NEW GUIDANCE ON SOLVENT DEGREASING PLANTS

HSE press release E049:03 - 1 April 2003

New guidance on the safe use and cleaning of solvent degreasing plants has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Safe use of solvent degreasing plant (HSE ref: EIS40) summarises the main precautions required when carrying out solvent degreasing, while the existing leaflet Maintenance and cleaning of solvent degreasing plant (EIS20) has been revised and updated.

Both guides, which are supported by a cross-industry surface cleaning working group, explain what constitutes good practice in the use of solvent degreasers and complement earlier HSE advice on surface cleaning of metal articles and components (EIS34).

If possible solvent degreasing should be carried out in an enclosed system. Where open-topped degreasers are used, they should be enclosed as far as is reasonably practicable. Retrofitting of an enclosure on a conventional open-topped degreaser can significantly reduce both operator exposure and vapour emissions into the workplace if designed, installed and operated correctly.

Solvent degreasing plants require routine maintenance and cleaning if they are to perform and run effectively and safely. Maintenance and cleaning procedures should be designed to eliminate or minimise the need to enter the degreaser.

Dr John Powell, head of HSE's national engineering group, said: "Failure to maintain and operate a degreaser properly can result in exposure to high concentrations of organic solvent vapours, which exert a narcotic effect and can be fatal.

"Poorly maintained degreasers are still found in some workplaces. Some are in such poor condition that their use is prohibited by HSE. This new guidance summarises the main precautions required when operating solvent degreasing plants and will help users meet their legal obligations."

Notes to editors

1. This guidance has the support of a cross-industry working group involving the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), the Surface Engineering Association (SEA), the Institute of Metal Finishing (IMF) and the British Surface Treatment Suppliers association (BSTSA) in partnership with HSE, Envirowise, a government programme that advises industry on environment issues, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

2. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 require exposure to substances hazardous to health to be prevented or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled.

Copies of Safe use of solvent degreasing plant (EIS40), Maintenance and cleaning of solvent degreasing plant (EIS20 (rev1)) and Surface cleaning: Solvent update including the reclassification of trichloroethylene (EIS34), are available from HSE Books.

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