Addendum to BS4163
The code of practice BS 4163:2021+A1:2022 Health and Safety for Design and Technology in Educational and Similar Establishments, sets clear expectations about the Health and Safety training required of everyone working in design and technology. This latest iteration now supersedes BS 4163:2021.
Please refer to the amendment notes below to see the changes that have been made. Minor grammatical changes are not listed.
AMMENDMENT 1
The change refers to the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for wood dust. Dust from hardwood and composite materials, such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) has been assigned a workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 3 mg/m3 and dust from softwood has been assigned a (WEL) of 5 mg/m3. In the previous version all listed woods and composite materials were listed incorrectly as 5 mg/m3. This is printed in this document on pages 50, 66 and 149. The correct statements for reference are below and should be used.
12 Portable tools and equipment used in workshops 12.1 General
COMMENTARY ON 12.1
Attention is drawn to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) [23] with regard to employers preventing, or adequately controlling, exposure by inhalation to wood dust. Dust from hardwood and composite materials, such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) has been assigned a workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 3 mg/m3 and dust from softwood has been assigned a (WEL) of 5 mg/m3. This is a time weighted average over an eight-hour period. For both hardwood, composite and softwood dusts, the COSHH Regulations [23] require employers to ensure that exposure by inhalation is reduced as far as reasonably practicable and in any case to below the WEL (see HSE Woodworking Sheet No 23 (Revision 2) – Wood Dust – Controlling the Risks [54]).
13 Woodworking machinery
13.1 General
COMMENTARY ON 13.1
Attention is drawn to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) [23] with regard to employers preventing, or adequately controlling, exposure by inhalation to wood dust. Dust from hardwood and composite materials, such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) has been assigned a workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 3 mg/m3 and dust from softwood has been assigned a (WEL) of 5 mg/m3. This is a time weighted average over an eight hour period. For both hardwood, composite and softwood dusts, the COSHH Regulations [23] require employers to ensure that exposure by inhalation is reduced as far as reasonably practicable and in any case to below the WEL (see HSE Woodworking Sheet No 23 (Revision 2) – Wood Dust – Controlling the Risks [54]).
20.5.2 Risk control measures.
Regular users of timber materials (especially if sanding is regularly carried out) are at increased risk of cumulative hazards to their nasal and upper respiratory passages. The degree of risk depends on the dust concentration, the length of exposure and the type of material. Dust from hardwood, and composite materials, such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) are assigned an HSE maximum workplace exposure limit (WEL) of 3 mg/m3, and dust from softwood a (WEL) of 5 mg/m3; control measures should be put in place to reduce exposure to the lowest reasonably practicable level.
AMMENDMENT 2
The previous version incorrectly referred to guidance on the use of hot melt glue guns being in 12.14. This should have read 12.19. The correct statement for reference is below and should be used.
20.3 Adhesives
COMMENTARY ON 20.3
Guidance on the use of hot melt glue guns is given in 12.19. Chemical substances and mixtures are classified, labelled and packaged in accordance with CLP Regulation (classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures). Attention is drawn to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) [23] with regard to an assessment of the risks associated with the use, storage and disposal of the substance.
Associated Files
l BS4163 Ammendment Notes.pdf (4)Join Now
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