Health and Safety

Executive

Making
P3
31 photopolymer
plates
COSHH essentials
for printers Flexographic printing

This information is intended Access and premises

to help employers in the
printing industry comply ✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the pre-press area.
with the requirements of ✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Equipment
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health. ✓ Provide a good standard of general ventilation. Use powered wall- or
window-mounted fans to supply fresh air - five to ten air changes per
It is also useful for trade union safety hour, with a through draught.
representatives.

This sheet describes good practice for

developing and washing photopolymer
plates and forms in an enclosed unit.

It is important to follow all the points

or use equally effective measures.

Main points
■ Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
■ Minimise skin contact with fixers
and plate developers.
■ Protect eyes and skin from UV Photopolymer plate machine with extraction
light.

✓ Provide splash-resistant gloves.

✓ Use automatic processors with closed panels and closed liquid
transfers (solutions pumped from reservoirs and to waste containers).
✓ Provide extraction on the wash-out unit and, where air knives are used,
to prevent leaks into the workplace.
✓ You need an airflow between 0.5 and 1 metre per second into the
washer openings.
✓ Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
✓ Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from
doors, windows and air inlets.
✓ Stand drums of developers solution etc in shallow trays to contain
spills.
✓ Screen UV exposure units with shutters, blinds or wraparound curtains.
Flexographic printing P31

Maintenance, examination and testing

✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
✓ If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straight-away.
✓ Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.
✓ At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
✓ You need to know the manufacturer's performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
✓ If this information isn't available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
✓ The engineer's report must show the target extraction rates.
✓ Keep this information in your testing logbook.
✓ Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
✓ Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment

✓ Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when

not in use.

Respiratory protective equipment

✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine use.

Protective gloves
✓ Use splash-resistant gloves where there is a risk of skin contact -
single-use nitrile gloves 0.2 mm thick are acceptable.
✓ Tell workers to dispose of single-use gloves every time they take
them off.

Other protective equipment

✓ Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
✓ Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
✓ Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.
Flexographic printing P31

Cleaning and housekeeping

Employee checklist
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week. Is the workroom
✓ Store containers in a safe place, securely closed. ventilation switched on and
✓ Handle containers with care and replace caps. Wipe off any liquid on working properly?
the outside of the container.
✓ Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new nitrile Is the machine extraction
gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw away gloves once used. switched on and working
✓ Dispose of waste solutions and empty containers as hazardous waste. properly?
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Look for signs of wear
Don't do this at home.
and damage.

Training and supervision If you find any problems,

tell your supervisor or safety/
✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and employee representative.
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0. Don't just carry on working.

Wear your protective

Environmental guidelines
equipment as directed.
Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention Throw away single-use
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment gloves every time you take
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on them off.
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information, Don't use damaged
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/. gloves.

Never use solvents to

Further information
clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.
■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition) HSE Books
2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3 Use skin creams
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1) HSE Books provided, as instructed.
2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15 ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202 Check your skin regularly
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9 for dryness or soreness - tell
■ Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54 your supervisor if these
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9 appear.

Wash your hands before

Useful links
eating and drinking and
before you leave work.
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who Don't smoke in the work
can help you. area.

Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and

'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
32
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
mixing and diluting solvent-borne inks
in smaller-scale printing operations in
an extracted booth.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Main points
■ Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
■ Minimise skin contact with inks
and dilution solvents.
Health and Safety
Executive
Mixing solvent-borne inks
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the mixing room.
✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
✓ Use water-borne products
wherever possible.
✓ Provide a good standard of
general ventilation. Use
powered wall- or window-
mounted fans to supply fresh
air - five to ten air changes per
hour, with a through draught.
✓ Provide splash-resistant gloves.
✓ Provide vapour extraction for
ink mixing/diluting - see
illustration.
✓ Provide pumped transfer
Minimum airflow
systems or dispensing aids. Minimum airflow
0.5 m/sec
0.5 m/sec
Avoid hand-pouring inks and
reducers. Extraction booth for ink mixing
✓ Locate the booth away from
doors, windows and walkways. Draughts may interfere with the
extraction.
✓ You need an airflow between 0.5 and 1 metre per second across the
top of the mixing vessel.
✓ Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
✓ Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from doors,
windows and air inlets.
Maintenance, examination and testing
✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
✓ If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
✓ Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.
✓ At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
Flexographic printing P32

✓ You need to know the manufacturer's performance specifications to

know if extraction is working properly.
✓ If this information isn't available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
✓ The engineer's report must show the target extraction rates.
✓ Keep this information in your testing log-book.
✓ Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
✓ Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

✓ Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not

in use.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine use.

