Contents Search publications                                         Next

One of the TUC's current campaigns on chemicals concerns the safe handling of solvents. A survey of 219 safety reps during 1998 found that workers were not being protected from solvents, largely because employers were still failing to comply with COSHH. Particularly worrying was the finding that many employers were relying on personal protective equipment (PPE) as a first line of defence, the opposite of what COSHH requires. Problems are most acute in small firms. The TUC has sent the HSE a list of recommendations based on its findings.

The TUC survey found marked differences in COSHH compliance between small and large firms. Only 47% of safety representatives in small firms reported that COSHH assessments had been done, compared with 68% in firms with over 100 employees. One in eight safety representatives said that their employer had been subject to some form of enforcement action by the HSE or local authority for breaches of COSHH.

Safety representatives reported that the most common means of controlling exposure to solvents was with PPE. 65% reported use of PPE, whereas only 42% said that elimination or substitution was used to control solvent exposure, the methods at the top of the hierarchy of controls in COSHH.

The TUC report says, "The general approach to controlling solvent risks, where this is happening at all, seems to be the opposite of what is required by the legislation, and the TUC believes that the HSE has a major educative task to perform."

On access to information and training, another requirement of COSHH, the survey found comparatively good access to safety data sheets (SDS) but low levels of training. 70% of safety representatives said they had access to SDSs for the solvents used at work, but 42% said that employees in their workplaces had not received training in safe handling of solvents.

The survey also asked safety representatives about health effects and monitoring. Skin irritation was reported in 27% of workplaces, but only 35% of safety representatives said that their employers were monitoring employees' health. Only 30% reported atmospheric monitoring of solvent levels. The TUC describes the lack of monitoring as "troubling" and believes that "far more attention needs to be paid to monitoring the ill-health effects on the workforce of employment." It would also like to see much more use of "body mapping."

As a result of the survey the TUC has asked the HSE to raise awareness that PPE is a last resort, not the first choice, in controlling exposure to solvents, ensure that employers understand their duty under COSHH to train workers, and encourage small firms to assess solvent risks and provide SDSs to workers [Masking the problem, TUC, 1998, is available from the Organisation and Services Department, TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS (enclose a large, stamped, addressed envelope)].

Contents Search publications                                         Next