Rank: New forum user 
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Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice, we have recently had a Homag Optimat edge banding machine installed and we have begun using a new PUR hot melt glue - Rakoll 450 PUS R UV. This glue has various warning labels but the main warning states - Suspected of Causing Cancer. Our machine is located in a wide open area of the factory however there is no freeflowing air, and the glue pot is located near the front of the machine, now I have as a temporary measure provided staff with safety goggles, gloves and half mask respirators. I am looking at installing extraction above the glue pot but looking for advice from anyone who may already have a vapour extraction system in place and what steps they have taken.
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Rank: Forum user
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Following your risk assessment if the product cannot be susbtituted for something safer then COSHH 2002 states:
"Where the health effects arising from exposure are more serious, such as cancer or asthma, then there needs to be a high standard of control. The extent to which employers should reduce exposure below the WEL depends on the degree of risk presented by the substance, weighed against the cost and effort involved in taking measures to reduce the risk. Employers should continue to reduce exposure to ALARP. This means improving control until the cost of further reduction in exposure becomes grossly disproportionate when weighed against the benefit gained."
What you are doing sounds like a start, but it might be worth getting some specialist advice in to advise you further. Without seeing the process first hand it would be remiss to say otherwise.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You really need a good look at what you are using and as suggested you might need some specialist help. I am not familiar with product but you need to be clear what the risk from this substance is, as it is used in the machine. I am assuming it is hot when being applied. The term carcinogen covers a number of levels of risk. Essentially there are three classes of carcinogen: those that MIGHT cause cancer, those that COULD cause cancer and those that WILL cause cancer and they should be controlled accordingly. A half face mask is low on the hierarchy of controls and you really need to look at things like isolating the process or using LEV. Of course the face masks require face fit testing to make sure that they are likely to work with your staff.
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