Gloves
✓ Use splash-resistant gloves - single-use nitrile gloves, 0.2 mm thick
are acceptable.
✓ Ensure that workers wear them.
✓ Tell workers to dispose of single-use gloves every time they take
them off.

Other protective equipment

✓ Eye protection.
✓ Impervious apron.
✓ Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
✓ Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
✓ Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.
Flexographic printing P32

Cleaning and housekeeping

✓ Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of ink contamination.
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week.
✓ Store containers in a safe place, securely closed.
✓ Handle containers with care and replace caps. Wipe off any liquid on
the outside of the container.
✓ Clean up spills immediately with absorbent granules or cloths. Use new
nitrile gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw away gloves once used.
✓ Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.
✓ Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don't do this at home.

Training and supervision

✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.

Further information

■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition)

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
■ Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation
HSG54 (Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 14859
■ Fire and explosion: How safe is your workplace? A short guide to the
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Leaflet INDG370 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of
5 ISBN 0 7176 2589 3)
Flexographic printing P32

Useful links
Employee checklist
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on Is the workroom
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who ventilation switched on and
can help you. working properly?

Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and Is the machine extraction
'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors switched on and working
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/. properly?

Look for signs of wear

and damage.

If you find any problems,

tell your supervisor or safety/
employee representative.
Don't just carry on working.

Clean up spills
straightaway – use protective
gloves, then throw them
away.

Never use solvents to

clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don't smoke in the work

area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
33
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
printing using solvent-borne inks with
heat or forced air drying. Use
extraction for solvent vapour.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Main points
■ Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
■ Minimise skin contact with inks
and cleaning chemicals.
Health and Safety
Executive
Printing with
solvent-borne inks
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the press room.
✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
✓ Use water-borne products wherever possible.
✓ Can you use pumped ink transfer systems?
✓ Screen UV curing units with fixed or interlocked covers. Avoid leaks of
UV light.
✓ Provide vapour extraction at open ink ducts, printing units and dryers.
✓ Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
✓ You need an air-flow between 0.5 and 1 metre per second into the
machine openings.
✓ Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from
doors, windows and air inlets.
extraction
extraction extraction
Extraction on a flexographic press with forced air drying
Maintenance, examination and testing
✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
✓ If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
✓ Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.
Flexographic printing P33

✓ At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
✓ You need to know the manufacturer's performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
✓ If this information isn't available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
✓ The engineer's report must show the target extraction rates.
✓ Keep this information in your testing logbook.
✓ Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
✓ Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.
✓ Ensure users examine their RPE thoroughly and test that it works
properly every time they use it.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine use.

Gloves
✓ Gloves are not needed for routine use.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
✓ Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.

Cleaning and housekeeping

✓ Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of combustible materials.
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week.
✓ Provide fire-resisting, metal bins with well-fitting lids to hold solvent-
soaked cloths.
✓ Minimise the amount of flammable liquids in use. Use a self-sealing
container or proprietary dispenser.
✓ Store containers in a safe place, securely closed.
✓ Handle containers with care and replace caps.
Flexographic printing P33

✓ Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new nitrile

gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw away gloves once used.
✓ Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.
✓ Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don't do this at home.
✓ Replace covers on ink ducts immediately.

Training and supervision

✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.

Further information

■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition)

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
■ Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9
■ Fire and explosion: How safe is your workplace? A short guide to the
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Leaflet INDG370 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of
5 ISBN 0 7176 2589 3)
Flexographic printing P33

Useful links Employee checklist

Is the workroom
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
ventilation switched on and
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who
working properly?
can help you.
Look for signs of wear
Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and and damage.
'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors
If you find any problems,
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/.
tell your supervisor or safety/
employee representative.
Don't just carry on working.

Wear your protective

equipment as directed.

Throw away protective

gloves at the end of the shift.

Don't use damaged

gloves.

