Analysis of HSE Bodyshop visits

1
Analysis of HSE Bodyshop visits

• April - 9 August 2007

2
Numbers action taken

• 109 visits

3
Interesting cases
4
Interesting cases - Consequences

• Persons seen Mr . (Owner). Owner in the process
  of selling business due to ill health issues
  relating to occupational asthma.

5
Interesting cases Easy visit

• MVR, service, spraying bodywork all carried out
  on site. Employ approx 40 people.
• One spray booth mixing room in bodyshop
  department. Clearance times displayed on the
  door.
• Gun cleaner enclosed extracted. Spray booths on
  service contract, includes testing, monitoring
  filter changes. COSHH 14 monthlys carried out.
• Some employees aware of health risks from
  isocyanates. Advised what early signs symptoms
  might occur.

6
Interesting cases Easy visit continued

• Discussed issues with raising mask during
  spraying exposure during gun cleaning.
  Sprayers use Air fed visors, coveralls vinyl or
  nitrile gloves. Compressor located in clean
  unpolluted area of the premises.
• Co. have health surveillance in place done by an
  external provider- includes lung function test
  skin checks. Co. provide pre-work creams
  (barrier creams) other moisturising creams. Hot
  cold washing facilities are available for use.
  No further action required.

7
Interesting cases Nearly there

• Met (Panel beater) - Bodywork only premises
  VBRA member -paperwork up to date - proprietary
  spray booth mixing room - started talking about
  clearance times, they have bought a smoke machine
  but haven't done the test yet, v. aware of
  isocyanate hazards, switched to water based, but
  topcoat still 2 pack. Spoke with sprayer, aware
  of risks under HS, lung function skin checks

8
Interesting cases Lenient?

• Met Mr H (owner) - 2 employees (PT). Small
  bodyshop - very poor standards. Concentrated
  solely on asthma as this was most pressing
  concern much improvement required.
• No spray booth or LEV at all, unsuitable RPE. No
  LEV on gun cleaner no lid either- All
  improvement notices.
• No flammables store - IN. No suitable mixing room
  electric socket beside gun cleaner. Advised.
  Attempting to bring this dutyholder up to some
  suitable level - many improvements will be
  required over above this- these changes are
  likely to be bare minimum compliance but have to
  consider SFARP argument - only Mr H sprays
  business not that great. Other info sent - eg
  health surveillance, dermatitis but concentrating
  on main concerns.

9
Interesting cases - Tenacious

• Met .. - worker. Four other men in garage walked
  away when I started asking questions (all men
  were foreigners). Mr said the four cars in the
  garage were owned by him he was just borrowing
  the garage not working there. Details of cars
  taken down, letter written to DVLA for
  confirmation.
• A van reversed down the alley stopped at the
  garage, the driver was very abusive towards me,
  swore drove off when I took down his number
  plate ID.
• MEC - The garage was in very poor condition, with
  a home made spray booth, clear evidence of
  spraying. Numerous ignition sources in the
  spraying area without any form of protection. No
  LEV. Large sheets of plastic nailed to ceiling
  hanging down, which I was told was to stop leaks
  (water?).

10
Interesting cases Tenacious continued

• IRF score of 4's recorded for poor / non -
  existent control measures for spraying / mixing
  isocyanates. Consequently 3 PN's issued on owners
  leaseholders of the building in question, as
  impossible to determine dutyholder via
  employment.
• Visited Gravesham LA to carry out Land Registry
  search to identify the owners of the building.
  PN's written out hand delivered to 3 separate
  persons identified on search. Further supporting
  information gathered from Gravesham EHO
  Planning Enforcement. PN's served on .., .. ...
  
• 02/08/07 - Visited site to ensure compliance with
  Notice. No work going on garage locked up.
  Spoke to .. at ..Motors opposite who said work
  stopped on Friday.

11
Interesting cases - Partnership

• Concern passed on by Env Health Officer.
  Premises carry out motor vehicle repairs/spray
  painting. She thinks work should be prohibited as
  there is a makeshift spraybooth, no health
  arrangements, dust spray everywhere.
• PN 300639286 - Health Safety at work etc Act
  1974 S 2(1)
• Control of substances Hazardous to Health (as
  amended) 2002 Reg 7
• Local exhaust ventilation system inoperative.

12
Interesting cases Fred in Shed

• JV with Nigel Black (Occ. Hygiene). Met ..
  (Owner). No employees. Small tidy spray shop. One
  self-made spray booth with basic extraction unit.
  Conducted smoke clearance test over 15 mins
  clearance. No air fed mask. PN issued for
  isocyanate use without one. (Mr .. got one next
  day). Only works occasionally on small touch up
  jobs.

13
Interesting cases FiS 2

• Met (Owner). Employs 3 s/e mechanics. Claims to
  do all body work spraying himself at night.
  Clearly using 2 pack hardeners containing
  isocyanates. No air fed mask, no booth, poor
  extraction lighting is not explosion proof. PN
  issued.

14
Interesting cases Good standards in small
undertaking

• 3 employees (inc owner) 1 admin. Body repair
  only. HS poster displayed.
• Has spray booth (uses isocyanates), clearance
  time displayed, masks stored correctly, does lung
  function tests 12 monthly for sprayer, also
  noise/hearing test for employees.
• Spray booth operates under -ve pressure (shown
  gauge in operation).
• Gets 4 post lift LOLER tester every 6 months,
  compressor examined ever 12 months. Unsure if LEV
  in spray booth tested ever 14 months (says 12-24
  months) HS management (particularly health)
  impressive for small size of business.

15
Summary

• Wide variety of premises visited
• Messages on isocyanates are getting out to
  operators
• Biological monitoring being promoted by issuing
  free samples but not regularly recorded.
• Back-street facilities being visited not just
  larger bodyshops
• Action being taken against poor standards
• Not just large companies who are implementing
  good practice.