Health and Safety Executive

Working with cobalt are you at risk?

Contents

COBALT and YOU

Working with cobalt and some of its compounds may affect your health.

This leaflet tells you about the possible health hazards involved in working with cobalt; what your employer has to do and the precautions you should take.

WHAT IS COBALT?

Cobalt is a hard, bluish-white metal. At high temperatures it is attacked by atmospheric oxygen and by water vapour, producing cobalt (II) oxide. Cobalt (II) oxide is an olive green compound. Simple inorganic salts of cobalt are generally very soluble in water.

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

Cobalt and its compounds are used in many processes and products. They are used in:

  • the hardmetal industry;
  • specialist alloy foundries;
  • cobalt refineries;
  • chemical factories;
  • manufacturing magnets;
  • the paint industry;
  • diamond tooling.

HOW CAN IT GET INTO YOUR BODY?

  • By breathing in dusts/mists containing cobalt.
  • By skin contact with dust or solutions containing cobalt.
  • By eating, drinking or smoking in cobalt work areas.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH HAZARDS?

Effects on the lungs:

  • 'Hardmetal disease';
  • respiratory sensitisation;
  • asthma.

Effects on the skin:

  • allergic dermatitis.

WHAT DOES MY EMPLOYER HAVE TO DO?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1994 require your employer to:

  • assess the risks to your health and the precautions needed for your protection;
  • prevent you being exposed to cobalt, or where this cannot reasonably be done, adequately control your exposure;
  • reduce your exposure so far as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, below the maximum exposure limit (MEL) of 0.1 milligrams per cubic metre of air averaged over an 8-hour period;
  • maintain all dust control measures in efficient working order;
  • find out how much cobalt you are exposed to, normally by means of a monitoring programme;
  • arrange any health checks that are necessary; and,
  • inform, instruct and train all employees who may be exposed to cobalt.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

  • Avoid breathing in dust.
  • Avoid skin contact.
  • Use the extraction equipment or control measures correctly.
  • Use the protective clothing and equipment provided.
  • Use the washing facilities provided which should be adequate and suitable for your needs.
  • If you have a respirator make sure:
  • it fits properly;
  • it is clean;
  • the filter is changed regularly;
  • you have been trained how to use it.
  • Report defects in enclosures, extraction equipment or other control measures to your employer.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke in cobalt work areas.

WHAT ABOUT HEALTH CHECKS?

  • People exposed to dust from cobalt and its compounds may require health surveillance by an occupational health nurse or doctor.
  • An initial check should include details of your past health especially any skin or breathing problems, which could be made worse by exposure to cobalt or its compounds.
  • Co-operate with your employer in any health checks.
  • Examine your skin regularly and report any skin complaints or breathing difficulties to your supervisor, safety representative or union representative.

WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU GET?

Your employer should tell you:

  • the risks to health from the use of cobalt;
  • the control measures adopted, the reasons for them, and how to use them properly;
  • the reasons for personal protective equipment and clothing, the jobs where they are necessary, and how they should be used, stored and maintained;
  • the results of any tests for cobalt levels in the air of your workplace;
  • the role of any health surveillance and the arrangements for you to know the results;
  • any further requirements of the COSHH Regulations.

If you have any concerns or problems about working with cobalt or its inorganic compounds, ask your supervisor, safety representative or union to discuss them with your employer, or discuss them with either your own or your work's doctor.

The Health and Safety Executive has published Guidance Note EH 68 Cobalt: health and safety precautions(ISBN 0 7176 0823 9), and a workers' information card on respiratory sensitisers for those who work with cobalt salts Breathe Freely(IND(G) 72L). Your employer may already have copies that you could read.

HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from:

HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995

HSE priced publications are also available from Dillons Bookstores and all good booksellers. They can be ordered at any branch of Ryman the Stationer.

Other enquiries should be directed to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ Tel: 0114 289 2345 Fax: 0114 289 2333 or to any area office of HSE. The numbers are in the phone book.

This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.

This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising,
endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current
at 3/95. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.

MS(A)17 3/95 C50

Added to the web Site 13/8/98

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