Never use solvents to

clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Co-operate with health

surveillance for dermatitis.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don't smoke in the

work area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
34
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
mixing UV-curable inks used in
smaller-scale printing operations.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Main points
■ Avoid skin contact with UV-
curable inks - these can cause
dermatitis.
■ Carry out health surveillance for
dermatitis.
■ Check the supplier's safety data
sheet - the ink should conform to
the 'Acrylate Preference Criteria'.
If not, seek advice from your
supplier.
Health and Safety
Executive
Mixing UV-curable
inks
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the mixing room.
✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
✓ Provide a good standard of general ventilation. Use powered wall- or
window-mounted fans to supply fresh air - five to ten air changes per
hour, with a through draught.
✓ Can you use pumped ink transfer systems?
✓ Can you avoid mixing by pumping the chemicals to the applicator
head?
✓ Provide chemical-resistant gloves.
✓ Use UV-curable inks and coatings that conform to the Acrylate
Preference Criteria.
✓ Stand containers in shallow trays to contain spills.
Maintenance, examination and testing
✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
✓ Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not
in use.
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine
use.
Gloves
✓ Use chemical resistant gloves – nitrile gloves 0.4 mm thick are
acceptable. These are suitable for splash protection only, for no more
than 30 minutes.
✓ Ensure that workers wear them.
✓ Minimise hand-wiping
✓ Ensure workers remove and discard damaged gloves.
Flexographic printing P34

Other protective equipment

✓ Eye protection.
✓ Impervious apron.
✓ Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
✓ Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with UV-curable inks and coatings may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Health surveillance for dermatitis is required. See sheet P45.
✓ Seek advice from an occupational health professional in setting up a
health surveillance programme.
✓ Start surveillance for new workers within six weeks of their starting
work. Then check at monthly intervals or as advised by your health
professional.

Cleaning and housekeeping

✓ Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of ink contamination.
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week.
✓ Handle containers with care and replace caps. Wipe off any liquid on
the outside of the container.
✓ Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new nitrile
gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw away gloves once used.
✓ Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.
✓ Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don't do this at home.

Training and supervision

✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.
✓ Warn about the dermatitis risk from UV-curable inks.
Flexographic printing P34

Environmental guidelines Employee checklist

Is the workroom
Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
ventilation switched on and
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
working properly?
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the Look for signs of wear
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information, and damage.
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.
If you find any problems,
tell your supervisor or safety/
Further information
employee representative.
Don't just carry on working.
■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition)
HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3 Wear your protective
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1) equipment as directed.
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
Throw away protective
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
gloves at the end of the job.
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9 Don't use damaged
gloves.
Useful links
Never use solvents to
clean your hands - only use
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
proprietary skin cleansers.
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who
can help you. Use skin creams
provided, as instructed.
Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and
Check your skin regularly
'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors
for dryness or soreness - tell
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/.
your supervisor if these
appear.

Co-operate with health

surveillance for dermatitis.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don't smoke in the work

area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
35
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
printing using UV-curable inks. Use
extraction for any ozone produced.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Main points
■ Avoid skin contact with UV-
curable inks - these can cause
dermatitis.
■ Carry out health surveillance for
dermatitis.
■ Check the supplier's safety data
sheet - the ink should conform to
the 'Acrylate Preference Criteria'.
If not, seek advice from your
supplier.
■ Protect eyes and skin from UV
light.
Health and Safety
Executive
Printing with
UV-curable inks
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the press room.
✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking refreshments.
Equipment
✓ Can you use pumped ink transfer systems?
✓ Provide a good standard of general ventilation. Use powered wall- or
window-mounted fans to supply fresh air - five to ten air changes per
hour, with a through draught.
✓ Screen UV curing units with fixed or interlocked covers. Avoid leaks of
UV light.
✓ Wire in ozone extraction to the UV lamp power supply. For air-cooled
lamps, you need an inward air flow between 0.5 and 1 metre per
second at openings.
✓ Consider using water-cooled UV lamps. These generate less ozone.
✓ Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
✓ Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from
doors, windows and air inlets.
✓ Provide splash-resistant gloves.
✓ Use UV-curable inks and coatings that conform to the Acrylate
Preference Criteria.
extraction
Extraction on a flexographic press
Maintenance, examination and testing
✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
Flexographic printing P35

✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.

