HealtH & Safety
keep it clean!
The importance of compliance, cleanliness and safety in industrial workplaces is critical. MEWA UK country manager, Günes Yenen looks at how something as simple as your choice of cleaning wipes can improve hazardous waste management and health and safety in your workplace, with the added benefit of being better for the environment too.
M
any say that cleanliness is a sign of perfect standards in the workplace and in particular, on a factory floor or
in a workshop. a clean working environment is conducive to productivity, quality assurance and the wellbeing of employees. a wide range of fluids, such as oil, other lubricants and hydraulic fluids, are employed in industrial environments and leaks and spills onto floors and surfaces are therefore a regular occurrence. this can create further issues as workers tread in the spillage and spread the liquid into other areas. keeping such areas clean, safe and compliant can be a challenge.
HEAlTH, sAfETY & coMpliAncE ill health and work-related injuries cost the British economy £16 billion over 2019-20201.
every year thousands of accidents and cases of ill health are reported from activities at industrial and commercial facilities and Health and Safety executive (HSe) figures show that around one sixth of accidents in Uk workplaces arise from slips, trips or falls. these may sound relatively innocuous but can result in serious injuries meaning long absences for employees affected. another significant source of ill health in industrial settings can arise from exposure to hazardous materials such as metalworking fluids, solvents and degreasers, as well as additives and contaminants such as metal fines. these can affect skin and respiratory health, with common occupational diseases associated with such hazardous materials including dermatitis and asthma. employers are typically required to ensure, as
far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees as mandated by the Health and Safety at Work act. companies must assess any potential risks to the health and safety of employees and others and take appropriate action to put effective control measures in place. companies which fail to prioritise workplace
safety could face significant reputational and commercial risks. the HSe is responsible for regulatory enforcement that can see substantial fines, and in extreme cases prison, levied on companies and their directors. Measures required under the act include taking
steps to control slip and trip risks as well as exposure to hazardous materials. Specific recommendations are to keep absorbent materials to hand where there is a risk of a spillage and to clean up spills promptly to minimise the risk of exposure and slips and trips. this sounds straightforward, however, it can
potentially generate additional challenges. Manufacturing companies typically use blue paper roll or single use rags to absorb and mop up spilled liquids or clean machine parts. However, any blue roll or rags which are used for this application then potentially become classed as hazardous waste which then requires suitable management and disposal. to ensure compliance with legal regulations,
businesses producing hazardous waste in the Uk - including wipes used to mop up spillages - have a specific ‘duty of care’ concerning that waste and must classify, separate and store any waste safely before it is disposed of by an authorised hazardous wastes contractor.
50 OctOBeR 2021 | factORy&HanDlinGSOlUtiOnS
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