WORK-RELATED DISEASES COMPLACENCY CULTURE
Solvent-handling practices across UK industry are leaving employees exposed to a number of potential health risks. Tom Sands, Founder and
CEO of Safe Solvents, explains how complacent attitudes are detrimental to the health and safe working practices of industry workers.
With over 100,000 parts washing machines in use across a wide range of UK industries, such as aerospace, automotive and engineering, there is no room for complacency when it comes to safe working practices. While companies strive to be the best they can, workplace dangers and risk will always present a challenge, particularly those that involve chemical hazards. Traditional hydrocarbon- based solvents for example, contain highly toxic chemicals such as Kerosene, Xylene,
and Benzene – each capable of producing a flammable, corrosive or oxidising reaction.
Used to dissolve or dilute substances, such as dirt and grease in a variety of different processes, from cleaning and degreasing, through to paint removal, chemical- solvents have often been viewed as seemingly unavoidable. Indeed, over 200,000 businesses are estimated to make use of one type of degreaser or another. The scale of toxic chemicals currently in use risks perpetuating the culture of complacency that has taken hold in UK industry.
near daily basis. This is often the result of a lack of understanding of the dangers and poor knowledge of the necessary health and safety guidelines. Parts washing in particular is a serious challenge as the use of solvents is often non-core for the end-user and so it is relegated to an afterthought – pushed to the basement of the premises – with very little in the way of an employee-risk assessment, heightening the risk of skin contact or the inhalation of toxic vapours.
There are simple changes that can be made that will benefit the health and safety of employees involved. For example, keeping cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals out of reach in a secure and controlled area could minimise the risk of spillages. While the use of PPE equipment, such as gloves, goggles and face shields, can protect workers from the detrimental health implications of working with unsafe solvents.
“If solvents enter the body or come into contact with skin this
Relying on decades-old parts washing techniques such as ‘sink-on-drum’ or ‘hot-washing’ which require the use of kerosene or detergents exposes workers to unnecessary risks from both the chemicals themselves, and the hot working temperatures.
could lead to irritation of the eyes, through to
skin complaints, such as dermatitis, headache, nausea and light- headedness.”
The implications of using toxic solvents can lead to health implications for workers. Karen McDonnell, Occupational Health & Safety Policy Adviser at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recently commented that, “solvents can, most commonly, enter the body through breathing in vapours and fumes, if they come into contact with skin, or through contaminated work clothes.” This could lead to, “irritation of the eyes, through to skin complaints, such as dermatitis, headache, nausea and light-headedness.”
The problems and risks are endemic. In our line of work, we see poor solvent-handling practices on a
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Safety-minded employers should be looking to eliminate chemical hazards from the workplace by exploring strategically manufactured products, including solvents that are hydrocarbon-free and give off zero toxic vapours. It is essential that businesses make use of whatever means are available to them to mitigate against health and safety risks to
their employees.
Complacency is a trap that is all too easy to fall into, it’s also a trap that continues to pose
an ongoing health risk to the UK’s workers. Respiratory illness, irritation of the eyes and skin, and nausea will continue to disrupt the efficiency of employers using solvents for as long as they are chemical-based.
The culture of complacency can be ended – the solution is to convert working processes to water-based solvents that do not pose the same threat to employees.
www.safesolvents.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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