✓ If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
✓ Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.
✓ Ensure that screens on the UV units are secure and any interlocks are
in working order.
✓ At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
✓ You need to know the manufacturer's performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
✓ If this information isn't available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
✓ The engineer's report must show the target extraction rates.
✓ Keep this information in your testing log-book.
✓ Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
✓ Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

✓ Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not

in use.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine use.

Gloves
✓ Use splash-resistant gloves where there is a risk of skin contact -
single-use nitrile gloves 0.2 mm thick are acceptable.
✓ Tell workers to dispose of single-use gloves every time they take
them off.

Other protective equipment

✓ Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
✓ Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with UV-curable inks and coatings may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier. However,
pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Health surveillance for dermatitis is required. See sheet P45.
✓ Seek advice from an occupational health professional in setting up a
health surveillance programme.
Flexographic printing P35

✓ Start surveillance for new workers within six weeks of their starting
work. Then check at monthly intervals or as advised by your health
professional.

Cleaning and housekeeping

✓ Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of ink contamination.
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week.
✓ Store containers in a safe place, securely closed.
✓ Handle containers with care and replace caps. Wipe off any liquid on
the outside of the container.
✓ Clean up spills immediately. Use new nitrile gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw
away gloves once used.
✓ Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.
✓ Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous waste.
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don't do this at home.

Training and supervision

✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.
✓ Warn about the dermatitis risk from UV-curable inks.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.

Further information

■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition)

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
■ Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9
Flexographic printing P35

Useful links
Employee checklist
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on Is the workroom
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who ventilation switched on and
can help you. working properly?

Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and Is the machine extraction
'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors switched on and working
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/. properly?

Look for signs of wear

and damage.

If you find any problems,

tell your supervisor or safety/
employee representative.
Don't just carry on working.

Throw away single use

gloves every time you take
them off.

Never use solvents to

clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Co-operate with health

surveillance for dermatitis.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don't smoke in the work

area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
36
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers’ health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
on-press cleaning of presses.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Solvent-borne cleaners may be
flammable.
Main points
I Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
I Minimise skin contact with inks
and cleaning chemicals.
I Solvent-based cleaners can be
absorbed through the skin.
Health and Safety
Executive
On-press cleaning
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
 Only allow authorised staff access to the press room.
 Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
 Use closed pump transfer for
cleaning solvents.
 Provide a good standard of
general ventilation. Use
powered wall- or window-
mounted fans to supply fresh
air - five to ten air changes
per hour, with a through
draught.
 Can you use cleaning
products with lower
volatility/higher flashpoint?
 Minimise the risk of skin Cleaning a flexo press
contact with ink - scrape
parts as clean as possible before manual cleaning.
 Can you use a wiping tool in place of rags or cloths? Minimise hand
wiping.
 Provide chemical-resistant gloves.
 If extraction is fitted to the press, turn it on for cleaning. The press
should be stationary.
 Provide a good through draught with a fan or air mover for work in
restricted areas, eg removing ink from cylinders, work in dead spaces
between machines.
Special care
 Skin contact with UV-curable inks can cause dermatitis.
Maintenance, examination and testing
 Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
 Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
 If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
 Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
Flexographic printing P36

 Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.

 At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
 You need to know the manufacturer’s performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
 If this information isn’t available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
 The engineer’s report must show the target extraction rates.
 Keep this information in your testing logbook.
 Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

 Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not

in use.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

 RPE may be needed for on-press cleaning.
 Provide a half-mask respirator and organic vapour filter with an
assigned protection factor (APF) of 10 or more. See sheet P48.
 Ensure users examine their RPE thoroughly and test that it works
properly every time they use it.

Gloves
 Use chemical-resistant gloves. Natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves,
1 mm thick, perform well for up to 30 minutes. Seek glove
manufacturers advice for tasks that take longer than 30 minutes.
 Ensure that workers wear them.
 Ensure workers remove and discard damaged gloves.

Other protective equipment

 Eye protection.
 Impervious apron.
 Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
 Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

 Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
 Keep hands clean and in good condition.
 Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier. However,
pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for gloves.
 If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
 Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
 Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.
Flexographic printing P36

Skin surveillance/checks
 Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
 Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.

