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Aging Vapour Degreasing Tanks are a cause for Concern, warns Leading Group

16 April 2007

With six months to go before the use of trichloroethylene is strictly limited, surface preparation experts Wheelabrator Group is warning industries years of solvent use has left many tanks as deadly as the chemical itself.

On October 31, the Solvents Emissions Directive (SED) will come into force restricting emissions from organic solvents, such as trike, to limit worker exposure and protect health.

Clive Ward, general manager of the Clean-Tek range of aqueous cleaning equipment at Wheelabrator Group, said: “Many tanks have endured years of contact with trike and may not be capable of withstanding other solvents.

“It is naïve for many companies to think by simply swapping from trike to another solvent the problem will be remedied. Older tanks could pose a major risk to the health and safety of workers if managers fail to make the necessary equipment checks and upgrades.”

He said: “Managers need to ask themselves three things in relation to re-using their old equipment with an alternative solvent. Is it in an acceptable condition? Will it be able to stand up to different chemical properties? And will it allow you to be acquitted if a health and safety problem leads to legal litigation by your employees?

Mr Ward said overriding factors, such as different boiling points were often overlooked, meaning a new solvent was not simply a like for like product, and could therefore be unsuitable for use in existing tanks.

He said: “Firms will undoubtedly incur costs when switching solvents, as upgrades to existing equipment are extremely likely to be needed. So why not spend this money more wisely by investing in safer cleaning methods, which promote the health and safety of workers and reduces your impact on the environment.”

Earlier this year, Mr Ward expressed concerns that trike was a contributing factor in almost a third off all fatalities in the UK’s surface engineering industry. He warned that as well as hefty fines from the HSE, firms may be hit by increasing compensation claims for associated health problems from affected employees.

He continued: “Aqueous cleaning is no longer the costly process it once was, and is equally effective as solvents for removing grease, oil, dust, tar, carbon, dirt and other contaminants. Top-load, front-load and conveyor spray wash cleaning systems and ultrasonic tanks, are easy to install into established production lines and require minimal training.

I’m urging companies to eradicate solvents from their practices permanently. Using an alternative, in ageing decrepit tanks,is just as dangerous and it wont be long until we see more accidents happen.”

Help can be found by talking to a specialist and reviewing the equipment available. Any companies concerned about problems relating to trike or this legislation may benefit from attending the technical forums Wheelabrator Group will be running later this year.

Wheelabrator Group owns, designs, manufactures and provides wheelblast, airblast and vibratory mass finishing equipment for surface preparation and cleaning, and serves a variety of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive industries. Further information can be found at www.wheelabratorgroup.com

For product enquiries or to arrange a visit to Wheelabrator Group’s Surface Technology Centre, please contact: Brian Rodgers, sales manager, Wheelabrator Group, on 0161 928 6388 or uk-info@wheelabratorgroup.co.uk.

 

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