Many people hear words like fungicide, insecticide, or damp-proof cream, and assume that they present significant danger. The truth is, while the products we use to treat property care concerns can be hazardous to health, the risk often comes from how they’re used.
Incorrect handling, poor ventilation, or changes to control measures can all affect how a chemical substance will affect someone. This is where the UK’s COSHH safety regulations come in, which provide strict procedures and measures designed to protect our technicians, our clients, the public, and the environment from harm caused by the misuse of these chemicals.
In our latest health and safety blog, we’ll discuss what COSHH is, the chemicals Timberwise uses, and the essential protection it offers to both our technicians and clients.
What is COSHH?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, or COSHH, is a series of UK laws that protects employees who might be exposed to dangerous substances in the workplace. These substances could be the chemicals an employee uses in their work, or those created by the conditions that person works in.
COSHH defines a harmful substance as one that could harm your health if used improperly but are preventable if used correctly. The types of substances can vary widely, from blood in a hospital or clinic, to the paint a decorator uses, to flour dust in a bakery.
COSHH compliance involves identifying the health hazards in an environment, using risk assessments to determine the measures to reduce the risk of harm, and making sure these measures are effective. This involves understanding the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each substance to outline how to store them, handle them, dispose of them, and what PPE to use during their use. They also cover what to do in the event of exposure or in case of an emergency. All safety information is then backed up by bespoke safety training for any colleagues using these substances to ensure compliance with a manufacturer’s guidance.
For more information on COSHH, check out our previous blog, The Complete Guide to Health & Safety in Specialist Property Care Work.
The Harmful Substances in Specialist Property Care
Our technicians use a variety of chemicals that are carefully selected to remedy specific property care issues. Most of these chemicals can only be used professionally and carry different hazards than similar products that can be purchased by members of the public. Additionally, technicians also encounter different dangerous substances in the environments they conduct their work in.
Damp Proof Creams
To prevent the spread of rising damp, our technicians often recommend the installation of a replacement damp proof course (DPC). To achieve this, our technicians inject a chemical cream directly into the wall, which, when hardened, creates a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from rising through a wall.
Chemical damp proofing treatments are installed using an application gun or injection device, and have a low odour, making them minimally disruptive to both technicians and occupants. However, they can irritate the skin over prolonged contact and can cause damage to the eyes if accidental contact is made.
Fungicidal Treatments
Whether conducting dry rot treatment or wet rot treatment, fungicidal solutions are an important remedial chemical for both eliminating fungal spores and preventing their regrowth.
Fungicidal treatment involves removing the moisture source causing the outbreak and then treating the spores by either spraying the affected area or creating a toxic box (cordon sanitaire) to prevent the spread of future fungal spores. In addition to irritating the skin, these can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory conditions like asthma.
Insecticidal Treatments
Like fungal decay, insecticidal sprays are used during woodworm treatment to eradicate a current infestation or prevent future recurrence.
Treatment for woodworm involves spraying affected timbers with an insecticidal solution, which renders any woodworm eggs inert and kills off any beetles on or near the surface of the wood. Any deep-seated beetles die upon emerging from the timbers, even several years after treatment has been completed. The chemical used is safe once dry and cured, but can cause nausea if inhaled during spraying, as well as being toxic to pets such as cats or fish while curing.
Airborne Dust and Fungal Spores
Property care is not just about the chemicals we use; it’s also about the environments we work in. Fungal and mould spores are the most likely irritants, but plaster or timber dust can also irritate the eyes and lungs if disturbed during surveying or treatment.
Dust and spores are also linked to causing or worsening respiratory conditions such as asthma. New UK legislation such as Awaab’s Law helps to protect tenants against mouldy and damp environments, which can cause long-standing health concerns if left untreated.
How Timberwise Safely Manages These Hazards
There are several measures we use to protect ourselves and others from the effects of harmful chemicals and irritants.
COSHH Risk Assessments
A COSHH risk assessment first identifies the hazards present in the working environment. These could be the substances an employee works with, or substances that a person can be exposed to within their environment. Often, this is employed alongside or as part of an existing Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) for the property.
After identifying the hazards, it is then important to assess the risks involved with each hazard. This might include how someone might become exposed and the effects of exposure, how often or how long someone is exposed to the substance, and the necessary arrangements required to control these risks.
A completed COSHH risk assessment might reveal additional requirements needed to ensure the protection of any occupants or employees. In these cases, it is then necessary to adjust the behaviours, methods, or equipment used to provide better protection to any inhabitants. Conducting a repeat risk assessment over the course of treatment will ensure that all new measures are having a positive effect or highlight the need for additional improvements.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Many of the environments we encounter and chemicals we use can cause harm or irritate if they encounter the skin, eyes, or lungs. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a key measure in protecting our staff against these hazards.