Cleaning and housekeeping

 Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of combustible materials.
 Handle containers with care and replace caps.
 Clean the workroom at least once a week.
 Provide fire-resisting, metal bins with well-fitting lids to hold solvent-
soaked cloths.
 Minimise the amount of flammable liquids in use. Use a self-sealing
container or proprietary dispenser.
 Store containers in a safe place, securely closed.
 Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new gloves.
Throw away gloves once used.
 Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.
 Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste
 Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don’t do this at home.
 Control panels also require cleaning.

Training and supervision

 Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.

Further information

I The printer’s guide to health and safety (Second edition)

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
I Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
I General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
I Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9
Flexographic printing P36

I Fire and explosion: How safe is your workplace? A short guide to the Employee checklist
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Is the workroom
Leaflet INDG370 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of
ventilation switched on and
5 ISBN 0 7176 2589 3)
working properly?
I Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53
(Third edition) HSE Books 2005 ISBN 0 7176 2904 X Is the machine extraction
switched on and working
Useful links properly?
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
Look for signs of wear
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who
and damage.
can help you.
If you find any problems,
Look in Yellow Pages under ‘Health and safety consultants’ and tell your supervisor or safety/
‘Health authorities and services’ for occupational physicians (doctors employee representative.
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/. Don’t just carry on working.

Wear your protective

equipment as directed.

Check your RPE works

properly every time you use it.

Throw away protective

gloves at the end of the job.

Don’t use damaged

gloves.

Remember that gloves

increase the risk of
entanglement with rollers and
cylinders.

Never use solvents to

clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don’t smoke in the work

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following area.
the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 02/07 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
37
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers’ health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
off-press cleaning of cylinders, rollers,
side panels, splash guards and other
removable press components, in an
extracted booth.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Solvent-borne cleaners may be
flammable.
Main points
I Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
I Minimise skin contact with inks
and cleaning chemicals.
I Solvent-based cleaners (eg
solvent naphtha) can be absorbed
through the skin.
Health and Safety
Executive
Manual off-press
cleaning
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
 Only allow authorised staff access to the cleaning area.
 Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
Hinged lid
 Can you use cleaning
products with lower
volatility/higher flashpoint?
 Minimise the risk of skin
contact with ink - scrape
parts as clean as possible Airflow Draining
0.5 m/sec shelf
before manual cleaning.
 Provide a good standard of
general ventilation. Use
powered wall- or window-
mounted fans to supply fresh
air - five to ten air changes
per hour, with a through Off-press cleaning booth
draught.
 Use an enclosed, extracted booth - see illustration.
 Provide chemical-resistant gloves.
 Use closed pump transfer for cleaning solvents.
 You need an airflow between 0.5 and 1 metre per second into the
booth.
 Locate the booth away from doors, windows and walkways. Draughts
may interfere with the extraction.
 Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
 Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from
doors, windows and air inlets.
 Keep extraction ducts short and simple, and solvent- and fire-resistant.
 Provide a draining board in the booth, so parts can dry before they are
removed.
Special care
 Skin contact with UV-curable inks can cause dermatitis.
Flexographic printing P37

Maintenance, examination and testing

 Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
 Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
 If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
 Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
 At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
 You need to know the manufacturer’s performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
 If this information isn’t available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
 The engineer’s report must show the target extraction rates.
 Keep this information in your testing logbook.
 Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

 Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when

not in use.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

 RPE may be needed when using some solvents in a larger booth, to
reduce vapour inhalation.
 Provide a half-mask respirator and organic vapour filter with an
assigned protection factor (APF) of 10 or more. See sheet P48.
 Ensure users examine their RPE thoroughly and test that it works
properly every time they use it.

Gloves
 Use chemical-resistant gloves. Natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves,
1 mm thick, perform well for up to 30 minutes. Seek glove
manufacturers advice for tasks that take longer than 30 minutes.
 Ensure that workers wear them.
 Ensure workers remove and discard damaged gloves.

Other protective equipment

 Eye protection.
 Impervious apron.
 Cotton overalls to minimise clothing contamination.
 Change contaminated overalls immediately and ensure they are
laundered before reuse.

Skin management

 Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Flexographic printing P37

Skin care
 Keep hands clean and in good condition.
 Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
 If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
 Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
 Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.

Skin surveillance/checks
 Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
 Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.

