Wood preservation facilities, general recommendations: chapter A-8

8. Operational Requirements

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In addition to the design objectives described in Section 7, a preservation facility should develop operating procedures to protect both workers and the environment from harmful exposure to preservative chemicals. The following protective measures recommended in this document MUST be used in conjunction with those provided on the pesticide label regulated by the PMRA under the Pest Control Products Act. All conditions on the pesticide label MUST be met.

The operating procedures are intended to:

1. minimizes direct contact of personnel with wood-preserving chemicals;
2. minimizes releases of chemicals to the environment; and
3. facilitates clear and accurate plan and procedures in emergency situation.

Table 5 to 8 and table 17 to 26 provides the objectives and recommendations on the operational features of a wood preservation facility that use a typical process in handling and application of preservatives, as presented in Figure 1. All new and existing wood preservation facilities should meet all the objectives and apply all the recommendations presented in these tables or apply alternative measures that meet the equivalent level of protection while taking into consideration certain site-specific considerations.

Detailed operating procedures for each process should be incorporated into an operations manual available to all personnel. Responsibility and accountability for how to implement these procedures should be clearly assigned to supervisors and on-site personnel. These recommendations should be included in the worker training program.

8.1 Operational Standards

The CSA O80 Series of Standards specifies requirements and recommendations related to some wood preservatives and are based solely on the treatment efficacy of the chemicals in question. Those standards should be followed and applied while respecting applicable laws and regulations.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS“controlled products”, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education programs.

Occupational health and safety is covered by provincial and territorial as well as federal governments which place an onus on employers to ensure that: all controlled products used, stored, handled or disposed of in the workplace are properly labelled; MSDSs are made available to workers: and workers receive education and training to ensure the safe storage, handling and use of controlled products in the workplace. (12)

WHMIS requirements are available at the Health Canada’s website and user should refer to the Health Canada’s website.

8.2 Facility Wide Recommendations

The following table 17 and 18 provides recommendations on the operational features of a wood preservation facility that are applicable to the facility level.

Table 17 provides recommendations for the development of site specific operations manual instructions for employees on all aspects of working with chemical preservatives.

Table 18 provides recommendations on general practices like procedures, signing, training, record keeping and other practices that should be considered.

8.3 Process Area-specific Recommendations

Table 19 provides recommendations for operating practices for Chemical Handling and Storage.

Table 20 provides recommendations for operating practices for the process systems.

Table 21 provides recommendations for operating practices for kiln, accelerated fixation chamber and the dripping area.

Table 22 provides recommendations for operating practices for maintenance, cleanout and shutdown of treatment systems