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Printer, Copier, Fax and Email Machine all in one quetsion
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lewis_ward  
#1 Posted : 27 August 2013 15:22:37(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lewis_ward
Hi All,

I know it may be a daft question but in the office we have a machine that prints, copies, faxes and emails.

We have a pregnant employee who sits in close proximity of it and was wondering what risks they face in the sense of;

A) Radiation
B) Fumes
C) Any other risks it may pose

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Lewis
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DaveDowan  
#2 Posted : 27 August 2013 16:11:57(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DaveDowan
Hi Lewis
Not knowing the make etc. It is impossible to say , My advice is to look at the manufacturers information as a starting point.
Regards Dave
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Nicola Kemmery  
#3 Posted : 27 August 2013 17:39:35(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Nicola Kemmery
I might be making it up - but I think one of the risks from copiers is Ozone. I know that they should be in well ventilated areas as they also generate heat and can be nuisance noise for office workers.
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Jane Blunt  
#4 Posted : 27 August 2013 20:30:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt
Nicola Kemmery wrote:
I might be making it up - but I think one of the risks from copiers is Ozone. I know that they should be in well ventilated areas as they also generate heat and can be nuisance noise for office workers.


It is indeed, but they are fitted with filters. Ours only kick out significant quantities of ozone if they are faulty, whereupon you get them serviced. Luckily you can smell it and you can also get semi-quantitative detector patches if you want reassurance.
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bob youel  
#5 Posted : 28 August 2013 07:12:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bob youel
The lady faces far more risks when she stands at the side of the road ready to cross it/ as she crosses a road and even more if she drives than sitting where she is - so try to get the lady to put risk into perspective and wish her all the best with her child
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IanDakin  
#6 Posted : 28 August 2013 09:09:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
IanDakin
Hi Lewis

It is unlikely there are any risk from radiation or fumes. However, issues like noise or constant interruptions may be a stress factor.

Check with the manufacturer regarding this.

Also, go through the HSE New and Expectant Mothers material to see if you have everything covered off - in particular, make sure any concerns are recorded and controlled in the risk assessment.

Here is the link - http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/

Ian
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Clairel  
#7 Posted : 28 August 2013 12:32:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel
Whilst I appreciate that pregnant women should not be exposed to certain risks that could harm an unborn baby, I do despair at this mollycoddling of pregnant women.
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A Kurdziel  
#8 Posted : 28 August 2013 13:58:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel
We once spent weeks monitoring a group of people sharing an office with a photocopier/printer/fax machine and they were convinced that their symptoms, headaches, etc were caused by ozone from the machine. We found no evidence of ozone. It was then established that the symptoms that every one was complaining about came about due to the odious manager they worked for. So I’ve never come across any risks from such work equipment apart from the stress/noise issues mentioned earlier.
PS Radiation was mentioned as a possible risk- where might this radiation be coming from and what sort of radiation might it be?
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Mr.Flibble  
#9 Posted : 28 August 2013 14:34:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mr.Flibble
quote=A Kurdziel]PS Radiation was mentioned as a possible risk- where might this radiation be coming from and what sort of radiation might it be?


This is the old 1970's throw back where they scared pregnant women into thinking computer screens emit enough radiation to harm their baby! the amount of people that still believe this is shocking! You get a little non-ionising electromagnetic radiation but not enough to do anyone any harm!
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Jane Blunt  
#10 Posted : 28 August 2013 14:58:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt
Mr.Flibble wrote:

This is the old 1970's throw back where they scared pregnant women into thinking computer screens emit enough radiation to harm their baby! the amount of people that still believe this is shocking! You get a little non-ionising electromagnetic radiation but not enough to do anyone any harm!


There was some basis for the concern. The cathode ray tube (CRT) in televisions and computers at that time was capable of emitting X-rays. I believe the glass in the common CRT contains a very high proportion of lead in order to stop this radiation. There was certainly a Federal Standard in the US on the maximum dose permitted to exit a TV set.

The flat screen TV and computer monitor are a completely different technology and do not emit X-rays.

Laser printers contain ..... lasers. They are completely enclosed and unless you attack the printer with a screwdriver, you won't get at them.
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Kate  
#11 Posted : 28 August 2013 15:27:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate
I recommend Ken MacLeod's satirical science fiction novel "Intrusion". In the near future, women are banned from most workplaces on the pretext of completely imaginary risks to their possibly conceived foetuses.
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