INDG380 TREAD SAFELY - HSE

health hazards
20
Tread safely health hazards
Good housekeeping
You also need to prevent dust from accumulating
on the floor and other surfaces. If dust is allowed
to accumulate it will be disturbed and spread by
draughts or people walking about and could
become airborne again. So clean floors and
surfaces frequently using a dustless method such
as by using a type H industrial vacuum cleaner
fitted with a HEPA filter.
Respiratory protective equipment
(RPE)
In a few situations, like emptying dust collectors or
cleaning out ducts, it may not be possible to
achieve control over respirable dust by LEV
equipment. In these circumstances, provide the
employees at risk with suitable RPE and require
them to wear it. You need to select the right type of
respiratory protection. Disposable dust mask
respirators (FFP2 or FFP3 made to EN 149
standard) are suitable if they are needed only
occasionally and for short durations. They should be
tested for fit to the worker’s face (ask your supplier)
but they do not need maintenance because they
should be thrown away after each use. If a
respirator is needed more frequently or for longer
periods of use then a ventilated visor is a good
choice. Most people find them comfortable to wear.
They do not need to be tested for face fit but do
need to be maintained properly (ask the supplier).
You must also put in place effective arrangements
for storing the RPE when it is not in use, cleaning
and maintaining it, including replacing filters at the
appropriate intervals where necessary. Train
employees how to wear their respirators properly
and how to look after them, and explain what the
equipment will (and will not) protect them against.
Remember:
✔ Control the dust.
✔ Provide LEV equipment.
✔ Maintain the LEV equipment and have it
checked and examined at regular intervals.
✔ Keep the area clean using a dustless method.
✔ Use respirators where dust cannot be
controlled by LEV.
Figure 8 Buffing machine rasp housing fitted with LEV for skiving operation