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paul reynolds  
#1 Posted : 09 May 2017 06:55:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
paul reynolds

Have a situation where cavity wall extraction was taking place (removal of Urea Formaldehyde Foam) and during the process particles were blown back in to the property via an old tumble dryer vent that had not been closed off internally and not visable..

Question is would this be reportable under Reg 27 Hazardous escapes of substances (The unintenional release or escape of any substance which could cause personal injury to any person) seems a bit wooly as this could end up in many RIDDOR reports for exposure that may cause injury.

The reason for asking is that all the research I have found on this productly seems to indiacte that whilst it can give off formaldehyde gas, it is only for a short initail period and this insulation has been in the cavity in excess of 20 years. In addition the tenant now states that he has mediacl evidence that the dust form this is now on his lungs but the research does not state if the material is found to be harmful.

Your comments will be appreciated as I am happy to report but only of required by the regualtions

Regards

Edited by user 09 May 2017 06:58:55(UTC)  | Reason: spell checked

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 09 May 2017 08:50:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

I would not bother. The wording is woolly and it depends on the attitude of the HSE person at the other end reviewing the RIDDOR report. Once someone dropped a single ampoule (about 20 ml) of dioxins in a lab and being good boys and girls we reported it as a RIDDOR. An inspector got back and asked us why we were bothering him with such a tiny amount. “We are only interested in a tonne or more” he said. I pointed out that the amount contained enough dioxin to kill a dozen people (in theory) he suddenly back tracked and said he would send someone over.  They came and looked, shrugged their shoulders and left. Totally pointless exercise. (This was just before they introduced Fee-for-Intervention).

As you as you said there will not be any residual formaldehyde but the levels of dust could be around “the 10 mg m-3 of any inhalable dust; or 4 mg m-3, of any respirable dust (my emphasis)”, in the definition of Hazardous Substance in COSHH reg 2. I don’t think they expect exposure to any of these dust levels to be reported under RIDDOR or a lot of building sites etc. would be in trouble.

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