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#1 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:29:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte Is it? Isn't it? thats the current discussion our office is having with relation to COSHH assessments and MMMF Obviously COSHH in 99% of its daily use is geared towards preventing chemical exposure, however it does have it use in preventing exposure to solids, some times even inert materials. Some ceramic fibres may have the potential for classification as cat 2 carcinogens, asbestos is obviously covered under separate legislation, but where would you stand with other fibres which may not have an exposure limit or chronic health effect. If there is a health effect, be it only localised irritation, should a COSHH assessment be used to document how this is controlled and minimised, drawing attention to symptoms of fibres being embedded in to the skin, I believe so, however this isnt the view of every one so I would be interested to hear opinions. Regards Des
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#2 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:42:00(UTC)
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Posted By Flic I would say yes. Get hold of a copy of EH46 if you can. It is getting a bit old, and I suspect that the exposure limits to the fibres are out of date, but it has some useful information regarding typical fibre releases from various work activities done with the material. Flic
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#3 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:42:00(UTC)
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Posted By peter gotch Des COSHH applies, inter alia, any substance such as MMMFs for which HSE has approved a workplace exposure limit. So definitely, yes! P
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#4 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mervyn Rodgers Hi Des Many years ago when I worked in the textile industry the HSE took the view that we should assess the cotton fibres that were in the air as it was covered by the Dust part of COSHH and also the "any substance which may have a comparable health hazard to any of the above". Cotton fibre was not thought to have any health effects at that time but the concentration was high. My view is, that if you do not know what it is doing then it is best to protect against it. Mervyn
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#5 Posted : 30 March 2009 14:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Chris Packham "(e) which, not being a substance falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (d), because of its chemical or toxicological properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk to health" COSHH, Regulation 2(1) In otherwords, almost anything can be a substance dangerous to health according to COSHH. Does it fit with this? If so then a risk assessment (and possibly risk management) may be needed. Chris
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#6 Posted : 30 March 2009 14:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter MMMF have a WEL so inhalation exposures must be controlled; that doesn't mean the other effects can be ignored. See the principles of control, Schedule 2A, to the Regs. Paul
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