LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
1. S.2 of the Health and Safety etc. at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the health and safety at work of their employees and any others who may be affected by their work activities.
2. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 require employers to report (on form F2508A) cases of occupational asthma following work involving exposure to fumes arising from the use of rosin (colophony) as a soldering flux.
3. Although there is currently no occupational exposure limit for rosin-based solder flux fume, adequate control is considered, by the HSE, to mean reducing exposure as low as is reasonably practicable. There are, however, proposals to introduce Maximum Exposure Levels (MEL's) for total resin acids of:-
· 0.05mg/mº as an 8-hour time weighted average; and
· 0.15mg/mº over a 15-minute reference period If agreed, the new MEL's would be included in a future revision to the COSHH Regulations. Check with your enforcing authority for the latest position.
CONTROLLING ANY IDENTIFIED RISK
Substitution
Where reasonably practicable, use a flux that does not contain colophony or is rosin-reduced. Be aware that rosin-free fluxes may still present other health and safety risks requiring adequate controls. There may also be other alternatives to soldering including mechanical jointing, conductive adhesives or processes using new technical developments. Where rosin-based fluxes are used the following precautions should be considered:-
Control
1. Fume Control, achieved by means of effective local exhaust ventilation (LEV). It is important that the exhaust hood or nozzle is correctly positioned. The LEV system must not only capture the fumes but it must also dispose of them safely. Leaflet IND (G) 249L lists possible control measures in manual soldering processes. Their selection and use will be influenced by the type of process, the level and nature of the fume, and local conditions in the workplace. Advice on all three factors is included in the leaflet. Various types of exhaust ventilation system can be used including:
(a) exhaust nozzle fitted to the iron
(b) captor hood
(c) individual fume control units
(d) exhaust ventilated benches
Each system has both advantages and drawbacks. Advice can be sought from suppliers, industry associations or your local enforcing authority for health and safety.
2. Personal protective equipment - which should be used only as an additional measure when prevention or adequate control by other means is not reasonably practicable. Respiratory protective equipment must be suitable for the purpose, capable of controlling adequately the exposure to colophony fumes and be of a type approved by HSE or conform to a standard approved by HSE.
3. Other precautions - such as washing facilities, prohibition of smoking, eating or drinking in the working area
4. Maintenance of exhaust systems and respiratory protective equipment needs to be formalised and suitable records kept.
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