Site Work General COSHH Assessments Prepared by Nick Brion Complete Health & Safety Ltd Document Number: 312(3b) - December 2008 Reviewed Feb 2010 by MJE Reviewed May 2011 by MJE Reviewed October 2012 by NB Reviewed October 2013 by NB Reviewed November 2014 by NB Reviewed November 2015 by NB To be reviewed before end November 2016 Principal House Parsonage Business Park Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4AL
Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 3 1.1 Handling and Use of Hazardous Substance... 3 1.2... 3 1.3 Storage Requirements / First Aid Measures / Spillages etc... 3 1.4 General... 3 2 COSHH Assessments... 4 2.1 General Dust... 4 2.2 Silica Dust... 4 2.3 Wood Dust... 5 2.4 Cement Based Products... 5 2.5 Plaster/Gypsum Based Products... 6 2.6 Solvent Based Finishes/Paints... 6 2.7 Paint Cleaners / Thinners (ie White Spirit / Turpentine / Meths)... 7 2.8 Solid Lead Work... 7 2.9 Lead Welding... 8 2.10 Bituminous Mastics... 8 2.11 General Silicone Sealants... 9 3 Safety Da Sheets Attachments... 10 312(3b) Page 2
1 Introduction The Coshh Assessments included in this document rele to the storage and handling of substances which are considered hazardous to health under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulions 2002. Coshh Assessments have therefore been undertaken on products which have a hazard label tached to its container or have a recognised Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL). 1.1 Handling and Use of Hazardous Substance Refer to enclosed COSHH assessments. These identify the company specific s and control measures associed with the use/handling of the hazardous substance. If a substance is used which is not designed as hazardous, operives are encouraged to read the label on the container for advice on storing and handling the substance, and relevant first aid or emergency procedures. 1.2 For each substance the levels associed with eye contact, skin contact, inhalion and ingestion are displayed in the COSHH tables. L stands for Low, M stands for Medium and H stands for High. These are the estimed levels without any control measures in place. 1.3 Storage Requirements / First Aid Measures / Spillages etc Refer to tached da sheets for general informion about first aid measures etc. 1.4 General No hazardous substances should be allowed to enter drains or the wer-course. Keep away from foodstuffs, beverages and feed. Wash skin with soap and wer after any direct contact. Avoid smoking during use. Avoid contact with eyes and skin and maintain a good standard of personal hygiene before breaks and the end of work. 312(3b) Page 3
2 COSHH Assessments 2.1 General Dust Demolition, dismantling, cutting, finishing operions etc Method of Exposure Airborne dust Frequency and durion of exposure Up to 8 hours per day Site operives, visitors Irrition of eyes Dry skin leading to irrition following prolonged contact (Minimal effect) Short term irrition to respirory system M L M L Work in ventiled area; Minimise dust formion. If dust cannot be controlled - wear a half face mask to EN 149 CLASS FFP3 Where there is a of dust getting into eyes, safety goggles to BS EN 166 should be worn. Dust levels may have to be monitored. Dust to be removed by damping down of vacuum cleaner, not by sweeping 2.2 Silica Dust Any activity where Silica dust is creed (ie Cutting concrete slabs/tiles/bricks and working with sand Mixing, cutting, drilling etc How often used durion) Any durion Operive and anyone in immedie vicinity Designed Harmful Airborne dust consists predominely of free crystalline silica. Irriting to the respirory system with possible of irreversible effects can lead to Silicosis. May cause skin irrition due to abrasive nure WELs: Crystalline silica : 0.1 mgm-3 respirable dust 8hr TWA Nuisance dust : 10 mgm-3 8hr TWA total inhalable dust; 5 mgm-3 8hr TWA respirable dust M M H L Minimise dust formion by wet cutting techniques or use of proprietary dust extraction system. Ideally wet cutting systems should be mains fed or using stirrup pump with wer continually refilled/pressurised. Wear a face mask to EN 149 CLASS FFP3 note th operives need to be clean shaven and have undertaken face fit testing and training (Operive with facial hair will be required to wear air fed masks) Compliance with HSE COSHH Essentials CN Series Other controls as for General Dust Possible health surveillance for operives who have regular exposure to Silica Dust 312(3) Page 4
2.3 Wood Dust Preparing timber products Cutting, drilling, sawing, sanding etc How often used durion) Could be up to 8 hours per day Operive and anyone in immedie vicinity Irrition to eyes, skin, respirory system could lead to asthma Possible carcinogen could lead to cancer of the nose M L H L Work in ventiled area; Minimise dust formion. Use extraction systems on equipment. If dust cannot be controlled - wear a half face mask to EN 149 CLASS FFP3 Vacuum up dust do not sweep unless dust has been damped down Use a barrier cream to reduce contact with skin. If the formion of wood dust are likely to occur, safety goggles to BS EN 166 2A% should be worn. Dust levels may have to be monitored. 2.4 Cement Based Products Transport, mixing, handling and applicion of substance; Method of Exposure Contact with substance in liquid form; Airborne dust Frequency and durion of exposure Mixing and handling up to 8 hours per day Operor and any persons in close proximity of applicion Designed Irritant Contact with eyes -soreness; chemical burning; ulcerion Contact with skin (powder or mixed) - dermitis; allergic dermitis; burns Ingestion - large doses could lead to irrition of the gastro intestinal tract Respirory tract - Inflammion of mucous membranes; coughing; rhinitis H H M L Work in ventiled area Wear respirory protection when dust is in the air (ie handling & mixing) Wear protective clothing Wear impermeable gloves when handling, mixing or applying substance Wear suitable eye protection when mixing or when there is a of splashes going into the eyes Wash hands immediely with soap and wer if skin becomes contamined Remove contamined clothing immediely 312(3) Page 5
