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Posted By Barrie (Badger) Etter
I've been asked to do a risk assmt on our large paper shredder, the contents of which is used for packing. The main focus for the assmt is the amount of dust that is generated from the process.
Q. Does any one know how much dust is generated from say a ream (500 sheets) of shredded A4 [for benchmarking purposes] and safe working levels for handling the shredded paper afterwards with associated dust?
Any and all replies appreciated.
Badger
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Posted By Hugh Maxwell
Hello Badger,
Part of the risk assessment will identify that the dust is both a personal exposure and fire hazard. I would suggest that you undertake workplace monitoring to see what the levels of dust are and do they constitute a health hazard. Depending on the particle size and concentration, they could constitute a health hazard and a fire/explosion hazard. Just how fine is the dust?
Is there any form of mechanical ventilation associated with the shredder? Are the shredding blades exposed?
Just some food for thought. Hope it assists. Best regards from sunny India. Hugh
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Posted By Barrie (Badger) Etter
Hello from sunny and breezy Hinckley Leicestershire.
Hugh
The dust is something akin to either a very fine talc or cornflour.
The monitoring part had already thought to do using strips of sellotape for a period of one week. Just need to know how much is too much as this is a first for me (a virgin) so treat me gentle!!!
Badger
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Posted By barry dodson
Badger
That sellotape is a bit basic are you sure you don't work for my boss! :)
we got a consultant in to do a set of air particle tests I think my boss was whingeing about £539 but as i said its better than an employee getting emphysema or some other nasty illness 20 years from now
Barry
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Posted By Joel Coppersmith
Although this is not exactly about the shredded paper (apologies) it is on the same lines so...- I read an article that said that printers kick out a lot of of ink particles that are potentially hazardous. Is anyone expecting this to become part of office risk assessments requiring air sampling as mentioned above?
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Posted By Bennie
Hi - a lot would depend on the quality of the paper involved - mechanical or chemical pulp - amount of clay and fillers used - grammage and caliper etc.
Dust studies in a paper mill where I worked which included a reel slitter were found to be lower than any 2guidance" values - a wee while ago, but biggest risk was from fire - hope this helps.
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Posted By Karen Wilson
Remember Barry - that any dust eposure will need to be converted to a Time Weighted Average. 500 sheets will generate different TWA measurements dependent upon the time taken to conduct the task. 500 sheets every five ten minutes will obviously result in a much higher 8hr-TWA concentration than an environment where 500 sheets are shredded over the full shift.
Let me know if I can help you further
Karen
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