Welcome to issue 34, this time we feature an excellent good practice guide about optimising the use of metalworking fluids. We also look at ways to prevent Sick Building Syndrome using good design, and finish with an extract from the HSE's ACoP L8 dealing with the need for record keeping as part of the Legionella control process. Next time we'll be looking at Accepta's revolutionary range of concentrated solid boiler and cooling water treatment chemicals that offer significant health and safety, transportation, operational, storage and disposal benefits.

In this issue:

• Accepta relocate to larger premises ... more >>
• Optimising the use of metalworking fluids - good practice guide ... more >>
• How to prevent Sick Building Syndrome? ... more >>
• Controlling Legionella bacteria and the need for record keeping ... more >>

Accepta HQ Relocates to Larger Premises

Accepta's European Head Quarters facility has now relocated to new, larger premises situated adjacent to the famous Lancashire County Cricket Ground in Manchester, United Kingdom. All other offices and warehouse contact details remain unchanged. Our new HQ contact details are as follows:

Accepta Duckworth House Old Trafford Manchester M23 0FP United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 161 877 2334 Fax: +44 (0) 870 135 6389 Email: info@accepta.com

Accepta European HQ

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Optimising the use of metalworking fluids - good practice guide

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) - sometimes referred to as coolants, suds, slurry or soap - are used in engineering workshops for a wide range of metal cutting processes, e.g. drilling, milling, tapping and turning. The main functions of metalworking fluids are to:

• provide lubrication;
• cool equipment and machined components;
• prevent surface corrosion of the machined components;
• remove metal fines (swarf) from the machining operation;
• prolong the life of machine cutting tools.

The purchase, management and disposal of metalworking fluids make up an estimated 16% of manufacturing costs in the UK engineering industry. However, many workshops are not getting the best out of their metalworking fluids and could reduce their operating costs significantly by implementing and improving fluid management and control practices. For companies with poor fluid management procedures, savings of 40 - 60% may be possible by implementing proven waste minimisation techniques. Even companies with good fluid management procedures still have the potential to achieve worthwhile cost savings.

The benefits of improved fluid management include:

• reduced fluid purchase and disposal costs;
• extended fluid life;
• improved machine performance;
• improved working conditions for operators;
• improved environmental performance.

This good practice guide describes practical measures to help companies prolong the life of their metalworking fluids and reduce their operating costs. Checklists are provided to help you take action to optimise the use of your metalworking fluids.

The guide stresses the importance of:

• buying good quality fluids from reputable suppliers;
• selecting the correct fluids for different machining processes;
• adopting good housekeeping practices;
• avoiding contamination by tramp oil, particulates, etc;
• monitoring fluid condition regularly and taking corrective action as required;
• making an informed decision about when a fluid is ready for disposal;
• using the most cost-effective fluid disposal option for your site;
• providing training in good practice.

The level of savings that can be achieved by improved fluid management procedures will depend on particular production requirements ... more >>

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How can planning prevent Sick Building Syndrome?

Many of the factors associated with Sick Building Syndrome relate to building and building services design. In many cases it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to change things when building and installation work have been completed. In some cases alterations may be possible but would be prohibitively expensive to carry out. The prevention of Sick Building Syndrome, therefore, needs to be tackled at an early stage during the planning of new building work, refurbishment or change of use.

Two broad objectives to aim for in planning are:

• to comply with published standards (including the Building Regulations 1991(11) and those detailed in the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Guides(13)); and
• to direct effort cost-effectively towards the best possible working environment.

These aims need to be applied systematically in the following areas:

Building services and indoor environment

• Air quality, including ventilation, outdoor air supply and air movement
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Lighting
• Noise
• Office equipment and furnishings

Maintenance

• Maintenance of the building and building services systems
• Cleaning operations, including office furnishings

Job factors

• Management systems
• Work organisation, including display screen equipment work

Part 2 (discussed in the next newsletter) gives more detailed guidance on the approach to take and various specific actions that may be appropriate. It also includes, where relevant, suggestions about the standards to meet.

But good planning is not enough. To protect the effectiveness of the design effort, it is vital to implement the plans rigorously. Construction, renovation, installation of equipment and services, and final commissioning of the building should all follow the design as precisely as possible. Any changes to the original plan need to be checked to ensure the building as a whole will still perform as intended. In particular, materials should only be substituted when the consequences for the emission of pollutants have been assessed.

What should I do if I suspect Sick Building Syndrome?

If you start getting complaints from your workforce about the symptoms associated with Sick Building Syndrome, or your supervisors warm of reduced efficiency and staff unease, it is important that you investigate promptly and systematically. The problem may or may not be Sick Building Syndrome. Even if it is, there could be a number of unrelated causes requiring co-ordinated action across a variety of areas. A prompt response can help improve staff morale and make it easier to get at the real causes. However, a hasty and ill-considered response could involve you in a lot of wasted effort and money in making unnecessary changes.

Remember, your investigations will be most cost-effective if checks start with the most likely sources of the problem and you take the simplest actions to remedy faults as they emerge. More costly systems reviews and sophisticated remedial actions should only be considered if the simple approach does not work. You should discuss your approach with your staff or their representatives, for example the safety representative or the health and safety committee ... more next time.

Content extracted from the HSE document “How to deal with sick building syndrome”, and is reproduced in accordance with Accepta’s agreement with and courtesy of the United Kingdom’s Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.

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Controlling Legionella bacteria and the need for record keeping

Part 9 of the HSE's Approved Code of Practice "Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems"

Approved Code of Practice

66 - The person or persons appointed under paragraph 39 shall ensure that appropriate records are kept, including details of:

(a) the person or persons responsible for conducting the risk assessment, managing, and implementing the written scheme;

(b) the significant findings of the risk assessment;

(c) the written scheme required under paragraph 53 and details of its implementation; and

(d) the results of any monitoring, inspection, test or check carried out, and the dates. This should include details of the state of operation of the system, i.e. in use/not in use.

67 - Records kept in accordance with paragraph 66 should be retained throughout the period for which they remain current and for at least two years after that period. Records kept in accordance with paragraph 66(d) should be retained for at least five years.

Guidance

68 - To ensure that precautions continue to be carried out and that adequate information is available, a record of the assessment and precautionary measures and treatments should be kept. All records should be signed by those people performing the various tasks assigned to them.

69 - The following items should normally be recorded:

(a) names and position of people responsible for carrying out the various tasks under the written scheme;
(b) a risk assessment and a written scheme of actions and control measures;
(c) plans or schematic drawings of the systems;
(d) details of precautionary measures that have been carried out, including sufficient detail to show that they were carried out correctly and the dates on which they were carried out;
(e) remedial work required and carried out, and the date of completion;
(f) a log detailing visits by contractors, consultants and other personnel;
(g) cleaning and disinfection procedures and associated reports and certificates;
(h) results of the chemical analysis of the water;
(i) information on other hazards, eg treatment chemicals;
(j) cooling tower notification;
(k) training records of personnel;
(l) the name and position of the people or persons who have responsibilities for implementing the scheme, their respective responsibilities and their lines of communication;
(m) records showing the current state of operation of the system, eg when the system or plant is in use and, if not in use, whether it is drained down; and
(n) the signature of the person carrying out the work, or other form of authentication where appropriate.

Next time we look at the Responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers.

Extracted with permission from "Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and Guidance "Legionnaires' disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems" (L8)" © Crown copyright

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