Hi, I require some help please. We operate an old swimming pool at one of our outdoor centers. The disinfection takes place daily by the addition of Calcium Hypochlorite Granules (approx 1lb applied daily). I have used coshh essentials to do the assessment and whilst it tells me to wear gloves and use in a well ventilated room (already taking these precautions) it does not mention respiratory protection. Yesterday when our maintenance man went to do the dosing he opened the drum of granules and a plume of chlorine gas hit him in the face (it wasn't that dramatic but I can't think of other words!). This has never happened before and we think there must have been some moisture ingress into the drum which caused a reaction resulting in the release of chlorine. My question is - should we be issuing him with a face mask and if so what type? Any help will be gratefully received. Thanks Christine

Ignorance is bliss - aka not having the correct and current EU / UK Safety Data Sheet compiled under the REACH and CLP regulations (EC 1907/2006 & EC 1272/2008) preferably in EU 2015/830 format but at a pinch EU 453/2010 (until 31st May 2017). The US enacted in a very short time frame HazCom 2012 BUT this is to an earlier version of the GHS compared to Europe and only fully enforceable from 31st December 2016. TOO much of the European supply chain is dragging its heels in being legally compliant to the regulations in force since June 2013. Then there are the national issues to consider- differing ideas dependent upon where in the world you are as evidenced in the gestis database: http://www.dguv.de/ifa/G...mical-agents/index-2.jsp The emission of gas from the drum indicates poor working practice e.g. splashes on the underside of a scoop from rushed transfer or a scoop left in a position in which it becomes moist. Try switching practice so that a dry transfer scoop is kept in the sealed drum and never left in a position where it can become wet.

Big fat dyslexic fingers again - 2015 before anyone pulls me up about 2013 - CHiP withdrawn and CLP enforceable for substances and mixtures

Hi Christine, Are you hand dosing? That does sound like an old swimming pool. I have never seen RPE used in such circumstances. Change the drum or method of storage perhaps? Kind regards, Pete

Christine, it sounds as if your supply has been contaminated with an acidic or a dry chemical & water, hence the chlorine release. I assume that you have had a look at HSG179 & its recommendations on respirators (S329)? We have recently carried out a full review of disinfecting with Calcium Hypochlorite & the MSDS from the supplier does recommend "breathing filter apparatus" for "brief or low pollution". HSG179 also recommends providing precautions against exposure to toxic gases. In a nutshell, we have, after extensive consultation with RPE experts, decided to provide FFP3 particulate masks for when dosing occurs & emergency BA equipment should there be an accidental chemical release. I hope this helps.

Sounds silly, but I experienced a similar problem with gases being created in a water and air tight container. Was absolutely no way it could happen. Was only the fact I happened to notice the operation of adding the chemical to the acid baths, the operator was using a small plastic shovel, taking the power from the barrel and pouring into the acid. Shovel got wet and he continued to dig out the chemical all the time dripping wet/acid into the barrel. Of course when the lid is on there is no release of the built up gas until reopened. He honestly could not see the obvious error in his practice Are you clear that this is not happening in your case?

Just been talking with an ex-colleague who reminded me that one of our co-workers regularly had "incidents"with passive dosing systems. When our employer investigated they found that despite training in the manufacturer instructions to drain the liquid level in the reservoir to eliminate splashes this was ignored so as to save some time - result a wet scoop went back in to the drum and at the next dosing a gassing.