to survey and not reoccupied until certified as fit.
Basic rules for asbestos
- Where they are in a good condition they can be left undisturbed.
- Damaged but acceptable condition can be encapsulated, labelled and left.
- Poor condition or likely to be disturbed should be removed.
- Licensed disposal only
- all major work must be carried out by HSE Licensed contractor.
Control measures for working with asbestos
- Carry out a Risk Assessment of exposure
- Prepare written plan of work
- Only carry out Licensed work by Licensed contractor
- Notify appropriate enforcement authority
- Provide information, instruction and training
- Prevent or reduce exposure to asbestos
- Ensure Control measures used
- Maintain Control measures
- Provide protective clothing
- Prepare and practice Emergency procedures
- Prevent or reduce spread
- Ensure plant and premises are suitably clean
- Ensure respirator zones or asbestos areas are designated and marked up
- Carry out air monitoring using the appropriate method, accredited person
- Carry out Health surveillance for Licensed and non Licensed work
- Provide adequate washing and changing facilities
- Ensure ACMs are appropriately stored and disposed of
SSoW for non Licensed asbestos removal
Example procedure for drilling a hole in a textured coating
- Prepare work area
- Appropriate PPE must be worn
- Furniture and fittings must be removed
- Drill entry and exit points must be covered with suitable paste, foam or H vacuum
- All paste, rags and debris must be disposed of as asbestos waste
- Areas must be cleaned with damp rags and H vacuum
- Waste must be doubled bagged and labelled as asbestos waste.
Main parts of an LEV
Hood Ducting Filtration or purifying Fans and motors Exhaust outlet
Types of LEV filtration
Particle collectors
- Fabric filter
- Cyclones
- Electrostatic precipitators
- Scrubbers
Gas and vapour collectors
- Destruction
- Tower scrubbers
- Recovery
Legal requirements for LEV testing and inspection
COSHH = tested and thorough examination at least every 14 months
CLAW = 14 months
CAW = 6 months
By a competent person accredited by
BOHS = British occupational hygiene society
CIBSE = Chartered institution of building service engineers
ILEVE = Institute of local exhaust ventilation engineers