Cleaning and housekeeping

 Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of combustible materials.
 Clean the workroom at least once a week.
 Minimise the amount of flammable liquids in use. Use a self-sealing
container or proprietary dispenser.
 Store containers in a safe place, securely closed.
 Handle containers with care and replace caps.
 Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new gloves.
Throw away gloves once used.
 Keep ink, solvents and solid wastes out of the drains.
 Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.
 Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.
 Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don’t do this at home.

Training and supervision

 Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.
Flexographic printing P37

Further information Employee checklist

Is the workroom
I The printer’s guide to health and safety (Second edition)
ventilation switched on and
HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
working properly?
I Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15 Is the machine extraction
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X) switched on and working
I General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202 properly?
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
Look for signs of wear
I Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54
and damage.
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9
I Fire and explosion: How safe is your workplace? A short guide to the If you find any problems,
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations tell your supervisor or safety/
Leaflet INDG370 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs employee representative.
of 5 ISBN 0 7176 2589 3) Don’t just carry on working.
I Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53
Wear your protective
(Third edition) HSE Books 2005 ISBN 0 7176 2904 X
equipment as directed.

Useful links Check your RPE works

properly every time you use it.
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
Throw away protective
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who
gloves at the end of the job.
can help you.
Don’t use damaged
Look in Yellow Pages under ‘Health and safety consultants’ and gloves.
‘Health authorities and services’ for occupational physicians (doctors
Never use solvents to
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/.
clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don’t smoke in the work

area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 02/07 Published by the Health and Safety Executive

P3
38
COSHH essentials
for printers
This information is intended
to help employers in the
printing industry comply
with the requirements of
the Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
(COSHH), as amended, to control
exposure to chemicals and protect
workers' health.
It is also useful for trade union safety
representatives.
This sheet describes good practice for
off-press cleaning of cylinders, rollers,
side panels, splash guards and other
removable press components, in an
enclosed spray washer.
It is important to follow all the points
or use equally effective measures.
Solvent-borne cleaners may be
flammable.
Main points
■ Dermatitis is common in printing.
This is caused by frequent
contact with chemicals used in
printing processes.
■ Minimise skin contact with inks
and cleaning chemicals.
Health and Safety
Executive
Automated off-press
cleaning
Flexographic printing
Access and premises
✓ Only allow authorised staff access to the cleaning area.
✓ Provide good facilities for washing, skin care, and for taking
refreshments.
Equipment
✓ Use closed pump transfer for
cleaning solvents.
Door interlocked
✓ Provide a good standard of to cleaning cycle
general ventilation. Use
powered wall- or window-
mounted fans to supply fresh
air - five to ten air changes
per hour, with a through
draught.
✓ You need an airflow between
0.5 and 1 metre per second
Automatic off-press cleaning
into the washer openings. of print press components
✓ Fit a manometer, pressure gauge or tell-tale to show that extraction is
working.
✓ Discharge extracted air to a safe place in the open air, away from
doors, windows and air inlets.
✓ Provide splash-resistant gloves.
✓ Enclose the washer as much as possible - see illustration.
✓ Ensure the washer doors are interlocked with the cleaning cycle, which
should include time for drying.
✓ Keep extraction ducts short and simple, and solvent- and fire-resistant.
✓ Keep spent solvent and ink residues out of the sewage system.
Special care
✓ Check that there are no 'confined spaces', eg sludge pit. If there are,
create 'permit to-work' safety procedures for entry.
Maintenance, examination and testing
✓ Follow the instructions in the maintenance manual - keep equipment in
effective and efficient working order.
✓ Noisy or vibrating fans indicate a problem. Do repairs as necessary.
✓ If the machine extraction stops, or is faulty, get it repaired straightaway.
✓ Don’t alter, add or remove extraction without specialist advice.
Flexographic printing P38

✓ Check transfer hoses and connectors regularly for leaks.

