Clean and safe?
August 1st 2006

Cleaning in industry is designed to improve health and safety, but hazardous chemicals commonly used can cause skin complaints, breathing disorders and more serious conditions for staff. Mark Riley of SCA Tissue Europe, suggests ways to minimise the effects

Tough, powerful cleaning agents are often required for removing soiling such as ink, paint, oil and grease in the factory or workshop. But what risks do these substances pose for the people who use them? Traditional solvents used in industry are volatile organic compounds, and a wide range of negative health effects have been attributed to VOCs.

Eye irritation, headaches and nausea are common complaints associated with certain solvents. They can enter the bloodstream where they are converted into toxic chemical compounds that may attack the organs. When breathed in, they can destroy the mucus membranes, damaging the lungs and worsening the effects of smoking.

More serious conditions associated with solvents can include chronic kidney inflammation, heart disease and damage to the liver and central nervous system. VOCs have also been linked to lung cancer, bladder cancer and testicular cancer.

Various chemicals commonly used in the workplace have also been linked to industrial dermatitis. This may not be as attention-grabbing as conditions such as testicular cancer, for example, but it is nevertheless becoming a more serious problem every year. Industrial dermatitis now affects more than 80 000 people in the UK and costs up to 20m a year in sickness and retraining costs.

Symptoms include redness, itching, scaling and blistering, and industries particularly at risk include construction, engineering, printing, chemical, catering, cleaning, healthcare and agriculture. Repeated exposure to certain chemicals can cause industrial dermatitis, with common culprits being aggressive cleaning solutions, paint removers, detergents and adhesives.

Responsible employers make every effort to identify the risks involved with hazardous chemicals and replace these with safer ones where possible, or at least take steps to minimise contact with the substance. In many cases, however, the more aggressive chemicals are also the most effective which means a balance needs to be found between efficiency and employee safety.

Disposable approach

One way in which the effects of harsh chemicals can be reduced is by using disposable wipers rather than rags or textiles to administer them. Many rags have poor absorption properties and instead of soaking up solvents will simply redistribute them around the wiping surface, allowing them plenty of time to aggravate the hands and airways of the user.

A good quality disposable wiper will carry out the process swiftly and efficiently. The Tork Premium 530, for example, has been purpose-designed to absorb large amounts of solvent and then release it efficiently back on to the working surface. In addition to reducing contact between the user and the solvent, the wiper can reduce solvent consumption by a quarter, therefore helping to bring down costs.

Using disposables rather than textiles also minimises the risk of solvent-soaked wipers being left around the workshop where they can contaminate the atmosphere and increase staff exposure. Disposables are clean and uncontaminated before use, whereas rags may contain hidden 'extras', such as zips and other fasteners that can aggravate skin conditions.

Laundered cloths, too, may contain metal shavings from lathing operations that can injure the hands, as well as residual oils and chemicals that can cause skin rashes. A recent study carried out in the US examined laundered cloths in 14 states, and all of them were found to contain oil and grease; many contained high levels of metals such as lead.

Sensible precautions

There are other sensible health and safety precautions that should be made wherever hazardous chemicals are in use. For example, premises should be adequately ventilated and staff encouraged to report any damaged or defective ventilation equipment to their employer. Staff should be provided with protective clothing such as gloves, apron, goggles or a face shield, as well as respiratory protection. Any unnecessary evaporation of chemicals should be prevented by keeping lids on containers and by using sealed containers for contaminated waste. Smoking should be completely avoided when using solvents since toxic gases may be given off.

Thorough hand washing should take place after working with hazardous chemicals, particularly before smoking or eating. Soft hand towels should be made available to staff since these are gentle on the hands and will avoid aggravating any skin conditions.

Employers have a duty under the CoSHH Regulations 2002 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to prevent employees from coming into contact with substances that are hazardous to health.

By instigating a few ground rules and by using an effective wiping system many of the dangers associated with cleaning chemical use can be avoided.

More articles from SCA Hygiene Products UK Ltd: