[mrsmops]

how on earth do i find out what the boiling point for a certain chemical might be??? should i email the company that made it if it is not on the packaging? i am pressuming of course that some chemicals do state a boiling point on there packaging? 


    

cheers T

xx

[dianegreenwood]

You need to get the COSHH data sheet for each product you use.  These are available from the manufacturer or often you can download them for free from various internet sites including from your cleaning products supplier.

I suggest you look at http://www.express-cleaning-supplies.co.uk/coshh/index.htm for an 'introduction to COSHH'.

Data sheets are essential as you need to prepare a risk assessment for every product using the information on these sheets.

Cheers

Diane

[Gerry Styles]

You should hold a msds data sheet for every product you use. These should be supplied to you by your supplier.

I do not understand why you need to know the boiling point though, as during normal use this should not be an issue.

[Griffus]

Gerry is right in that you must carry an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for all chemicals that you use. You should have a copy at your place of work (or on your van). You should also have a copy in your office.

As well as the actual MSDS you must have COSHH Risk Assessments and a full register with review dates set. These are to show that you have taken the data from the MSDS and applied it to how this will apply to your operation. In summary the most important points and those that must be covered are: -

Chemical or product name
R-phrases
State
Operating temperature
Boiling point
Hazard group
Skin hazard
Quantity used
How many times a day
How long does the task take

The following website is a massive help and to be honest saved us loads of time when setting up: -

http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk/

Onto your original point; Boiling point can be a nighmare to find out if not already listed on the MSDS under section 9. You would think that a simple request from the supplier is all it takes but on occasion even the manufacturer struggles to advise correctly.

I have copied a response from HSE to a query from myself a year or so ago. As you will see it is about as much help as a chocolate fireguard: -

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the boiling point and vapour pressure for a substance.

The supplier of hazardous substances has the responsibility to provide information relating to boiling point and vapour pressure. However, we are aware that occasionally this information is not available and therefore the HSE's COSHH Policy Unit has provided the following web address which may be useful to locate such information:

http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/#MSDS

The substances are listed alphabetically, and usually provides the information relating to boiling point (please note, although this site is recommended to find the information you require, this is not an HSE site and therefore we cannot comment on the content).

I hope this helps, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact this address again or telephone HSE Infoline on 08453 450055.

I was advised over the phone by HSE that if no boiling point listed then assume 100 degrees Celcius. They said that otherwise it would have been listed. On this though nothing in writing so proceed with caution. Realistically, when are you going to be heating any chemicals to anywhere near 100?

If you are uncertain about anything then call the number listed in the above reply. I think that you can arrange to meet with someone for face to face advice.

Bets wishes

Ian

[dianegreenwood]

I've been using the > figure on the data sheet in section 10 'Stability and Reactivity' as the boiling point in my risk assessments.  Its probably higher than that but I figure if you should avoid > a number then the reason would be because it becomes unstable?

What does everyone else use?

Cheers

Diane

[mrsmops]

cheers ian that is super info


ta

T

xx