What is the law regarding the wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Clothing) when softwashing?
It is said by some softwash contractors, and some softwash product suppliers, that high concentrations of cleaning chemicals are fine to use if you are wearing the correct Personal Protective Clothing (PPE).
However, the regulations actually state that when when mitigating risk,"PPE should be used as a last resort”.
The law also states that "Wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE".
We've devoted many years of trial and error to testing of every variable involved in soft washing. And have reached a number of conclusions about the best ways of mitigating risk when softwashing.
For example, we believe, from experience, that the risk of something going wrong when using high concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (SH) – a burst hose, or a leaking fitting for example – is too great considering that the same tasks can be achieved using the lower concentrations of sodium hypochlorite used in Benz Lightning Cleanze.
Being sprayed with a softwash solution of sodium hypochlorite of high available chlorine – especially if it were to enter the eyes – is a very, very long way from being fun ...
However, the regulations actually state that when when mitigating risk,"PPE should be used as a last resort”.
The law also states that "Wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require PPE".
We've devoted many years of trial and error to testing of every variable involved in soft washing. And have reached a number of conclusions about the best ways of mitigating risk when softwashing.
For example, we believe, from experience, that the risk of something going wrong when using high concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (SH) – a burst hose, or a leaking fitting for example – is too great considering that the same tasks can be achieved using the lower concentrations of sodium hypochlorite used in Benz Lightning Cleanze.
Being sprayed with a softwash solution of sodium hypochlorite of high available chlorine – especially if it were to enter the eyes – is a very, very long way from being fun ...
Accidents are already happening in the industry and are something we all want to avoid. And we can understand why contractors, and their customers, want the most rapid results.
Fortunately, taking risks with our health is completely unnecessary. It is possible to achieve the same results using lower – and therefore safer – concentrations of chemicals.
Also the need for high pressure washing – which damages render and concrete, can be reduced to a minimum by the skillful application of softwash cleaning products.
And by putting softwash customers onto a "Clean & Maintain" ongoing maintenance programme, the need for high pressure washing is usually eliminated altogether.
Ben tells his customers that he could "rapidly clean your property and bring it up dramatically clean using high pressure power washing and/or dangerously strong chemicals. But I believe the risk to my health, my employees health, your health, the risk of damaging your property, and the risk to your children and pets, is just too great."
Ben's customers are always happy with this when the facts are clearly explained to them. And they are delighted with the end result.
The bottom line is that using this approach Ben has all the work he can handle and makes a very good living from softwashing. So, as he is no different to everyone else, the same must be true for all softwash contractors.
We hope you've found this information about the need for Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) – and mitigating risk when softwashing – helpful.
Cheers,
Ben, Leo and Fiona
Cheers,
Ben, Leo and Fiona
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