Code of Practice - Lapinus Fibres

Code of Practice
Handling of coarse fibres can cause a transient mechanical effect. Examples of coarse fibres that may annoy your skin until you wash or otherwise remove them are hair (after a hair cut), sheep wool, coarse textiles or mineral wool. The recommended working practices mentioned below will help you to use the products in a way that minimizes transient itching of the skin.

This information can also be found on our packaging material. The websites of Eurima and Naima (Association of European / North-American mineral wool manufacturers) can also be consulted – see links

Recommended working practices:

1 Objectives
The objectives of this code are:

(a)     to minimize exposure to MMVF (Man-Made-Mineral-Fibres) -dust at work
(b)     to reduce the mechanical effect of fibres in contact with skin (temporary itching)
(c)     to provide reasonable practicable control procedures and practices for minimizing occupational
         exposure to MMVF-dust

2 Application and Definitions
This code applies to any situation or operation involving possible occupational exposure to airborne MMVF-dust such as:

(a)     production of MMVF and manufacture of products thereof or containing MMVF
(b)     application of MMVF products

3 Duties of Manufacturers and Users of MMVF
General requirements
The employer should ensure that all workers are suitably informed of the good working practice associated with the tasks assigned to them and are instructed in the measures to be taken to prevent or minimise exposure to dust as described in this Code of Practice.

Appropriate work practice and engineering and control measures must aim at minimising the exposure of workers to airborne dust and keep it below recognised exposure limits or other exposure criteria of the working environment according to national regulations. The same applies for new machinery or new products.

If it is reasonable to believe that any established exposure limit is being exceeded, measures should be taken to lower the concentration by means of engineering, technical and organisational measures. If such measures are impracticable or insufficient, adequate personal protection clothing and equipment should be made available i.e. face masks, safety goggles.

If no exposure limit or other exposure criteria for dust and/or respirable fibres are established according to the national regulations, it is suggested to apply an exposure limit of 10 mg/m³ general dust and/or 5 mg/m3 respirable dust.

Materials and Products
Manufacturers of MMVF should aim at making products which emit minimum amounts of dust during their production, processing, removal and waste disposal.

The packaging, storage and transport of products should be done in such a manner as to keep the release of dust under accepted limits. The finished products should be packed in such a way that the release of dust from the materials is minimised. They should also be supplied in a form and shape, which enables them to be used with a minimum of adaptation which could release dust and fibres.

Dust suppressor or other suitable agents should be incorporated in the product, if its intended use so permits.

Recommended work practices
Application of the following standards using MMVF is recommanded to ensure low dust exposure and diminish the mechanical effects of coarse fibres like itching.

Store MMVF protected from humidity and damage
MMVF should be unpacked close to the place of application
Do not throw MMVF
For any dust, inorganic or organic, unnecessary exposure should be avoided. Good ventilation reduces the dust quantity considerably. In particularly dusty places of work, remove the dust where it is generated, normally by using local exhaust ventilation
Do not blow off with compressed air, filter vacuum or wet wiping should be preferred to sweeping
Keep work areas clean regularly; waste should be immediately collected appropriately, e.g. containers or plastic bags
Wear loose clothing or gloves to help protect sensitive skin areas
Avoid rubbing or scratching skin if insulation wool particles accumulate on exposed skin
Wear safety glasses or goggles where loose particles or fibres may get into the eyes
Wash off dust after work
Use personal protection in work settings where dusts levels may exceed established dust (or recommended) fibre or threshold limit value, when installing loose fill, or in operation which creates a particular dusty environment

4 Information and Labelling of Products
Safety Data Sheets
Safety data sheets in accordance with standards should be available on request elaborating the information on the labels in more detail. A safety data sheet should comply with e.g. Commission Directive 93/112/EC or ANSI format.

Labelling of Products
Labels should provide basic information such as trade name of the product, name of the manufacturer and information on use, safe handling and protective measures, if needed. Labels may include pictograms and/or written information. Pictograms and written information currently in use are given as examples in below link.

Info packaging