COS/General/TBT-COS-021

Polyelectrolyte Handling

COSHH & Hazardous Substances › General › Polyelectrolyte Handling

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Polyelectrolytes are polymer-based chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment for sludge conditioning and flocculation.
They are supplied as dry powders, emulsions, or concentrated solutions that become extremely slippery when wet.
Polyelectrolyte spills on floors, walkways, and stairs create severe slip hazards that cause broken bones and head injuries.
Dry polyelectrolyte powder is an inhalation hazard causing respiratory irritation when airborne during handling.
Skin and eye contact with concentrated polyelectrolyte solutions causes irritation requiring immediate flushing.
The COSHH Regulations 2002 require a risk assessment for all polyelectrolyte handling and dosing activities.
Make-up and dosing systems involve mixing tanks, metering pumps, and pipework that can leak and create slip hazards.
Polyelectrolyte solutions are difficult to clean up once spilt — water spreads the slip hazard further.
Storage areas must be kept dry and contained to prevent powder or liquid reaching walkways and drains.
Safety data sheets must be available at the point of storage and use for all polyelectrolyte products.

Prevent slip injuries	Polyelectrolyte is one of the most slippery substances on treatment works — spills cause serious fall injuries.
Respiratory protection	Dry polyelectrolyte powder irritates the lungs when inhaled during loading and handling operations.
Legal compliance	COSHH 2002 requires risk assessment, control measures, and safe handling procedures for all chemical products.

Don't

Read the safety data sheet before handling any polyelectrolyte product for the first time
Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and RPE when loading dry polyelectrolyte powder
Clean up polyelectrolyte spills immediately using absorbent granules, not water alone
Keep storage areas, walkways, and dosing rooms dry to prevent slippery surface formation
Wear slip-resistant footwear in all areas where polyelectrolyte is handled or dosed
Ensure bunding is intact around polyelectrolyte storage tanks and make-up systems
Inspect dosing pipework and pump connections regularly for leaks that create slip hazards
Ventilate enclosed areas where dry polyelectrolyte powder is being loaded or mixed
Flush eyes and skin immediately with clean water for 15 minutes after any contact
Display warning signs in areas where polyelectrolyte spills could make surfaces slippery

DON'T use water alone to clean polyelectrolyte spills — it makes the surface more slippery
DON'T walk through areas where polyelectrolyte has been spilt without slip-resistant footwear
DON'T load dry polyelectrolyte powder without RPE — dust causes respiratory irritation
DON'T allow polyelectrolyte solution to reach walkways, stairs, or vehicle routes
DON'T store polyelectrolyte powder in damp conditions where it absorbs moisture and cakes
DON'T ignore minor leaks from dosing systems — they create accumulating slip hazards
DON'T handle concentrated solutions with bare hands — wear chemical-resistant gloves
DON'T dispose of polyelectrolyte waste into surface water drains or watercourses
DON'T carry open bags of powder across walkways where spills could occur in transit
DON'T assume dry polyelectrolyte on a floor is safe — it becomes slippery when wet

See also: COSHH Awareness | Chemical Dosing Area Safety

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