Hi All, I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this but basically where I work we do a few things that the company insist are safe but certain individuals insist arent.
1) Melting Tar for felt roofing- Usually the blocks of Tar are melted outside and brought inside to be poured onto the rooves, giving off a fairly nasty smelling smoke. Anyone know if there are any regs/health hazards with this? Or is it just one of those things.
2) Fiberglass, A few of the lads at our place rekons that it's as bad as aspestos for the fibres getting into your lungs, Anyone else agree? or have any views on this stuff?
Thanks again
Jim
"Hello YoungBart / Jim",
As SYKRAPS has stated these issues will be covered by the COSHH regulations - But a couple of comments from Me are:
You
DEFINITELY do NOT want to be breathing in Fibreglass `fibres` - they literally are minute `Fibres of GLASS` - small and light enough to be floating about in the Air - especially in a Loft area / Indoors -
You definitely do NOT want those getting into your Lungs !
Regarding Roofing Tar - this would definitely be specified to be melted and used Outdoors - in that way there should not really be any Health Risks -
as long as You were NOT actively Breathing In the Fumes - E.G. - although Working outdoors You might be in a confined space.
The Roofing Tar Fumes should NOT be introduced into an Indoor environment -
unless it was completely unavoidable - Then some Regulations will apply - such as: ONLY if the Building could be `Well Ventilated` and any People who were actually Working in there were DEFINITELY NOT `At Risk` from breathing in the Tar Fumes.
These comments are really NOT all that You need to know about these issues - But basically
ANYTHING that can be
`Hazardous to Life and Health` of the people who are Working with these substances OR who could become exposed to those substances through there being used on the Job -
MUST be used ONLY while following the COSHH Regulations.
There are also Health and Safety Courses and Assessments available for the Construction Industry Operatives - and some specifically for various Trades and Managers / Supervisors / Foremen etc.
These are a Mandatory Requirement on some Construction Sites - as part of the CSCS Card process - some Sites will NOT allow any Tradesman / Manager / Supervisor or Operative onto the Site without these Cards.
I hope this has been helpful.
Regards,
Chris - Heating Engineer - Registered Gas Engineer - Heating, Plumbing & Gas Contractor.
