Answer to Question 1:

Hi Padraig,

The legislation covering this question is the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001/2008. Where staff are interacting with hazardous substances in the workplace, no eating, drinking or smoking should be allowed as this allows the chemical one of the four defined routes of entry into the body.

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Absorption
• Injection

Even if staff don't mix up the water and the solvent the fact that the water bottle is in the area the vapours coming from any open containers will contaminate the outside of the bottle and when the employee
drinks from it they can absorb the chemical resulting in problems from repeated exposure. It will show no acute effects but solvents will attack their target organ (Liver & Kidneys) and over time could cause long term injury.
You certainly should ban the consumption of all food and drink in the production area, storage area where hazardous materials are stored or in use.

Best Regards,
Paul Tierney