2.5 Plaster/Gypsum Based Products Transport, mixing and handling of substance; Use for plastering walls, drylining etc Method of Exposure Contact with substance in liquid form; Airborne dust Frequency and durion of exposure Mixing and handling up to 8 hours per day 2.6 Solvent Based Finishes/Paints Operor and any persons in close proximity of applicion Plaster may produce an alkaline solution on contact with body moistures or when mixed with wer, which may cause irrition or inflammion. Dust from mixing or sanding may irrite the respirory system, skin and eyes. M M M L Control airborne dust formion and ventile the area of work. If dust cannot be controlled wear a half face mask to EN 149 Class FFP1 To avoid prolonged or repeed wet contact, wear impermeable gloves To avoid skin contact, wear protective overalls To reduce the effect of skin contact, apply a barrier cream to the hands. If plaster powder or splashes are likely wear safety goggles to BS EN 166. Wash hands immediely with soap and wer if skin becomes contamined Remove contamined clothing immediely Transport and handling of substance; Applicion of paint/finish onto prepared surfaces Method of Exposure Normally applied by brush; Can be sprayed Frequency and durion of exposure Mixing and handling up to 8 hours per day Operor and any persons in close proximity of applicion Designed Flammable; Irritant; Harmful to aquic organisms; May produce allergic reaction Over exposure to vapours is likely to be irriting to eyes and respirory system. Excessive concentrions may produce effects on central nervous system including drowsiness in extreme cases there could be loss of consciousness. Long term exposure in excess of WEL may result in adverse health affects. Splashes in the eyes will cause discomfort and possible damage. H M H L No smoking & keep away from other ignition sources Ventilion - Avoid inhalion of vapours Ensure concentrion remains below WEL Wear suitable respirory equipment if concentrion exceeds WEL. Wear suitable gloves during handling. Wear eye protection when used overhead or when there is a of splashing into eyes Keep containers closed when not in use. Training & Instruction 312(3) Page 6
Prolonged contact with skin will have a de-fting effect which may lead to skin irrition and possible dermitis. 2.7 Paint Cleaners / Thinners (ie White Spirit / Turpentine / Meths) Cleaning paint brushes Brushed dipped and wiped How often used durion) Few minutes a time, typically once a day Operive Designed Flammable; Irritant; Degreasant As for solvent based paint M M M L No smoking & keep away from other ignition sources Ventilion - Avoid inhalion of vapours Wear suitable impervious gloves during handling for longer periods. Wash skin immediely with soap and wer if substance makes contact with skin Keep containers closed when not in use Safe system of work 2.8 Solid Lead Work Working with solid lead sheet Lead physically handled How often used durion) Handling up to 8 hours per day as required Operive Lead is a toxic metal In extreme cases, excessive exposure will lead to a build up of lead in the body, and in extreme cases may affect the kidney function, reproductive capacity, digestive and nervous systems L L L M Avoid prolonged contact with skin Wear impermeable, disposable gloves Wash hands thoroughly with soap and wer immediely after contact Thorough hygiene procedures required to prevent lead particles being ingested/ inhaled Do not e, drink, smoke while working with lead Do not rub down this will cree lead dust which can be inhaled Operive who frequently handle lead should have regular blood tests to check th the levels of lead in the blood are below the regulory limits Promptly remove any impervious clothes 312(3) Page 7
th have become contamined. Keep lead dry when working with the product. Keep substance away from oxidising agents. 2.9 Lead Welding Welding lead Welding How often used durion) Welding up to a few hours per day Operive, others in vicinity Lead is a toxic metal In extreme cases, excessive exposure to airborne lead fumes will lead to a build up of lead in the body, and in extreme cases may affect the kidney function, reproductive capacity, digestive and nervous systems L L L M Working areas should have sufficient ventilion. In poorly ventiled areas, wear suitable mask to prevent inhalion of dust and lead vapours (ie FFP2 mask). Other controls for handling lead as above 2.10 Bituminous Mastics Applying bituminous mastics Using applicor How often used durion) Applied up to several hours a time, when required Operive Designed Flammable Repeed exposure may cause skin dryness and cracking Dangerous to the aquic environment Limited evidence of carcinogenic effect L L L L Work in ventiled area Wear face mask with organic filter in confined, poorly ventiled areas Avoid contact with skin Wear impermeable nitrile gloves when there is a of contact with skin Wash hands immediely if skin becomes contamined Keep away from he and ignition sources Do not dispose down drains or wer courses 312(3) Page 8
2.11 General Silicone Sealants Applying sealant Using applicor How often used durion) Applied up to several hours a time, when required Operive Slightly irriting to eyes, respirory system and skin May impair fertility L L L L Work in ventiled area Avoid contact with skin Wear impermeable gloves when there is a of contact with skin Wash hands immediely if skin becomes contamined 312(3) Page 9
Berice Property COSHH Assessments 3 Safety Da Sheets Attachments 27/01/16 Page 10