Introduction
This is the first in a series of HSE Information Sheets concerning the safe handling of dyes and chemicals in textile finishing. It sets the scene for the rest of the series by:
Other Information Sheets in this series advise you how to control specific risks to health and safety.
The guidance was written with the assistance of the Textiles Industry Advisory Committee (TEXIAC). The aim of TEXIAC is to help protect employees and others from hazards to their health and safety arising from work activity. It brings together representatives from employers' associations and trade unions under the chairmanship of HSE to produce sound, practical advice to meet the industry's specific needs.
Hazards
These Information Sheets do not cover hazards such as the manual handling of chemical containers or the mechanical hazards of machinery, information on which is available in other publications from HSE.
Dyestuffs
Dyes have many different and complex chemical structures, and there is a large range of products in commercial use. Which of these dyes can produce adverse effects on human health?
That is not always an easy question to answer. Uncontrolled exposure to some hazardous dyestuffs is clearly recognised as potentially harmful to health. However, this leaves a very large number of dyes which have not been associated with any adverse health effects. It is possible that for a small number of these, adverse effects on health can occur but have not yet been detected. Given the number of products in use, the state of knowledge about the hazards of dyes to human health is never likely to be complete.
It is therefore prudent to minimise exposure to dyes of all types, even if no adverse health effects are known.
Dyes known to be hazardous
Some reactive dyes are recognised respiratory sensitisers. Breathing in respiratory sensitisers can cause occupational asthma. Once a person is sensitised, re-exposure to even very small amounts of the same dye may result in allergic symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, watery or prickly eyes, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Some dyes can cause similar allergic skin reactions. Certain reactive, vat and disperse dyes are recognised skin sensitisers.
A small number of dyes, based on the chemical benzidine, are thought to possibly cause cancer. Substitutes exist for these dyes in textile use.
Other dyes may also present hazards to health. It is essential to read the safety data sheet supplied with each hazardous product.
Non-dyestuff chemicals
Fire hazards may arise from the use of flammable liquids which are easily ignited, or oxidising agents which may make an existing fire more intense by fuelling it with oxygen. Corrosive chemicals can cause serious burns and may react dangerously with other chemicals. Violent reactions may be caused by substances which are dangerous when wet such as 'Hydros'. Hot liquids cause many scalding accidents.
Perhaps the most prevalent health problems associated with dyeing and finishing processes arise from exposure to chemicals acting as irritants. These may cause skin irritation, itchy, stuffy noses, sneezing and sore eyes. They include formaldehyde-based resins, ammonia, acetic acid, some shrink-resist chemicals and optical whiteners, soda ash and bleach.
Risk assessment
Many substances you use in production are hazardous, but what really matters is whether, in practice, your employees are likely to be harmed by them. To be able to judge this, you need to carry out an assessment of the risk that someone may be hurt or become ill. The level of risk will depend upon how you handle the substance in your workplace.
An assessment of risk is simply a careful examination of the ways in which people could potentially be harmed through their work so that you can weigh up whether you have already taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.
In deciding whether there is more you need to do, ask yourself:
Don't forget that further steps are not just physical changes you make to plant or equipment. They might also include the introduction of a system of safety checks, or a change to the way you do things.
Carrying out a well considered risk assessment is a key element in managing health and safety successfully. It is also the foundation upon which much of the relevant legislation is based.
Relevant law
Although not every sheet in this series mentions the law, health and safety laws are the basis for all the requirements to assess and control risks. Summaries of the most relevant current legislation are given below. The summaries are not intended to be definitive statements of law.
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
This Act places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of their employees. The duty includes the provision of safe plant and systems of work, a safe working environment and all necessary information, instruction, training and supervision. Employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and must co-operate with their employers on health and safety matters.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994
The COSHH Regulations provide a framework aimed at protecting people at work against health risks from hazardous substances. The principal requirements of COSHH are to carry out an assessment of the risks to health and then, on the basis of the assessment, to prevent or control these risks. Complying with COSHH also involves ensuring that control measures are used and maintained; informing employees of the risks and precautions needed; and carrying out appropriate health surveillance where necessary.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
The main requirement of these Regulations is that personal protective equipment (PPE), that is gloves, eye protection, safety footwear and the like, should be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways. Where this is the case, PPE must be made available free of charge.
Employers are placed under a duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that any necessary PPE that they provide is properly used by their employees. Employees are under a complementary duty to use the equipment in accordance with the training and instructions they have been given.
Other Information Sheets in the Dyeing and Finishing series
No 2 Non-dyestuff chemicals: Safe handling in textile finishing
No 3 Dyestuffs: Safe handling in textile finishing
No 4 Hazards from dyes and chemicals in textile finishing: A brief guide for employees
*No 5 Reactive dyes: Safe handling in textile finishing
*No 6 Dust control in dyestuff handling
* To be published early 1997
Textiles Information Sheets are available from the Textiles, Clothing and Laundries NIG, HSE, 8 St Paul's St, Leeds LS1 2LE. They are also available from HSE Books (see below for details).
Further information
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 good booksellers.
For other enquiries write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. The information it contains is current at 6/96. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
Printed and published by HSE 6/96 TIS1 C100
Further help:
Further advice can be obtained from HSE offices (see under Health and Safety Executive in the telephone directory). For other enquiries write to HSE's Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.
