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Posted By Steven Mellor
I have been asked to advise about the risk from the recycling of 'old' water in a brick saw. The water has been used at times for days and has a suspect odour. The machine also creates a mist as it is running. This is a new one on me so I have tentitively suggested a thorough cleaning schedule including draining the water on a daily basis, with possible enclosure and extraction of the mist and PPE as a last resort. can anyone help?
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Posted By Jonathan Breeze
The combination of stagnant water & mist doesn't sound good at all to me.
You'd have to get confirmation from a specialist but it sounds like ideal breeding grounds for legionella combined with an excellent method of infecting anyone nearby.
The problem would be solved by an end of shift clean down of the brick saw every day and a re-priming it at the start of a new shift with clean water.
Just a gut feel there, any other suggestions?
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Posted By Paul Oliver
No I Agree,
You need have a management plan in place to adequately remove or recycle the waste water.
If your plan involves recycling of waste water then you will have to look at automatic dosing systems or regular manual supply of suitable detergents or biocides.
It's not as difficult as it sounds, you just need to get some external advice and get your bosses primed to release a bit of, ahem cash
Paul
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Posted By Steven Mellor
Thanks chaps. I think we're in agreement about the absolute necessity for a thorough clean down after each shift. I like the idea of a biocide as an extra safety measure - but does that carry a risk too? What types of biocides are available and how are they administered?
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Posted By CHRISTOPHER HAYWARD
Our triple roll mill cooling systems are dosed with a biocide from Rentokill Initial. But biocides are very much "horses for courses" and in concentrated form tend to be corrosive and toxic to the environment.
We also add them on to some of our products on another site, but not the one used in the mill water. Those come from people like Thor chemicals.
No, I don't work for either of the companies named.
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Posted By Calum R Cameron
I dont think you would get any risk of legonella from the water as it would not be at a temperature of 40-60 deg(something like from memory)
I would not jump to the use of biocides as this will increase the risks of things like respiritory sensitisation and skin sensitisation.
I would be more concerned about the physical hazards such as noise, vibration, and electrical etc.
Hope this helps.
Calum Cameron MIOSH Dip2OSH
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Calum
Surely the temperature range you are thinking about is 20-45ºC (for proliferation of the organism) but in any case any legionella already in the water will be available to cause infection if inhaled.
Paul
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Posted By Calum R Cameron
I apologise if I got the teperatures wrong-they were off the top of my head as I said.
I will now make a mental note of them again-Im jet lagged after a trip..
I doubt whether the temperature of 20deg would be reached on a brick saw. A temperature measurement of the water when the saw is in use may be wise to confirm it. I would suggest that the water is drained and replaced daily-as was stated by a previous member.
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Posted By Stephen_S_Edwards
From experience, the tray and machine needs to be cleaned out regularly anyway, because it simply doesn't cut as well with water that has been recycled numerous times. It tends to turn into slime almost and cutting becomes more difficult.
When I was using a 'Clipper' Saw I isolated the machine and cleaned it out 2 or 3 times a day, for this very reason.
Also, if you are using a diamond blade, you need a constant supply of relatively fresh water to act as a coolant to the blade. Without this, there is a possibility that the blade will fracture eventually - so changing the water has other safety implications.
I would be more concerned with the noise generated by the saw than any biological hazards associated.
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Posted By Steven Mellor
I agree that the main physical hazards associated with the saw should be controlled first and that the saw should be regularly cleaned down. About the temperature however, there is a likelihood that the temperature of the water may edge into the parameters already quoted. I suppose a regular check of the water temp would be a more suitable control than regular 'dosing'.
Cheers
Steve
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