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#1 Posted : 19 July 2006 13:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By halesowen Baggie We have a product that comes to us in powder form and when being used creates a dust. The product is 75% silica (not crystalline). The MSDS states the product as non hazardous, but silica dust has a WEL of 0.08 mg.m3 twa 8 hour. Is silica listed in the approved supply list and if so why hasnt the packaging got a orange square as required by CHIP? Is it because the dust is created at the workplace?
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#2 Posted : 19 July 2006 13:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter Paul Even if the silica is non-crystalline, both amorphous and fused silica have WELs and so COSHH applies. Is the MSDS non-UK? Paul
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#3 Posted : 19 July 2006 13:45:00(UTC)
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Posted By halesowen Baggie Paul Its UK Paul
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#4 Posted : 19 July 2006 14:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter Paul I may be going mad but I can't find silica in the ASL so that is probably why the MSDS says it is non-hazardous! It just goes to show that CHIP MSDSs do not necessarily tell you all you need to know for COSHH purposes. However, assuming that you are using amorphous or fused silica, as these have a WEL then COSHH applies. Particle size is important, of course; is the silica inhalable or respirable? If not, it is much less of a problem. Paul
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#5 Posted : 19 July 2006 15:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By AJM Paul, I have had a lot of experience in auditing MSDS i did a lot for my last company and it threw up a lot of issues like this I even went into it so far some of the companies had done the same as you say and mentioned substances with WEL's and called them non hazardous and had no mention of the WEL's but when questioned i actually got them to change their MSDS sheets it was something they had missed I know i found this unbelievable but it is something always to bare in mind and illustrates the importance of a good audit of all MSDS sheets. Alan
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