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Posted By Steven
Good Afternoon all, I am looking into measuring the quantity of a hazardous substance in the atmosphere surrounding a particular piece of machinery during a particular task involving a hazardous substance, and would like to here how others do this test. Do you use stain tubes, absorbent material badges or direct reading instruments (cost is obviously high with this method).
Steve
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Posted By Jonathan Sandler CMIOSH
Stephen,
I would leave it to the pro's. To big an issue for us mear h&s bods
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Posted By Sean Fraser
I would endorse that sentiment, as it is better to have a specialist do the initial assessment and if you can continue monitoring in house, they will advise you on what you should use.
We regularly have our LEV examined (as per COSHH) and the last time we added a few sample testing requirements, just to make sure we are still within limits (we were) and identify any continued monitoring requirements (there were none). Expensive, but remember, in our game, a negative result can often be the one most hoped for!
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Posted By Heather Collins
Steven - we use all three of those methods but without you telling us what the hazardous substance is and a bit more about the reasons why you are measuring for it, no-one can advise you any further.
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Posted By Steven
substances using are classed as a category 3 carcinogen, the data sheets explain that if sufficient concentrations of particles and solvent vapours are below the OEL then respiratory protection must be worn. As a matter of precaution PPE is used but i would like to measure the particles in the air to see excactly what the readings are.
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Posted By Gary L
Haven't been involved in monitoring for a number of years but you should consider looking at the Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances listed on the publications section of the HSEs website. There may be a test listed here for your particular substance. If you don't use a recognised test method, your risk assessment won't stand up to scrutiny.
Specialist work of Occ. Hygienists
Gary
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Posted By Frank Hallett
Steven,
My initial advice would be to read the CoSHH ACoP on Carcinogens extremely thoroughly and take it from there.
PS - find a demonstrabley competent person to do the air sampling and write up their findings and recommendations.
Frank Hallett
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Posted By Heather Collins
Steven - the test methods for vapours, fumes and particles are entirely different. As a carcinogen is involved you need expert advice here as others have said.
Just as a thought - stain tubes are excellent for giving an indication of whether there is a problem or not but are not adequate for determining whether you have adequate control (as low as reasonably practicable) or not where a carcinogen is involved.
In general (bearing in mind that there are some specialist test methods) we would use pumped adsorbent tubes (charcoal or porous polymer) as personal samplers to measure solvent levels - these require specialist analysis and are not something to undertake lightly.
For particulate we would use pumped filter heads to again take personal samples. Again specialist gravimetric analysis is required or the results are meaningless.
If you do not have your own laboratory set-up (we do) then it is far more cost effective for you to get an occupational hygiene specialist in to do this for you.
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Posted By Adrian Watson
Dear All,
Just a quick note, a class 3 carcinogen isn't a carcinogen!
Regards Adrian Watson
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Posted By Heather Collins
Fair point Adrian but neither is it true that the Carcinogens code of practice only applies to Cat 1 or 2 carcinogens. Without knowing what the substance is that Steven refers to we don't know if it might be included in one of the other definitions of carcinogen under the Regulations.
For example "rubber manufacturing and processing giving rise to rubber process dust and rubber fume" is considered to fall into the definition of "carcinogen".
Regardless of this, he needs to seek specialist occupatinal hygiene advice.
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Posted By Steven
Thank you all for your input, as Heather has stated we need to get specialist in to carry out this kind of work.
Which we are going to do, so please do not e-mail me looking for work.
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