Whether we are offering advice for spray booth operators or our engineers are working hands-on themselves to test equipment, health and safety remains at the forefront of everything we do, not only for those operating machinery but for anyone who enters the workshop. Considering that vigilance with regulation is our speciality, the introduction of Covid-19 safety laws in workshops is no challenge but something we must add to our lists of priority actions. Read on to find the latest Covid-19 workplace rules and information surrounding spray booth regulations uk and learn precisely how to adhere to them.
Vehicle bodyshop owners must adhere to the COSHH Regulation 9 guidance, which stipulates that they are required to control the risks and exposure to harmful substances. Owners must enforce that relevant spraybooth laws are followed and equipment is used safely by machine operators to ensure the safety of employees, visitors and any person who has access to the spray booths – as well as paint mixing rooms and use of other equipment such as dust extraction systems and weld fume arms. Spray booth testing is based on Process Guidance note PG6/34(b) which defines how it should be carried out and the levels and types of filtration systems to be used.
HSE legislation based risk assessments
All of AGM spray booth maintenance and services are compliant with Health and Safety England’s legislation and carried out by highly skilled and qualified spray booth engineers. Our engineers perform expert testing per EPA, COSHH PAS125 Kitemark and manufacturer & insurer Audit requirements. These engineers undertake regular training and assessments to guarantee they are well versed with current legislation, guidelines and best practices across all types of spray booth testing.
Spray booth legislative testing
Mist clearance testing
Mist clearance tests are carried out annually. They provide a clear indication of the time taken for isocyanate particles to be cleared from the spraybooth. It’s essential to know the exact amount of time it takes to clear the booth as it’s unsafe for someone to enter without the appropriate PPE. To conduct this test, the spray booth engineer fills the spray booth with smoke and accurately measures how long it takes to extract it.
Local Exhaust Ventilation testing
Another test which AGM services provide is Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) tests, which are performed on various workshop equipment such as: spray booth ovens, dust extraction systems, paint mixing rooms, gun cleaning rooms, weld fume extraction arms, ventilated preparation benches and exhaust extraction systems. LEVs reduce exposures to airborne contaminants such as dust, mist, fume, vapour or gas in a workplace, an important control system to ensure it is correctly functional.
Breathing Air Quality testing
Every AGM engineer is equipped with the latest Factair Breathing Air Quality testing machine. Breathing Air Quality testing is something which demands much more regular testing at a maximum interval time of three months for all respiratory protective equipment.
Covid-19 Workplace Safety
As many bodyshops are now open and fully operational, it is vital to be aware of all coronavirus laws and regulations that concern workers in factories, plants and warehouses. The UK government have stipulated seven essential workplace safety rules to follow:
- 1. Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment
- 2. Increase how often surfaces are cleaned and encourage use of hand sanitiser
- 3. Encourage all visitors to wear face coverings
- 4. Ensure that all employees are socially distancing (including one-way walk routes)
- 5. Increase ventilation use and open doors and windows (if possible)
- 6. Track and Trace – keep a record of all employees and visitors for 21 days
- 7. Turn employees or visitors with coronavirus symptoms away (legally enforced)
Other Additional high priority Covid-19 guidance includes: only use personal protective equipment (PPE) where appropriate, work with the same team every day, arrange workspaces to keep staff apart and keep music and other background noise to a minimum. Consult with more specific government guidance based on your workplace to ensure that your operations are complicit and safe enough for all workers.
If you are looking to enquire about our spray booth testing or wish to understand how we keep Covid-19 safe during service and maintenance, contact us on 01706 363 585.
