K C Business Services issues exhaust fumes warning
Equipment provider K C Business Services has emphasised the importance of appropriate workshop ventilation, in order to safeguard staff against health problems resulting from exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. The problem has not gone away with the introduction of tighter vehicle emissions and electric vehicles, says the company.
“As with brake testing and other mandatory procedures, and aside from being compliant with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), this would also fall within the realms of duty of care,” said sales director Chris Lancaster.
“We are all generally more aware of potential dangers than we ever were, taking preventative steps to ensure we are working in a safer environment. Workshop ventilation is no exception. To emphasise the point, we are still selling large numbers of filters into vehicle and machine manufacturers.”
He continued: “A busy multi-bay workshop will, at some point, have at least one or two engines running to perform diagnostic checks or to build up the air supply, for example. If only for a few minutes, this is enough to noticeably contaminate the atmosphere…
“There is some evidence that repeated exposure to diesel fumes over a period of approximately 20 years may increase the risk of lung cancer.”
Lancaster highlights advice from the Health & Safety Executive, which states that: “Under COSHH (as amended), your employer should make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to your health if you are exposed to diesel fumes. They should then take the necessary steps to prevent or adequately control your exposure in the workplace.”
He says that a portable canister-style filter, such as the EHC Teknik L20 filter range, provides an affordable option which avoids the need for costly installations.
Citing an example of an operator who had benefited from the product, Chris Lancaster said: “A manufacturer of coaches had a problem recently with exhaust fumes on their production line – vehicles having to be run to build up air pressure and to maintain battery charge whilst electrical work was carried out.
“The vehicles were then only moved a few metres to the next work station. A fixed rail system was seen as cost-prohibitive and would not allow the flexibility of the production process. The L20 filters were seen to be the answer, offering the practicality of simple use with the flexibility of staying on the vehicle during the production process.”
K C Business Services are the official UK and Ireland agents for the EHC Teknik range of exhaust emission filters.
