Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Tina Hansen
Hello,
I have reading through numerous MSDSs' lately and looking at the PPE requirement section. An MSDS for spray paint, for example, states that safety glasses, solvent resistent gloves, and anti-static work clothing should be worn. I rang the supplier of the product and asked if he could recommend appropriate PPE for this product. He then asked me why I was looking for PPE for spray paint and I mentioned to him that it was written on his MSDS sheet. Do most facilities follow the PPE requirements written on the MSDS or are they primarily disregarded? Are they supposed to? And if the task is only occasionally performed (3 hours per month), would these rules still potentially be required or are the MSDS normally based on full-time work with that particular chemical? Finally, are the aromatic or aliphatic properties of a solvent something that we need to be consider prior to selecting the material for a pair of gloves? To date, I have not seen this charactiteristic written on any MSDS or is it assumed to be aliphatic if it is not written? None of my substances are "pure", so if their are 6 aliphatic and 1 aromatic substance in this product, what would this be considered?
I have probably complicated a very simple process, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Tina
In an ideal world, the MSDS would tell you what you want to know and you would be able to follow the advice given. However, many MSDSs are exercises in tail covering and do not provide information readily comprehensible to end-users of the substances concerned!
Whether you follow the advice on the MSDS is a matter of risk assessment. Depending on the substances in question, it may be acceptable to work unprotected for a short time. However, some substances, such as isocyanates, should never be sprayed without the right PPE.
Choosing gloves that give adequate protection against a material which contains a number of solvents is difficult as most gloves do not protect equally well against all organic liquids. Rather than talking to the material supplier, you should talk to glove suppliers as they all have technical departments who are there to help.
Whether a substance is aliphatic or aromatic cannot be answered easily by a non-specialist and, if you do not have access to a chemist, you should ask your paint supplier for help.
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Descarte
Time for a COSHH assessment?
This should address any exposure and PPE requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi Tina
An MSDS will only tell you what the various hazardous properties of a substance are! It will indicate what should be considered to provide adequate protection but cannot specify exactly as the substance manufacturer has no knowledge nor control over the circumstances of interaction with their substance.
The activity controller must do suitable CoSHH RA's and identify the most effective and appropriate control measures that don't require PPE before even thinking about any PPE specification to control whatever cannot be effectively controlled by any other means.
If you do decide to supply PPE or RPE, may I mosT respectfully suggest that you involve someone with the competence [like me] to determine all of the necessary issues surrounding the use etc of that PPE or RPE?
Frank Hallett CFIOSH
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Coshh Assessor
Have a look at the PPE section on an MSDS for sodium chloride (common salt). You'll find it says you have to get fully kitted up to handle it. The PPE section of MSDS is next to useless in my experience - it is based on the worst-case scenario and is unlikely to reflect the way in which you are using the material. The PPE you need depends on the quantities and the process as well as the substance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Packham
Remember that MSDS are provided according to CHIP. The ACoP for COSHH actually states that a CHIP MSDS may not be adequate for a COSHH assessment!
What the supplier should be providing you with is information to comply with section 6(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, ie information so that you can use the product safely for the purpose for which it was supplied. This is a very different requirement. In my experience most chemicals suppliers are unaware of this and assume that merely supplying a CHIP MSDS is enough. They are not meeting their legal duties under the Act!
Selecting the right glove is not easy. Manufacturers' performance data may not be relevant. It is provided to comply with EN374, and this standard tests the gloves (a)under laboratory conditions and (b) at the wrong temperature. Some time ago I did a study with a UK university testing gloves under actual working conditions. The results bore no resemblance to the published performance data! If you are dealing with mixtures, then it becomes even more complex. Most performance data is for a single substance. Mixtures can behave quite differently. If you need to know more about gloves and chemicals, the "bible" is Protective Gloves for Occupational Use (CRC Press, ISBN 0-8493-1558-1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.