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POTENTIAL HAZARD – RESPIRABLE DUST ON EQUIPMENT RETURNED FROM THEATRE

Some equipment being returned from theatre to UK for servicing and
maintenance is contaminated with dust potentially containing respirable
crystalline silica.  Maintenance, servicing and refurbishment activities
that disturb this dust carry with them the potential to expose those
undertaking the task to airborne dust containing respirable crystalline
silica.  

IPTs should provide organisations that undertake maintenance, servicing
or refurbishment work on equipment returned from theatre, with
information on the potential contamination with dust.  This will inform
the organisations’ risk assessment process and the selection of
control measures that reduce exposure to as low as is reasonably
practicable.  

The attached template provides text for IPTs to include in
correspondence with the organisations they use.  Please ensure that IPTs
communicate this information.  

{signed on DII}

G M JONES

Director

Safety & Environmental Protection

Encl. Template letter 

Distribution:

DES DFG Dir	

DES WpnsEng-D	

DES DG Combat Air STI	

DES DG Ships STI	

DES DG Subs STI	

DES DG Heli-STI 	

DES AS STI	

DES ISS Sols-Safety & Env Mgr	

DES ISTAR-STIL	

DES LE Prog-TI 	

Copy to:

DES CST Fleet-D 	

DES CST Land-D 

DES CST Land-D TEMPLATE LETTER TO ORGANISATIONS WHICH CARRY OUT WORK ON
EQUIPMENT RETURNED FROM THEATRE

POTENTIAL HAZARD – RESPIRABLE DUST ON EQUIPMENT RETURNED FROM THEATRE

Some equipment being returned from theatre to UK for servicing and
maintenance is contaminated with dust potentially containing respirable
crystalline silica.  Maintenance, servicing and refurbishment activities
that disturb this dust carry with them the potential to expose those
undertaking the task to airborne dust containing respirable crystalline
silica.  

You will be aware that exposure to hazardous substances must be
adequately controlled and, for substances assigned a WEL, exposure does
not exceed the WEL.  Respirable crystalline silica has been assigned an
8 Hr Time Weighted Average (TWA) Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of
0.1 mg/M3.

Processes that actively generate airborne dust, such as use of
compressed air lines, should be avoided.  Cleaning techniques that
minimise generation of airborne dust include wet or vacuum cleaning. If
this is not reasonably practicable or does not reduce exposure
sufficiently then use of enclosures and/or properly designed exhaust
ventilation systems – supplemented by respiratory protective equipment
– may be necessary.  The provision of respiratory protective equipment
on its own as a control measure is unlikely to be acceptable.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that risk assessments
for silica follow the “special” control approach as laid out in
their guidance sheet G400, further information on dealing with
respirable silica can be obtained from the HSE and from the British
Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).  



	Mr Gareth Jones



	Director Safety & Environmental Protection DE&S



	Birch 3c  #3331, Abbey Wood, 

Filton, Bristol, BS34 8JH



	

	

Tel: +44 (0) 117 91 34860

Fax: +44 (0)119 91 32901





	Email: desseceso-d@mod.uk 

















See Distribution



	Please reply to: 











Our Reference: 

ASEG Working/8/1/10











Date: 17 July 2008