Posted By Alan Murphy If you have an enclosed area where painting is being done and the MSDS sheet says HANDLING CONDITIONS: Vapours are heavier than air and may spread along floors. They may form explosive mixtures with air. Prevent the creation of flammable or explosive concentrations of vapour in air and avoid vapour concentrations higher than the occupational exposure limits. In addition, the product should only be used in areas from which all naked lights and other sources of ignition have been excluded. Electrical equipment should be protected by the appropriate standard. Keep the container tightly closed. Exclude sources of heat, sparks and open flame. Non-sparking tools should be used. But there is no source of heating and it can be 0c at times, so they have an industrial propane heater, with flame, I know these MSDS sheets can cover every eventuality, so you would argue the heater must not be used in the area they are painting, so is there a better way of heating the area or do you just have to ask them to work in 0c the bulidiing is (10m x 20m x 5m high)

Posted By Alan Murphy Its no wind up i have just found out and am having a few stern words at present you have to remember as safety profesionals we only give guidance and let them know the consequences of their actions. You can take a horse to water but you cant make it drink. I am afraid you need the full backing of management to fully implement everything.

Posted By Alan Murphy I have already stopped it, i was going to anyway, i suppose i am really looking for other ideas for means of heating now. Thanks for help anyway

Posted By Mark Talbot Hi, I can see why you are concerned. You do not state if the substance is used every day, what quantity and we know nothing of the room except its size and temperature. Forgive me if I am reading it wrong, but you don't seem to know: 1) what levels of the substance (vapours) are present 2) how those levels compare to EH40 and the data sheets 3) whether to believe the data sheets or not 4) what the 'appropriate standard' means 5) whether your colleagues are in imminent danger of explosion or poisoning If you were visited by an inspector, and large quantities were being used but you could not furnish the information needed to calm them down, I would not be suprised to see some severe action. I would suggest you call the manufacturer of the materials today and take some further advice. It may be that the quantity you use is not a problem, or it may not.

Posted By Alan Murphy Right first things first, I have been at the company 6 weeks i am trying to instill a WHOLE new outlook to safety, I was alerted to this problem at 12.30pm today went straight to the site, did a standing assessment came back rang the company of the heater and rang ICI direct for their MSDS sheet of the wood preservative, then forwarded this on to our PPE suppliers who are ensuring we have the correct respiratory protection. Since collating all info I have stopped the heater being used and application until all the correct safety specifications are in place, Including a COSHH assessment which will show the need for testing and looking for safer alternatives. If i have missed anything out there please let me know. This is a symptom of bad practices where there should be a safe system in place to ensure these things are highlighted to the correct people before this process even takes place. I am working towards putting all these systems in place, as all good safety is built on sound workable policies, policed by competent management and superviaors on all levels. But i am afraid Rome wasnt built in a day. But it will be built As for the amounts, the wood preservative will be painted on all day for 8 Hours, and yes there is a liftable door at one end of room. Thank you again for all advice,

Posted By Alan Murphy No this is alcholol based, harmful, irritant and flammable

Posted By Alan Murphy 2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS Substances presenting a health or environmental hazard within the meaning of the CHIP Regulations or which are assigned occupational exposure limits. EC No. HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS % SYMBOLS HEALTH R PHRASES Chestnut and Golden Brown: 265-185-4 NAPHTHA HYDRODESULF. HEAVY <10 XnN R65,66,51/53 265-196-4 PETROLEUM BITUMEN 5-25 Xn R40 265-150-3 NAPHTHA, HYDROTREATED HEAVY 2.5-10 Xn R65,66 232-315-6 PARAFFIN WAX <2.5 Unavailable ACYPETACS-ZINC 2.5-10 N R51/53 232-366-4 KEROSINE (PETROLEUM) 50-100 XnN R38,65,51/53 Acorn Brown and Rustic Green: 265-185-4 NAPHTHA HYDRODESULF. HEAVY <2.5 XnN R65,66,51/53 265-150-3 NAPHTHA, HYDROTREATED HEAVY 2.5-10 Xn R65,66 232-315-6 PARAFFIN WAX <2.5 Unavailable ACYPETACS-ZINC 2.5-10 N R51/53 232-366-4 KEROSINE (PETROLEUM) 50-100 XnN R38,65,51/53 Note: The text for R phrase codes shown above (if any) is given in section 16.

Posted By Alan Murphy Yes I realised that after on closer inspection, a manager told me it was alcohol based, but still flammable, ty for all advice anyway

Posted By Alan Murphy Ty again for some good advice, what a day, allways something different to encounter in health and safety lol