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Sharon Wooller  
#1 Posted : 10 June 2019 13:04:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Sharon Wooller

Afternoon everyone - hoping someone can help me out with this query.

We can create mixtures from up to 5 different substances.  My query is do we need to assess the mixture when each individual substance is added or can we just assess the final 'end product'

ttxela  
#2 Posted : 10 June 2019 13:31:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ttxela

Originally Posted by: Sharon Wooller Go to Quoted Post

Afternoon everyone - hoping someone can help me out with this query.

We can create mixtures from up to 5 different substances.  My query is do we need to assess the mixture when each individual substance is added or can we just assess the final 'end product'

I'd say assess the process as a whole, you'd certainly need to assess the risk of intermediate material prior to the mixing process being complete - particularly if it existis in partially mixed form for any length of time. For instance if you are mixing things together to produce a concentrate then diluting it to a final product the hazards of the concentrate may be substantially different to your final material.

chris.packham  
#3 Posted : 10 June 2019 14:29:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

I would suggest you may need to go further than that. If you are merely interested in the finished mixture, for example for a safety data sheet, then well and good. However, if you are concerned with assessing the hazard when the mixture is then used you should consider what changes can take place when it is used and the effect that this can have on the hazard. This is reflected in the HSE's ACoP for COSHH which states:

Paragraph 10 - Employers should regard a substance as hazardous to health if it is hazardous in the form in which it may occur in the work activity. A substance hazardous to health need not be just a chemical compound, it can also include mixtures of compounds, micro-organisms or natural materials, such as flour, stone or wood dust.

Chemicals may be contaminated, reacted, heated, mixed during use in a task, etc., etc.

Chris

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