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Posted By Shaun Holyland
Can anybody advise on the use of photocopiers in a work area. Basically, we have an office which houses 3 administration assistants that work part time hours. Located in the office is a photocopier which is used on a daily basis (restricted to approx: 50 copies per time).
One of the assistants is concerned that the copier could be causing harm to health. Is this true ??
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Posted By David Thomas
having read the previous thread, I would like to make the following comments, which refer to printers as well as copiers:-
a) they generate poor air quality due to the output from their "cooling" fans
b) they generate electrostatic charge, which effects the general office environment
c) changing the toner cartridges should be carried out with the minimum of people around as this can cause dust particles to become airborne.
d) despite the foregoing - they should not be shunted out of the general office into a cupboard - these rarely have any form of air flow, which makes matters worse, not better!
This type of equipment tends to dry the air as well as adding fumes from the printing process, so good airflow is required. Also, locating in a cupboard causes noise problems for the operator - opening up a new can of worms!
I have been called into a fairly large office area because of consistent headaches. I found that 2 colour printers were located on "D" pieces at the end of desks adjacent to workers, with 2 copiers (one networked to function as a printer) adjacent.
The only option was to relocate the printers and the copiers to a "printing area" where, although in a large open plan office, the poor quality air generated by this equipment was compensated for within the general office.
I personally would not sit next to a heavy duty colour printer or copier!
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Posted By James Goodstadt
Just out of curiosity, has anyone included their photocopier toner in the DSEAR assessments.
The company I sued to work for had the Material safety data sheet pinned up next to the copier, which said the dust may form an explosive mixture on mixing with eth atmosphere.
I have often wondered to what level people have taken their assessments to (stored tippex is flammable for e.g.).
I’ve always been of the opinion that the big hitters (stored flammable liquids, under escape ways etc) to be more concerning, but the regulations don’t put a minimum limit on what should be included.
Thoughts please (and sorry if this is hi-jacking, but it is almost relevant)
Regards
James
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Posted By David A Jones
I am aware of at least one major company that has undertaken a COSHH assessment in respect of ozone from photocopiers
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Posted By Laurie
I have done COSHH assessments for ozone (and for toner, as part of a risk assessment for dropping a toner cartridge).
Don't forget also that if you do bulk shredding, e.g. an admin assistant doing a one hour shredding session on a Friday afternoon, there will be paper dust as well as airborne toner to be assessed
Laurie
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Posted By RP
I have just looked at our copiers manual and it suggests that the copier is used in a well ventilated area and away from where others may work. does not say why this should be, one can only guess. Excessive use may cause copier fumes to become uncomfortable. Ahh COSHH assessment.... now what??
Staff have moved to another room and the copier stays where it is...still got the fumes tho'
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Posted By MarkSMark
I am not as "qualified" as all the other people on this forum but I think I have a good grasp of managing people in sticky situations like this.
The first thing is to identify the complainers. Do they actually have a serious worry, or are they habitual moaners? Then you can decide whether to act or not.
If they have serious complaints then put all the people who complain on a seat swap rota. Make them log off their computers and change desk with all their belongings and documents- every half hour or so. Tell them this is so that their exposure time to the copier is reduced. They will get so fed up of doing this that they will eventually not mind being near the copier.
Another tactic would be to de-sensitise the people to the copier by making about 1000 copies on one day, therefore on any other following day where only 50 copies are made it will not seem so bad.
If either of these fail you could make them realise how important the copier is by threatening to remove the copier and making them copy 50 documents a day by hand.
I hope this helps
Mark
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Posted By JD Daley
Not sure how you do things in the UK - but - in Oz the first thing I would do is go to the Manufacturers Instruction Guide for Use and Storage of the equipment. I'm sure you will find that the manufacturers recommend that photocopiers be installled in well ventilated areas - some even recommend 'separately ventilated areas' - and that the by-product of photocopier use is the production of Ozone, a substance that can lead to respiratory function upsets, headaches and migraines.
The MSDS for the toners used are required to be displayed at the 'point of use' under most Oz OHS legislative requirements, however, my experience is that few organisations do so. Perhaps that comes from so many of us having this equipment in our own homes at home workstations and I ask how many of you have the MSDS next to your printer? I bet most will have their Laser and/or colour printer right alongside their PC's?
Like others have said - I wouldn't sit with a photocopier or colour printer (not a great deal of difference - particularly a Laser printer) on the end of my desk!
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Posted By Merv Newman
I once did a draeger tube test for a well used photocopier. I could smell ozone in the air but there was no reaction from the tube. I concluded that detecting ozone by smell was no indicator of a significant health-affecting concentration
I would be interested if anyone else has actually tested the air quality around their copiers
This particular copier was in a three sided alcove, 2m x 2m, off an open-plan office.
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Posted By JD Daley
Never was over-confident about Draeger tubes - thought they were a bit like canaries in a cage!
There are some very sophisticated (and relatively cheap) micro-electronic detecting devices/monitors around these days for measuring Ozone concentrations. Don't recall the exposure levels - anyone know off hand?
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Posted By neil poyznts-powell
In previous employment we had a total of five photocopiers and four laser printers. The copiers were all located in areas close to the office extraction systems and the laser printers were palced in areas with good general ventilation.
We conducted draeger tube OEM on a montly basis for one year on both photocopier and laser printers, and as there was no detectable ozone dropped this to once every twelve months. If new equipment was brought into the site or if significant changes to the layout were made we then reverted to monthly testing for the new/affected equipment.
We had no compalints from staff regarding medical problems although if we had our occupational health procedure would have come into play.
The main area of risk we found, were concerned with the manual handling of boxes of paper to load the copiers/printers and maintaining good housekeeping around the copiers to avoid trip hazards.
Regards,
Neil
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Posted By David A Jones
Used to be 0.1 ppm and 0.3 ppm, but this changed to a single value of 0.2ppm STEL (15 minute reference period) a few years ago - there is no set value for 8hrTWA value.
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Posted By JD Daley
Neil,
That sounds about right - isolate from work area (even by distance) locate near good ventilation and monitor results accordingly.
You Ax of Manual Handling as the main risk in your case was 'spot on'!
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Posted By JD Daley
Ta Davey, Saves this old brain from having to look it up! I'll note it for future reference.
Well done!
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Posted By peter gotch Shaun, Assuming photocopier in reasonably well ventilated area eg open plan office and not in some small cupboard, ozone levels should not be a significant risk. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/90-2.htmRegards, Peter
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Posted By Matt Green
You should check the emissions with the manufacturers and the competent persons who maintain it. Will also depend on the use, age and condition of the model. Newer models that are well maintained have really good filters.
I have read somewhere that computer printers give off more emissions!
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Posted By JD Daley
"...Assuming photocopier in reasonably well ventilated area eg open plan office and not in some small cupboard, ozone levels should not be a significant risk..."
Err! Yeah! Thought that had been said? :)
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Posted By Ian Bennett
Shaun,
Don't print all of the replies as it will make the situation worse!!!!
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