Wood preservation facilities, general recommendations: chapter A, table 8


Table 8. Safety Precautions for Personnel Working with Preservative (All preservatives - also consult Part II - Preservative-specific tables)

Activity PPE & operational recommendations
For all activities
  • Must wear properly fitting, well-maintained and efficient PPE for all preservatives, additives and solvent as identified in the respective pesticide label (or MSDS for additive).
  • Must NOT wear jewellery that may cause work related injuries and can become a source of contamination or an instrument to wear and tear on PPE.
  • Must respect Provincial Health and Safety Code requirements
  • Should not wear contact lenses
  • Thoroughly clean protective equipment after each use, when applicable.
  • Discard clothing that have been drenched or heavily contaminated with products solution or concentrate.
  • Secure the work area: access and vehicle circulation.
  • It is preferable to always have a standby attendant present when there is high risk of exposure.
  • Emergency equipment should be accessible and functional at all times.
  • First aid personnel must be available.
  • Working personnel should have proper training.
  • Working procedures must be followed.
  • Minimal PPE when working under dry condition:
  • Wear heavy-duty impermeable Footnotea gloves, chemical goggles and impermeable shoes.
  • Minimal PPE when risk of getting wet from preservative:
  • Wear full face protection, appropriate NIOSH-approved respiratory equipment, impermeableFootnotea gauntlets, impermeable Footnotea rain suit and impermeableFootnotea shoes or boots.
  • Minimal PPE when working in an enclosed environment with pesticides:
  • Wear Self-contained NIOSH-approved Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) if working in an enclosed environment
  • To select the proper respiratory equipment, you can consult with your chemical suppliers, the provincial work safety agency or your Industrial hygienist.
Unloading bulk containers (solid or liquid).
  • PPE: Wear protective apparel, including chemical goggles, full face protection, impermeableFootnotea gauntlets, coveralls, impermeable aprons, socks and impermeable shoes or boots.
  • Ensure good ventilation
  • Prohibit foot or vehicle traffic between the point of delivery and the transport vehicle.
  • Place “DANGER” signs at each end of the transport vehicle during unloading operations.
  • Ensure that at least two individuals trained in handling the preservative are present at all times during unloading operations (i.e. at least one person other than the truck driver; this person may include forepersons, supervisors and management employees).
  • Ensure that all connections are secure and leak-tight.
  • Provide emergency eyewash and shower in the immediate unloading area.
Preparing work solutions.
  • PPE: Wear full face protection, impermeableFootnotea gauntlets, coveralls, impermeable aprons, socks and impermeable shoes or boots for all operations involving direct exposure to preservative concentrates.
  • Ensure good ventilation
  • Thoroughly clean and hose down the work area following solution preparation.
  • Dispose of debris and empty containers in accordance with Section 9 of this 2013 TRD.
  • Thoroughly clean protective equipment after use.
  • Provide emergency eyewash and shower in the immediate area.
  • Reuse all rinse waters for work solution preparation.
Sampling procedures
  • PPE: Wear eye protection and impermeableFootnotea gauntlets when sampling preservative solutions
  • PPE: Wear full face protection and impermeableFootnotea gauntlets when sampling preservative concentrates.
  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagloves and goggles when taking borings from freshly treated wood.
  • Wash gauntlets and goggles immediately after completing sampling.
  • Use sample containers approved for the application and any shipment.
  • Wash the outside of sample containers immediately after sampling solutions.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after all sampling operations.

Cleaning cylinders, stabilization kiln, fixation chamber or storage tanks.

Removing load jams

  • PPE: Wear appropriate NIOSH-approved respirators (or self-contained breathing apparatus if working in an enclosed environment), impermeableFootnotea gauntlets, rain suit and impermeable boots during all vessel entries.
  • Follow all standard precautions for vessel entry (as per provincial health and safety regulations). If confined spaces as per provincial definitions, must apply confined space program, permits and procedures.
  • Conduct confined space air sampling if applicable and flush vessels as required to establish safe entry conditions, or use an approved self-contained breathing apparatus prior to entry.
  • Always have a standby attendant present and provision for continuous outside communications.
  • Collect and store contaminated waste material in sealed and labelled drums.
  • Wash all protective equipment immediately after use
  • Shower after completion of cleanup tasks.
  • Reuse all rinse waters for work solution preparation.
Removing treated charges from cylinders.

Retort opening

  • PPE: Wear appropriate NIOSH-approved respirator if preservative concentrations are above regulatory values or concentrations are unknown and impermeableFootnoteagauntlets during door openings.
  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagauntlets, apron or rain suit, face shield or goggles, and boots if there is potential for getting wet by the preservative solution.
  • PPE: If door opening is totally automatic and operator is protected from exposureFootnoteb by shield or wall; wear impermeableFootnoteagloves and goggles during door openings.

Entering the cylinder:

  • Conduct confined space air sampling if applicable
  • PPE: Avoid breathing preservative mists. Wear appropriate respirator equipment.Footnoteb
    • If retort oxygen levels do not meet regulatory values or the concentration is unknown, the attendant entering the cylinder should wear a self-contained full-face respirator mask (breathing apparatus), impermeable coveralls, boots and gauntlets.
    • If retort oxygen levels meet regulatory values; wear appropriate NIOSH-approved respirator, impermeable coveralls, boots and gauntlets.
    • Regulatory values are from provincial authorities and can refer to ACGIHand/or OSHAstandards if applicableFootnotec

Moving loads:

  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagauntlets when moving loads of freshly treated wood.
  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagauntlets, apron or rain suit, face shield or goggles, and boots if there is potential for getting wet by the preservative solution.
  • PPE: If removing charge is totally automatic and operator is protected from exposure by shield or wall; wear impermeableFootnotea gloves, goggles, during door openings.
Handling treated lumber.
  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagloves when treated lumber is dry.
  • PPE: Wear impermeableFootnoteagauntlets, aprons and boots if there is potential for coming in contact with preservative liquid solution.
  • PPE: Wear appropriate NIOSH-approved Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) if treated wood is handled in enclosed areas (eg. boxcars) and do not meet regulatory values or the concentration is unknown.
Handling and maintaining contaminated equipment.
  • PPE: Wear an impermeableFootnoteaapron, gauntlets and boots if there is potential for coming in contact with preservative liquid solution.
    • Specific equipment exposed to direct chemical contact is a source of potential exposure; appropriate PPE must be assessed depending on the situation (e.g. charge cables handling, movement of bridge rails)
  • Thoroughly clean equipment prior to handling.
  • Drip trays should be free of liquid prior to maintenance work.
  • Reuse all rinse waters for preparing treating solutions for water borne preservative.
  • Also refer to Appendix II - Preventative Maintenance Program
Welding

Welding can produce toxic fumes.

The following protective measures should be undertaken in addition to the precautions for handling and maintaining contaminated equipment:

  • PPE: Wear an approved respirator where required and provide effective local exhaust ventilation during welding to prevent potential exposure to toxic fumes.
  • Obtain proper approval before welding.
  • Block or disconnect any preservative intake before initiating welding operations.
  • Completely drain and thoroughly rinse tanks or lines prior to welding operations.
  • Ensure that equipment is completely dry from cleaning solvent residues.
  • Ensure good general ventilation of the work area.
  • Comply with all additional provincial workplace safety rules.

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