There is a minimum PPE standard that technicians must adhere to when working on any property, and each task also has specific additional PPE requirements relevant to the hazards involved. All PPE is supplemented by specialist health and safety training, to ensure technicians know exactly when and where to use each piece of protection equipment.
Some of the more common types of PPE we use when using hazardous chemicals include;
- Gloves to protect the hands from chemical spills during application
- Face-fitted respiratory protection with filters to prevent dust or fumes from entering the lungs
- Safety goggles or protective eyewear to stop chemical spills entering the eyes, preventing temporary vision loss or blindness.
- In cases where spray application is required, full body protective clothing to protect the skin from contact with the chemical.
Ventilation and Dust Control
Outside of protecting the individual, adapting the environment (where possible) can also reduce the risk from harmful chemicals or airborne irritants. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992), employers must ‘ensure that enclosed workspaces are ventilated with a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air’ (Health and Safety Executive, 2013).
Ventilation is an ideal solution that removes irritants from the environment. Such measures include;
- Opening windows and doors to create airflow that removes contaminants from the work area
- Using mechanical ventilation, such as extractor fans, to expel contaminants from the work area more quickly
- Using dust extractors, which remove irritants directly from the air instead of allowing them to settle within the work environment
- Using polythene sheeting to cover larger furniture, which can then be removed once work has been completed along with any accumulated dust or chemicals
- Adopting more thorough cleaning procedures, including methods that reduce dust uplift (for example, using a vacuum instead of brushing a floor)
Protecting Residents in Occupied Homes
Another key consideration is protecting the safety of any occupants during treatment. This is especially true for vulnerable occupants, such as children, pets, or those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. We employ several different methods to ensure that the health of anyone living in the property is not adversely affected by our work.
- Polythene sheeting is used to create isolated work areas, ensuring that any dust, spores, or chemicals do not enter any other areas of a property
- Communication around safe access routes and before treatment begins, which ensures technicians can transport any hazardous materials safely without exposing any occupants to them
- Scheduling work around customer’s availability to ensure properties are vacant if necessary to provide a full treatment without exposing occupants to hazardous materials
Environmental Responsibility
Control of harmful materials doesn’t start and end with a single job, it requires responsible storage and disposal to ensure complete protection of others and the environment. Some of these measures include;
- Storing, handling, and decanting chemicals safely, to reduce the likelihood of spillages that could cause harm to either a person or the environment if spilled
- Removal of all fungal and mould-contaminated materials to prevent recurrence upon conclusion of treatment
- Waste disposal compliance, including the use of specialist waste removal companies, to prevent contamination and reduce the likelihood of harm
- Following manufacturer guidance, including safety data sheets, to ensure correct storage and use of any chemicals
Why Specialist Contractors Matter
Specialist contractors, such as those accredited by the PCA and other independent organisations, are regularly audited to ensure that their practices are either consistent or improved upon. That means that you’ll aways get the correct diagnosis for your problem, the correct product at the correct quantity to treat it, applied with the correct tools and method, from a trusted specialist wearing the correct PPE, that disposes of the waste correctly at the end of a task.
Conclusion
The safest substance is always the one used correctly. Property care is about protecting buildings without compromising the health of technicians, occupants, visitors, or the environment. Specialist contractors don’t simply apply the treatments and call it a day; they manage the risk throughout the entire process.
By combining legal compliance like COSHH with the best training methods, and backed up by a positive health and safety culture, specialist contractors ensure that the job is done to the highest standards and the best quality, every time.
FAQs
What is COSHH in Damp Proofing?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations help ensure chemicals used during damp proofing are handled, stored and applied safely to protect contractors, occupants and the environment.
Are Damp Proofing Chemicals Safe in Occupied Homes?
Yes. When applied by trained specialists following COSHH assessments, damp proofing products are designed to be used safely in occupied properties. Contractors use ventilation, PPE, dust containment, and controlled application methods to minimise risk.
Do Timber Treatment Chemicals Pose a Health Risk?
Professional timber treatment products are safe when handled correctly. Specialist contractors use PPE, ventilation, and safe working procedures to minimise exposure while following manufacturer guidance and COSHH regulations.
Why is Ventilation Important During Timber Treatment?
Good ventilation helps reduce airborne concentrations of dust and vapours, protects vulnerable occupants, and supports the safe application and curing of specialist treatment products.
How Do Contractors Protect Residents During Damp Proofing Work?
Professional contractors protect residents by isolating work areas, installing dust barriers, using appropriate ventilation, wearing PPE, communicating clearly with occupants, and following safe waste disposal procedures. Additional protection measures are taken where children, elderly residents, pets, or vulnerable individuals are present.
