Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Press Releases
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today published guidance providing advice on how to control fume during plastics processing.
The information sheet - Controlling fume during plastics processing (Plastics Processing Sheet No.13) - was launched at the HSE Stand during INTERPLAS 2002 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.
Fume produced in plastics processing is often the subject of enquiries to HSE and others in the industry. As a result, the HSE, in consultation with the Plastics Processors Health and Safety Liaison Committee, has produced this guidance, the latest in a series of information sheets addressing health and safety issues in plastics processing.
Chris Flint, HSE's Plastics and Rubber Sector Group, commented at the launch:
"This information sheet provides practical advice for companies on how to check that their processes are being operated in such a way that fume formation is minimised so reducing the risk of exposing employees to harmful levels of plastic fume. It emphasises the importance of maintaining plant correctly and following recommended processing parameters."
He continued:
"In some cases, either because of the process or the material being processed, local exhaust ventilation will be required to control exposure, and advice is included on where this is likely. This information sheet is essential reading for anyone involved in the plastics processing industry."
1. Representatives of HSE's Plastics and Rubber Sector Group will be attending the HSE Stand 3190 in Hall 3 during INTERPLAS 2002. The exhibition at the NEC runs from 30 September to 4 October 2002.
2. The Plastics Processors Health and Safety Liaison Committee comprises HSE and employers and employee representatives from the plastics processing industry.
Copies of Controlling fume during plastics processing (Plastics Processing Sheet No. 13) are available online: http://www.hsebooks.com or free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995. Priced publications are also available from good booksellers.
: 020 7717 6219. For press review copies telephone 020 7717 6917.
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055
or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Park, Caerphilly
CF83 3GG.
Published on the HSE web site on 3 October 2002