Tetrosyl Heap Bridge – Health & Safety

What is a Substance Hazardous to Health?

This term includes any material, mixture or compound used at work or arising from work activities which could harm people’s health.

Categories mentioned are –

1. Substances labelled toxic, very toxic, harmful, corrosive and irritant (always read container labels).
2. Substances that have been given a workplace exposure limit such as dusts (meaning a specified quantity you can be exposed to without it damaging your health).

What do the C.O.S.H.H. regulations require us to do?

1. Carry out risk assessments and where there are risks put control measures in place.
2. Maintain the control measures.
3. Monitor exposure to employees.
4. Ensure all employees receive instruction and training for handling chemicals.

How do hazardous chemicals affect us?

1. By inhalation – breathing them in, dusts or fumes.
2. By ingestion – swallowing.
3. By absorption – through the skin.
4. By eye contact.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

1. Always wear protective gloves when handling chemicals or products.
2. Read the protection labels on packaging, if a label is stating what protection is needed for the customer then do the same.
3. Always wear safety glasses when issued and where there is a risk of splashing especially for handling damaged goods or re-works.
4. Ask for advice if not sure.
5. Inform your supervisor or manager if you feel that personal protective equipment is required.

Where can I get information from if I think a chemical or product is hazardous?

1. Your supervisor or manager will ensure you receive the information on request.
2. The chemical register (for raw materials and formulations) and safety data sheet (for finished products) will give you information on hazardous chemicals and the protective safety measures required for its handling. They will also tell you the safety measures to be taken when working with the substance, the correct protective equipment to wear and tell the first aider what to do if there is an accident.
3. The Chemical Register is found on the Entropy System. Safety data sheets are found on the Entropy System.
4. There are notices on the TCP boards telling you what the symbols on these sheets mean. Look at them to see what they are.

What do I do if there is an accident?

1. Get a first aider straight away.
2. Tell a supervisor. The supervisor will make sure that the accident is reported. All accidents must be reported so that they can be investigated to stop them happening again.

PPE – The definition – Personal protective equipment means all equipment designed to be worn or held by a person at work to protect against one or more risks.

Types of personal protective equipment: –

• Safety footwear
• Protective goggles / glasses / visor / face shield
• Protective gloves
• Dust masks / respirators
• Protective overalls
• Harnesses
• Ear defenders / plugs
• Head protection helmets

PPE is provided to protect you. It is your responsibility to: –

1. Make sure that the equipment fits correctly and does not give rise to a different hazard, e.g. loose sleeves on overalls that may become trapped in machinery
2. Store equipment safely and correctly
3. Use the PPE provided in accordance with its purpose of provision

Employees must follow instructions and training given on the use of PPE.

Employees must wear PPE provided throughout the duration of the work it has been provided for.

Examples of why PPE would be provided

• Ear protection – noisy environments that exceed the recommended exposure limits
• Safety glasses / goggles – carrying out work with a risk of eye injuries i.e. reworking of products, decanting liquids from containers, cleaning and any work with a risk of splashes or contaminants into the eyes.
• Protective gloves – handling products / chemicals that may irritate the skin, using cleaning fluids such as degreasers.
• Safety footwear – to protect feet from dropped or falling items / equipment
• Dust masks / respirators – to protect against dusts or chemical vapours

Supervisors and managers have a responsibility to ensure that all team members are supplied with the PPE required to safeguard their health and safety, and that they have received the instruction and training required for its correct use.

What is the problem with noise?

Loud noise can permanently damage your hearing. Permanent tinnitus (ringing in your ears) can also be caused.

This damage can be caused instantly when there is a very loud noise but generally it takes place over a long period of time.

We control noise in the workplace by carrying out noise risk assessments, using quieter machines, sending you for hearing tests with occupational health and providing you with hearing protection.

What do you have to do?

1. Always wear your hearing protection in hearing protection areas. Taking it off even for a short while means that your hearing can be damaged.
2. Make sure that you always follow your working instructions with regard to Health and Safety.
3. Look after your hearing protection.
4. Report any problems with your hearing protection or noise straight away to your supervisor or Team Leader.

Mandatory Hearing Protection Areas

• Powder Manufacturing
• Aerosol Filling
• Plastics

You MUST wear hearing protection when in these areas however briefly you are in them.They will always have a sign telling you that it is a mandatory hearing protection area.

The blue sign above indicates a mandatory hearing protection area – an area where you MUST wear ear protection.

Advisory Hearing Protection Areas

An advisory hearing protection zone is one where hearing protection is available to use but is not mandatory. Noise is high in this area and it is advised that if you are working regularly in these areas you should wear hearing protection. They will always have a sign telling you that it is an advisory hearing protection area.

The yellow and green sign above (or a similar sign) indicates an advisory hearing protection area.

How do I wear my hearing protection.

Earplugs – practice fitting them properly. Ask your supervisor or Team leader if you are having trouble fitting them. Clean your hands before you fit earplugs and don’t share them. Some types you only use once and other may be re-used and even washed. Make sure you know which type you have.

Earmuffs – make sure they totally cover your ears, fit tightly and there are no gaps around the seals. Don’t let hair, jewellery, hats etc interfere with the seal. Keep the seals and the insides clean. Don’t stretch the headband – make sure it keeps it’s tension.

Hearing protection is available from dispensers in the deaprtment or from your Team Leader.

If you have any questions or concerns about hearing proection or are unsure whether you should be wearing hearing protection speak to your supervisor or Team Leader.

Failure to wear hearing protection in mandatory hearing protection areas is a breach of Health and Safety Policy and may result in action being taken under the Company Disciplinary Procedures.

Training Receipt Document

To be detached and forwarded to Liz Gerrard for filing in the employees training record file

I have been trained in and received a copy of the Noise in the Workplace work instruction (WI 2565)

I understand that I must wear hearing protection in mandatory hearing protection areas, how to wear my hearing protection and about advisory hearing protection areas.

I understand that if I have any questions about noise or hearing protection I should ask my Supervisor or Team Leader.

I fully understand my duties with regard to these rules and understand that failure to comply with these rules will result in action being taken according to the Company Disciplinary Procedure.

In multiple-choice questions, select ALL the answers which you think apply If you are unsure of an answer ask the trainer for assistance.