If you cannot eliminate a substance or use a safer substance or process, think about what you can do to reduce exposure. The focus should be on providing collective protection rather than just relying on PPE. Consider:
Table 1 Which jobs could be risky?
| Example of task/profession | Currently uses (products tools) |
Safer practice (Stage 4) | Managing the remaining risk (Stage 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilers | Epoxy-based adhesives, applied without gloves. | Use butyl gloves. | |
| Bricklayers and plasterers | Cement mortar and plaster mixed on site. | Use premixed mortar and plaster. | Wear gloves. |
| Laying epoxy floors | Mixing the epoxy resin and curing agent in a bucket. Application of the resin to surface via short-handled tools . |
Use pierced duo kits that allow mixing within the package itself. Use long-stemmed rollers and spreaders with splash guards. |
Use butyl gloves for water-based epoxy or nitrile gloves for solvent-based epoxy. |
| Painting bare metal | Epoxy/solvent-based paints. | Use nitrile gloves. | |
| Painting wooden floors | Epoxy-based wood sealer. | Use nitrile gloves. | |
| Laying mineral wool/fibre glass insulation | Laying by hand with glove protection. | Wear long-sleeved work clothes that are frequently changed and washed separately. Rinse exposed areas of skin regularly during the work day. |
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