Posted By RHOES
Hi,

Does anyone know if printer/copier toner presents a hazard to an unborn child where the expectant mother is exposed?

Regards

Rich

Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Rich

How much exposure are you talking about?

Paul

Posted By graeme12345
she is more at danger from walking down a busy high streeet from car fumes than the miniscule and occasional respiratory hazards of a copier

Posted By Amandac
Graeme

Whilst I may agree with your comment above.....
Unless this pregnant and new mother is employed to walk down the high street (Traffic Warden?) it is not her emplyers responsibility. It is their responsibility to assess the risks to her and more importantly the unborn baby. Given the scant information about the copier printer etc how do we know the level of exposure etc?

Posted By Jane Blunt
Not strictly so - the generation of ozone does not require sunlight, and sunlight coming through glass lacks the relevant wavelengths.

Most equipment these days is equipped with a decent filter that prevent exposure - you can usually readily detect it by smell if the filter has become faulty.

Not all toner comes in sealed cartridges - some machines have refill bottles and we recently had an incident where one was spilt all over the place. Obviously we would like to replace this with a machine with sealed cartridges, but this will take some time.

Jane

Posted By Alan Hoskins
Greater risk from lifting the boxes of paper I suspect...

Alan

Posted By lisa mccaulder
I'm with Amandac. Do an assessment based on the safety data sheet, the type of cartridge in use and the quantity, frequence and duration of exposure.

I agree with most people here that the actual risk is likely to be tiny but you also have to take seriously the concerns of the expectant mother (assuming there is one and that she is concerned). She could be involved in a proper risk assessment exercise and be reassured by that process. She may also accept the outcome more readily and will certainly feel valued and cared for as a result.

Part of ensuring her welfare will be to make certain that she is comfortable with what she is doing and isn't unnecessarily stressed. I would hate to see an employee frightened even if her fears aren't entirely justified. So, after all that, if she really doesn't want to use a photocopier and it isn't an integral part of her job, I would support her.

Posted By Fornhelper
Amandac

If the expectant mother was involved in the manufacturing and filling of toner then I would be very concerned if a full COSHH assessment hadn't been carried out already.

Take your point about not assuming things but we don't always (ever?) get the full info when people post on the forum and assumptions then need to be made in an effort to provide assistance. I think this makes the responses more interesting as we get different slants based on contributors assumptions.

RHOES - on the assumption that the expectant mother is involved in the manufacturing and filling of toner I would advise you carry out a COSHH assessment !! :-)

Regards
FH

Posted By D H
Hi - rather concerned by some of the replies above who keep on about the MSDS sheet.

As I have warned in previous threads - the supplier wil only provide sufficient information on the sheet as to comply with the legislation.

Generally - in my experience - copiers are stuck in a small room with inadequate ventilation.
How long does the copier run for? How long is the person exposed? The longer it runs at a time - the more heat generated - therefore the extra requirement for ventilation and air turn over. And the lomger she is exposed the more likely a possible risk.

How do we know anything is hazardous? Labels, data sheet etc. But what about personal experience?

As the lady goes through the pregnacy everything about her will change - not being disrepectful - but she could be on medication that may affect her tolerance levels. Her hormones will change as maybe her body tolerances.

So - my advice - while the copier exposure may not be harmful to some, it may to this lady. Check the ventilation provided is adequate.

Also review the assessment with the lady concerned at the end of every week and see if there are any problems and act as you see fit.

I wish the lady concerned happy health for her and the baby.
But lets speak to the lady on a regular basis.

A thing to think about - in the works - how many companies employ ladies who may not know even they are pregnant when they are? Are you alraedy doing enough to protect them??

Dave

Posted By Paul Leadbetter
We have still had no response from RHOES to my question on Tuesday about the level of exposure; perhaps we should now pause until we have more information (or at least a response).

Paul