This Hazardous Substances Assessment project carried out in Much Wenlock looked at how everyday manufacturing tasks may expose employees to airborne dusts during routine production activities. The aim was to better understand where substances hazardous to health could be generated as part of normal operations, and whether existing workplace controls were helping to keep employee exposure at a safe and manageable level over the course of a standard working day.
From general site observations, it was clear that certain activities — such as opening material bags, tipping powders into hoppers, and cleaning out mixing equipment between batches — had the potential to release fine dust into the surrounding work area. While most tasks were being carried out in a careful and controlled way, some manual handling activities on the packing lines were noted as creating visible dust clouds when materials were dropped onto conveyor systems.
The project also reviewed existing ventilation systems, housekeeping practices, and the availability of protective equipment on site. In many cases, employees were observed making use of local extraction systems and following safe working procedures, supported by regular cleaning schedules and training programmes.
Overall, this COSHH-aligned assessment provides a useful snapshot of workplace exposure risks at the time of survey and highlights some simple, practical improvements that could help reduce contact with hazardous substances moving forward.
In July 2024, Sysco's team carried out a hazardous substances assessment at a manufacturing facility in Leamington Spa to ensure worker safety. The project aimed to monitor the levels of airborne hazardous materials, mainly dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), throughout the site. Employees working in various sections, like assembly cells and quality control, were observed and monitored as part of the assessment.
The study revealed that the exposure levels of inhalable and respirable dust, as well as VOCs, were all well below legal workplace exposure limits. This means that workers, under normal conditions, are unlikely to be harmed by the substances they encounter if existing safety measures are maintained. However, a few recommendations were made to further improve workplace safety. For instance, better ventilation systems were suggested for specific areas like the clean room, and alternative cleaning methods, such as using vacuum cleaners instead of sweeping, were advised to minimise dust spread.
Overall, the report highlighted that with continuous improvements in ventilation and safety procedures, the risk of exposure to hazardous substances at this location could be kept to an absolute minimum. Regular monitoring and adherence to safety practices will ensure that the facility remains a safe working environment for its employees.
We recently performed a hazardous substances assessment at a CNC machining facility in West Bromwich. Our focus was on evaluating the exposure levels of employees to water-mix metal working fluids (WMMWF). Using personal and static air sampling methods, we measured the concentrations of these fluids in the air during typical work operations.
The results showed that the levels of WMMWF were significant, often exceeding the historical guidance value of 0.1 mg/m³ for an 8-hour TWA. This indicated a need for better control measures. We recommended improving ventilation, enclosing machinery, and implementing a health surveillance programme for employees.
Additionally, we advised against using compressed air for cleaning and suggested alternative methods to avoid dispersing the fluids into the air. Housekeeping practices needed to include wet cleaning or vacuuming instead of dry sweeping to minimise dust clouds. The use of protective equipment like gloves and respiratory masks was also encouraged to prevent skin and respiratory exposure.
This project underscored our commitment to ensuring a safe working environment by thoroughly assessing and addressing hazardous substance exposure.
We recently conducted an electromagnetic fields (EMF) assessment at a facility in West Bromwich to ensure compliance with the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016. The aim was to measure EMF levels produced by various machinery and processes, evaluate employee exposure, and recommend risk control measures.
Using specialised equipment like the NARDA ELT 400, we measured EMF strengths at multiple locations within the facility, including power cables, transformers, and distribution panels. The results showed that EMF levels were within safe limits, posing no significant risk to employees not at particular risk. However, for employees with conditions such as implanted medical devices, maintaining a safe distance from specific equipment was recommended.
Our key recommendations included regularly reviewing and updating risk assessments, providing proper training on EMF safety, and implementing an action plan if excessive exposure is identified. Additionally, employees should be encouraged to disclose any medical implants to ensure their safety in the workplace.
Overall, the project underscores our commitment to providing thorough assessments and practical solutions to manage EMF exposure, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.
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