Posted By Robert K Lewis I presume this dust is gypsum dust, or similar non-flammable product. If you go down a coal mine you will find shelves of dust almost everywhere - This is not bad housekeeping but material placed there to act as a fire suppressant to prevent a secondary coal dust explosion, the inert dust dilutes the coal dust in air and thus prevents explosive ignition. Your dust is likely to be inert and thus not a DSEAR risk. It is however a health risk and must be reduced for that reason alone. Your control measures are inadequate and you are potentially in breach of your COSHH duties but not any u nder DSEAR> Bob

Posted By CFT Peter As DSEAR specifically relates to 'dangerous substances' & anything potentially explosive within any atmosphere, I can't for the life of me imagine why plaster residue in powdered form would be capable of either. Of course under DSEAR you have a duty to establish what fire and explosive risks you have in the workplace; I suppose with some artistic licence the dust (if in a sufficient concentration) 'may' (and this is such a long-shot) contaminate electrical circuitry causing a potential electrical fire; it would however be the electrical equipment that would have been at fault for not having an appropriate level of protection specific to this atmosphere. If you look at '2' under the following link you will get a better idea. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022776.htm#2 It is simply put, not a dangerous substance when balanced against DSEAR; yes, it is potentially dangerous as are thousands of products but not (IMPO) in relation to DSEAR, I don't see it under CHIP either and both are linked. Respiratory yes, so look at your LEV, COSHH yes because longer term skin contact will likely have issues. MH? Again yes for assessment purposes. DSEAR? No, not on this occasion. I have worked with plasters many times over the years, and whenever I have seen internal plastering taking place even with 20 plus operatives working there has been no LEV (when did you last see it installed for pre plastering in a commercial building?)and very little atmospheric dust to speak of; they all have masks on and appropriate PPE, personally I have never ever considered plaster dust to be a potentially volatile product that needs to be addressed by DSEAR. CFT

Posted By Peter Farrell Thanks very much for the straight answers, I have never used the members forum before, but will do in the future.

Posted By IOSH Moderator Peter This thread has been moved to discussion as the forum member area is specifically available for the discussion of issues related to IOSH business, membership structure, and practitioner competence. Many thanks Mike IOSH Moderator