Afternoon all,

Some engineers are brazing copper pipe, using lead free solder. The link below is for the SDS.

https://ulmysds.com/Admin/ViewDocument.aspx?ID=d07188b5-cd64-4bb9-a797-3136331ad6c0&primaryReportId=0

RPE wise, would you recomend this? Or would you say just some local fume extraction? 

Those that use this are plumbers.

Go on, really curious how a plumber would utilise fume extraction on site?

So we then consider the locations where brazing could occur within a property - if the plumber needs RPE what about those in the vicinity?

Opening windows and doors to create a through draft or even forcing air movement with a fan is probaby the closest practicable control.

JK - are these engineers/plumbers your own employees or working for a Contractor.

If working for a Contractor why not ask the Contractor for their risk (including COSHH) assessments.

First port of call is the hierarchy of control measures aka General Principles of Prevention in which the local exhaust ventilation you refer to is to be preferred to needing RPE.

But better still would be not to be doing the brazing in the first place.

When I joined the HSE there was a Guidance Note on the safeguarding of pipe threading machines. Even then brazing and welding of plumbing connections was going out of fashion. These days pipe threading machines are rare as most connections are e.g. compression fittings.

So, question 1 - why the need to be brazing? If there is a genuine need then........

Question 2 - where, and how much? - this gives you an indication of levels of exposure both in terms of acute exposure and what someone gets in the course of a shift. Exposure is going to be far higher in e.g. some underground space with not much room and not much natural ventilation than in another room, and even more higher than if the work is done in the open.

If it is in a cramped location, then you might be wishing to look back in time to find out why the facility was not designed for work to be done more safely. CDM Designer duties and such like.

Once you have the answer to Q2, then you can look at appropriate mitigations. 

Lead free solder: https://www.screwfix.com/p/fernox-solder-wire-lead-free-500g/77198

The flux: http://file:///C:/Users/JamesKirman/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/NWBPS943/Laco_Flux_Paste_MSDS.pdf

They do use other methods for joining pipe etc. But they do this occasionally.

Without any data which shows how much they are actually exposed to on a single use. I feel i would be better to use something to protect them in the first place.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.