Posted By MichaelM Jane Do not dry brush it or dry dust it for a start. Damp it down and then clean up. Or alternatively, use a hepa filtered vacuum cleaner. The dust will contain chemical compounds which could be carcinogenic and may be asthmagens. Be very careful here as the same controls should be employed to ensure it is not breathed in, as would be required by longer term processes.

Posted By Jane Watts Hi there, Thanks for replying. This is what worries me, that we take the necessary precautions without going OTT. Is softwood carcinogenic? I didn't think it was, or are you referring to the fact that it's melamine covered? Is just wetting it down enough for a few minutes a year? and at what point would you need to introduce more stringent controls? Also, what about wearing face masks as well? Although I realise this should be last resort.

Posted By Jane Watts Ok, so if bandsaw's normally require LEV but for 5 minutes probably a dust mask would do, at what time level should we consider LEV. I know it's not as simple as saying anything over 20 mins will, but I hope you see what i'm trying to get at. Incidentally, do dust masks require fit testing?

Posted By Jane Watts Ok, (sorry to sound uninformed) so do you get datasheets for wood? this would then confirm whether it contains any 'nasties'?

Posted By Jane Watts Now I always have this issue with COSHH, how can you determind whether the levels are being exceeded unless you actually do sampling? Surely this isn't feasible to do on every occasion?

Posted By Nigel Souster If you' re only cutting for 5 minutes a year, wouldn't you be better selling the bandsaw and getting you local wood supplier/timber yard to supply the wood ready cut? This would then eliminate the hazard of wood dust. Nigel

Posted By Frank Hallett Good evening Jane Most of the answers have been provided already, but you may wish to consider the following. There are clearly identified acceptable levels of inhalable & respirable dust identified in the new EH40 in the same way as the old EH40. A "lamp test" is notoriously unreliable to measure the airborne particles and you will need to undertake a reasonable [given the info provided] sampling and monitoing scheme. Melamine in particular is a cocktail of nasty substances and the bonding that is used should be fully researched - I'm no chemist, I just take the results and apply appropriate controls. Other issues that haven't been fully explored arise from the use of the band-saw - I assume that it complies fully with PUWER? And the prevention of melamine splinters becoming projectiles - they're sharper than glass and travel at speed; and mostly hit the eyes it seems. Ultimately, the hassle involved in what appears to be an activity that could be dispensed with [perhaps by contracting it out] will probably outweigh the provision of a defensible range of effective control measures. Good luck Frank Hallett

Posted By Frank Hallett You are most unlikely to get a MSDS as routine for timber unless it has been treated with something out of the ordinary - though there is no derogation that I'm aware of that would exclude the provision of a MSDS if requested. Different timber teatments provide different hazards. Melamine is now so common that most people fail to recognise the inherently hazardous properties of the stuff even before you start to mill or machine saw it. Again, you should be able to obtain a MSDS from the manufacturer on request. You must bear in mind that the MSDS is only applicable to the substance in the form in which it is presented by the manufacturer and there will still be a need to carry out a sufficiently comprehensive series of RAs for what you intend to do with it. My advice - get rid of the activity; especially as it may apparently take place under circumstances where you will have difficulty ensuring that the protective measures may always be used as intended. Frank Hallett

Posted By Gareth Bryan At last a sensible answer!!