Rank: Forum user 
|
Good afternoon
I'm looking for some advice please.
I am looking for a suitable cleaning solution for dissolving and removing mastics, adhesives and sealants. This will be used to clean our finished units (holiday homes and lodges) before despatch.
The buying department have been searching all afternoon but they cannot find anything that seems safe to use in a busy factory.
Does anyone use/produce/suggest a suitable cleaner for me to look into?
Thanks very much
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
For what it is worth, it is not so much the chemical but how it is used which determines if it "safe".
For example the removal of Dichloromethane from paint strippers, due to some questionable toxicological results, meant that in some cases now instead of a wet paste used to dissolve lead based paints which is then wiped away and disposed of, these stubborn paints are mechanically removed or burned off creating even greater hazards to the user.
Lesson being, sometimes substitution (although highest on the hierarchy of controls) is not the best solution, and in your case a "non-hazardous" cleaner may not be as "safe" as an apparently "un-safe" one.
Many solvent based sprays may be able to do the job, whilst they may contain hazards, could still be "safe" to use in a factory environment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Meady
There probably no one product that will do it all. There are many different types of sealant, adhesive and mastic. Different types will require different cleaning chemicals. So the first thing I would need to know is what each of these contains, i.e. sight of the safety data sheets. It should then be possible to decide which cleaning product will work with each. However, a word of caution. It is probably that some of the products necessary to have the cleaning effect will have their own hazards which will then require appropriate risk assessment.
If you contact me off the forum with the necessary information I will see what I can do to help.
Chris
chris@enviroderm.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
I think that you misunderstand the principles of COSHH. The aim is not to use “safe substances” but use the best substance that poses the lowest risk to staff by applying a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. It is possible to use really hazardous substances under COSHB as long as suitable controls are applied. Identifying those controls is the key.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Hi thanks for your comments.
We currently use Acetone to remove the sealants and mastics, so I am asking if anyone knows of a less hazardous alternative.
My wording has probably caused some confusion, apologies.
Thanks again
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: New forum user
|
Hi have you looked at using a small amount of veg oil on a soft rag,
Beaks down most mastics great for giving a smooth mastic seal finish round a bath or kitchen install and for hard areas use a square soft pencil rubber both prevent scratching the surface have little or no harm and wash off easily.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Good afternoon All,
Meady, a different approach, I would suggest giving SYPOL (ALCUMS Group a call 01296 678464) requesting to speak to one of the Chemical engineers, they have over 100 00 products on record and in my professional opinion are the leaders for COSHH data, even though you might not belong to them I am sure they will go the extra mile
Regards
Zane
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.