Due to concerns over exposure to lead, the soldering industry has moved toward the use of lead free solders; these tend to be a tin/copper alloy. In order to compensate for the removal of lead another flux substance has to be used to aid the flow of the solder. One of the most commonly used fluxes is rosin or colophony. When heated, rosin creates fumes (known as Rosin Based Solder Flux Fume – RBSFF). This fume is composed of two fractions, the particulate fraction contains rosin sublimates and thermal decomposition products, which are predominantly a mixture of diterpentine acids, this fraction makes up approximately 90 % of the total fume. The remaining gaseous phase of the fume is composed of low molecular weight organic compounds including acetone, methyl alcohol, aliphatic aldehydes and other hydrocarbons.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the government body responsible for the regulation and enforcement of work related risks to people in the work place. Dust & fume exposure is a key element of the COSHH 2002 (Control of Substances Hazard to Health) regulations setting out exposure limits, preventative guidelines and on going reductions of the contact between people and hazardous gas and particulates. Under COSHH, companies must take steps to prevent, control, maintain and monitor dust and fume exposure in the workplace, as laid out in regulation 9.
A comprehensive LEV report will also be produced for each piece of LEV equipment tested. All of our LEV reports include photos and/or schematic diagrams showing all test point locations, which are also clearly identified on the ducting as required by the HSE. This includes the following in line with guidance from HSG258: Following an inspection, our professional LEV consultant will mark the LEV system as a pass or fail. We will also assist you in improving all control measures where necessary.
How Welding Supplies Direct can help ? WE will carry out a thorough tests in line with COSHH Regulation 9 as detailed in HSE Guide HSG258 Our levels of service can be tailored to your Companies needs. However, most clients choose to take advantage of by combining servicing with the LEV testing. Read more info on HSE LEV Testing.
The requirement for competence for suppliers of goods and services means that the extent and depth of their knowledge and capability must be sufficient to assess and solve the problems they are likely to meet. The more complex a control scenario is and the more serious the results of failure, the greater the degree of competence required. Many trades recognise levels of competence based on qualifications and tests of capability, as well as experience of successful problem-solving over a number of years.