CASE STUDY 1
Preparation of occupational health and consumer risk assessments for three flame retardants as part of the submission prepared by the Irish Health and Safety Authority to the Technical Meeting for the implementation of the European Existing Substances Regulations.

Workplace Environment Solutions Ltd was awarded this contract due to previous experience in compiling these assessment documents during Tracey and Martin’s employment at the Health and Safety Executive.

The preparation of these documents required gathering data from industry and technical literature to inform the assessment process. The information is collated and interpreted, and exposure scenarios developed. The first drafts were presented to industry for comment and following amendments were then submitted to the Member States’ competent authorities for peer review.

Following this round of comments a further draft was prepared for consideration by member states at a technical meeting. This draft was presented at the meeting in person and was well-received. The risk assessments have prompted further data collection by industry, so the risk assessments will be refined following receipt of this data. The outcome of the overall risk assessment will influence the way in which these substances are used in the future within the European Union.

CASE STUDY 2

A North West engineering company reported a case of respiratory illness, possibly associated with exposure to MWFs, to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR. Workplace Environment Solutions were asked to assess occupational exposure to MWFs. MDHS (Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances) 95/2, Measurement of personal exposure of metal working machine operators to airborne water-mix metalworking fluid, was followed, to determine exposure to the water soluble fluid in use. In addition, the condition of the sump fluids was assessed through the measurement of fluid strength, pH and bacteriological content.

Operators and supervisors were also interviewed to determine approaches to fluid management. Although MWF mist levels were below the HSE guidance value of 1mgm-3 (ref: HSE guidance, Working safely with metal working fluids), the in-use fluid was found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria and in some cases at the wrong fluid strength. The condition of the fluid was consistent with the reported and observed approaches to fluid management. Therefore, workers, although not exposed to high mist levels, were exposed to a “dirty” mist.

Recommendations were provided for the effective management of the fluid to remove the current levels of contamination and maintain them within acceptable guidelines.

CASE STUDY 3

Providing advice and support on asbestos management to a large utility company.

Workplace Environment Solutions Ltd was approached by the company to provide advice in the management of asbestos. Working with the company, WES devised an asbestos management plan and implementation strategy to facilitate compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. As part of the implementation, WES provided advice on surveying, wrote a number of procedures, carried out awareness training, and specific task training for those who would be involved in minor work on asbestos. WES continue to provide ongoing support and advice on asbestos management to the company.

For other companies and local authorities, WES have carried out retrospective risk assessments following asbestos exposure incidents, and carried out reviews of asbestos management policy and procedures after poor surveying or removal contracts.