HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE


FEATURE


that they understand how to use LEV systems and equipment and how to reduce the risk to themselves by being able to identify when systems are not working effectively and acting accordingly is also important. In line with the COSHH Regulations, LEV systems should


also be tested at least once every 14 months to ensure they remain effective. Workers should also be provided with effective personal


and respiratory protective equipment, which should be suitable and fitted for the individual. The importance of the use of PPE and RPE needs to be explained and then supervised as workers are more likely to wear it if they understand why they need it and it is comfortable. Health surveillance may also be considered when there is


a disease associated with the substance in use and it is possible to detect the disease or adverse changes and reduce the risk of further harm. Simple measures can be very effective. One of the


leading causes of occupational asthma is exposure to isocyanates, chemicals that can be found in paints that are used in vehicle repairs. A four-year project involving representatives from across the vehicle repair industry and HSE identified new, practical ways of training workers. These helped reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals


among the 12,000 workers in the industry by taking simple steps such as demonstrating how to use a spray booth properly. Since the intervention, biomonitoring of workers has increased and exposure levels remain lower, demonstrating an improvement in exposure control. With a greater level of understanding of the potential


harm to health that can be caused and the simple steps that can be taken to eliminate or reduce those risks, nobody should suffer. Employers within the manufacturing industry should be evaluating their efforts to ensure their staff are safe.


Tony Bosworth, Operations Director, Impact Technical Services


Details of the Breathe Freely campaign can be found at breathefreely.org.uk


business network October 2018


61


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84