Due to the lack of safe storage for chemicals, i ordered Dangerous & Flammable store units which are fully compliant with COSHH/DSEAR, i ensured they were signed correctly and placed them into position with instructions on what to store, what needed segregating ect.
we have had a new senior manager start with the buisness (related to CEO mentioned in previous post) who has stated a few times that the units should have ventilation and so are non compliant and shouldnt be used. I showed him the technical data supplied with the units which showed they are fully compliant and i also showed him the recommendation made by our fire safety expert which clearly stated what was required to store the chemicals on site, (which i followed to the letter and purchased exactly what was recommended) which i thought had satisfied him.
i have found out today he has asked facilities to drill holes into the units to provide ventilation, luckly they spoke to me prior to undertaking this.
apart from the potential hazards created by destroying the protection offered in defacing the units, am i correct in thinking that any deliberate changes may potentially affect our insurance cover?
COSHH/DSEAR storage cabinets
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Re: COSHH/DSEAR storage cabinets
From my understanding, adding ventilation would damage the fire proofing and therefore could have an implication on the insurance claims. To drill holes for ventilation in my opinion is plain daft.
Our cabinets are designed to withstand the heat for 30 minutes. The volume of chemicals should be insufficient in these stores to warrant ventilation.
I would recommend that you check the MSDS for the storage advice, (our chemicals seem to all state: Keep tightly closed in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Protect against light. Accessible only for authorized persons) but I would also say that common sense would suggest as long as the cabinets in a well ventilated room, unless staff are sticking their heads in the cabinets there should be plenty of ventilation without drilling holes.
If he is determined to add ventilation then a protected louvre may be the best option as it would slow the air flow into the cabinet, but I still believe that anything allowing air to enter the cabinet will make the fire protection void.
Maybe sticking a sign on the cabinet saying do not stick head or climb into cabinet due to risk of fumes might satisfy him?
Nell
Our cabinets are designed to withstand the heat for 30 minutes. The volume of chemicals should be insufficient in these stores to warrant ventilation.
I would recommend that you check the MSDS for the storage advice, (our chemicals seem to all state: Keep tightly closed in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Protect against light. Accessible only for authorized persons) but I would also say that common sense would suggest as long as the cabinets in a well ventilated room, unless staff are sticking their heads in the cabinets there should be plenty of ventilation without drilling holes.
If he is determined to add ventilation then a protected louvre may be the best option as it would slow the air flow into the cabinet, but I still believe that anything allowing air to enter the cabinet will make the fire protection void.
Maybe sticking a sign on the cabinet saying do not stick head or climb into cabinet due to risk of fumes might satisfy him?
Nell
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Re: COSHH/DSEAR storage cabinets
thanks Nell
the cabinates i purchased are 30min fire resistant, the products that are stored in these do follow the MSDS for storage recommendations
Maybe sticking a sign on the cabinet saying do not stick head or climb into cabinet due to risk of fumes might satisfy him? this actually made me laugh at work today, i love it haha
the cabinates i purchased are 30min fire resistant, the products that are stored in these do follow the MSDS for storage recommendations
Maybe sticking a sign on the cabinet saying do not stick head or climb into cabinet due to risk of fumes might satisfy him? this actually made me laugh at work today, i love it haha