✓ Don't enter the washer until it is safe - check the solvent and oxygen
levels.
✓ At least once a week, check that the extraction system and gauges
work properly.
✓ You need to know the manufacturer's performance specifications to
know if extraction is working properly.
✓ If this information isn't available, hire a competent ventilation engineer
to determine the performance needed for effective control.
✓ The engineer's report must show the target extraction rates.
✓ Keep this information in your testing logbook.
✓ Get a competent ventilation engineer to examine the extraction
thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months -
see HSE publication HSG54.
✓ Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

✓ Provide storage for PPE to prevent damage or contamination when not

in use.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

✓ Respiratory protective equipment should not be needed for routine use.
✓ If you need to enter the washer or sump, use supplied-air RPE
(breathing apparatus). See sheet P50.
✓ Visually check compressed airlines for damage before use.
✓ Ensure users examine their RPE thoroughly and test that it works
properly every time they use it.
✓ Check the airflow and air quality (BS 4275) for air-fed RPE at least
once every three months.

Gloves
✓ Use splash-resistant gloves where there is a risk of skin contact -
single-use nitrile gloves 0.2 mm thick are acceptable.
✓ Tell workers to dispose of single-use gloves every time they take
them off.

Skin management

✓ Skin contact with the chemicals may cause dermatitis.

Skin care
✓ Keep hands clean and in good condition.
✓ Using pre-work creams helps make removing chemicals easier.
However, pre-work creams should not be seen as a substitute for
gloves.
✓ If you need to use hand cleansers to remove ink, ensure that the
cleanser is rinsed off afterwards.
✓ Provide after-work creams (moisturisers) to replace skin oils.
✓ Never allow solvents to be used for cleaning skin.
Flexographic printing P38

Skin surveillance/checks
✓ Consider seeking advice from an occupational health professional.
✓ Appoint a responsible person to carry out periodic skin inspections and
record the findings.

Cleaning and housekeeping

✓ Keep the work area tidy, clean and free of combustible materials.
✓ Store contaminated cloths, wipes and gloves in fire-resisting, closed,
metal containers. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.
✓ Use a contract laundry or a suitable equivalent to wash work clothing.
Don't do this at home.
✓ Clean the workroom at least once a week.
✓ Clean up spills immediately. Use an impervious apron and new nitrile
gloves 0.4 mm thick. Throw away gloves once used.
✓ Keep ink, solvents and solid wastes out of the drains.
✓ Dispose of waste solvent, ink and empty containers as hazardous
waste.

Training and supervision

✓ Working in the right way is important for exposure control. Train and
supervise workers - see details in sheet P0.

Environmental guidelines

Releases into the air may be regulated within the Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) framework. Your local authority or the Environment
Agency will tell you if PPC applies to your company, and give advice on
air cleaning and discharging emissions to the air. In Scotland, consult the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). For more information,
see http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/sectors/.

Further information

■ The printer's guide to health and safety (Second edition)

HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2267 3
■ Skin problems in the printing industry Leaflet IACL101(rev1)
HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of 15
ISBN 0 7176 2322 X)
■ General ventilation in the workplace: Guidance for employers HSG202
HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 1793 9
■ Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation HSG54
(Second edition) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1485 9
■ Fire and explosion: How safe is your workplace? A short guide to the
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Leaflet INDG370 HSE Books 2002 (single copy free or priced packs of
5 ISBN 0 7176 2589 3)
■ Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53
(Third edition) HSE Books 2005 ISBN 0 7176 2904 X
Flexographic printing P38

Useful links Employee checklist

Is the workroom
Contact the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) on
ventilation switched on and
01332 298101 or at www.bohs.org/ for lists of qualified hygienists who
working properly?
can help you.
Is the machine extraction
Look in Yellow Pages under 'Health and safety consultants' and switched on and working
'Health authorities and services' for occupational physicians (doctors properly?
and nurses). Also see www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/.
Look for signs of wear
and damage.

If you find any problems,

tell your supervisor or safety/
employee representative.
Don't just carry on working.

Wear your protective

equipment as directed.

Check your respiratory

protective equipment works
properly every time you use it.

Throw away single-use

gloves every time you take
them off.

Don't use damaged

gloves.

Never use solvents to

clean your hands - only use
proprietary skin cleansers.

Use skin creams

provided, as instructed.

Check your skin regularly

for dryness or soreness - tell
your supervisor if these
appear.

Wash your hands before

eating and drinking and
before you leave work.

Don't smoke in the work

area.

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following

the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action.
But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to
comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure
compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating
good practice.

COSHH essentials for printers 11/05 Published by the Health and Safety Executive