Air quality management
Some of the activities in your workshop can affect the air quality at your premises and also contribute to the bigger problems of urban air pollution. Air pollution can be caused by dust, fumes, gases and smoke coming from things you do or products and equipment you use.
Refrigerant gases
- Persons installing, servicing or decommissioning vehicle air conditioners or refigerators that use ozone depleting or synthetic gas refrigerants must hold a Refrigerant Trading Authorisation.
- You must conform to the requirements and starndards detailed in the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 (Cth).
- Technicians must hold a national Refigerant Handling Licence. You can apply for authorisation or licence through the Australian Refrigerant Council - phone: 1300 884 483. More information on the national system is available at www.environment.gov.au
- In addition to national regulations, the wilful or negligent release of ozone depleting substance to the atmosphere carries the highest of all environmental protection penalties under NSW law. Both the person who caused the release and the owner of the substance can be found guilty. Penalties are high and include imprisonment.
Brake cleaning
- Do not clean brakes with compressed air, as this creates a fine dust. Asbestos is still present in some brake pads as well, creating a potential health risk to employees and neighbours. Find a less harmful method of cleaning your brakes. For example, vacuum them or wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Dust
- Dust from your premises may contain heavy metals or other toxic substances that can cause serious health problems for staff, customers and the community. Reduce windblown dust from your premises.
- Do all surface cleaning and preparation on a concrete-paved area that is covered and bunded. Prevent the escape of dust from this area. Use a wet cloth or sponge and a bucket to minimise it.
- Place floor sweeping dust in a bag or cardboard box before putting it into an industrial waste bin. This stops the dust from becoming airborne when the in is emptied.
- Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to reduce dust movement, improve cleaning efficiency and reduce water use.
Oxy-acetylene gases
- Minimise the use of oxyacetylene torches for cutting panels. Use cut-off saws instead.
- With all welding and cutting work make sure that there is adequate ventilation.
Solvents
Organic solvents used in strippers and cleaners evaporate into the atmosphere and lead to photochemical smog formation.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to solvents by storing them in a covered container with a tap (to avoid the need to pour). Keep the storage area well ventilated.
- Ensure that containers are kept closed when not in use. This will limit evaporation and unnecessary loss of solvent.
- Consider installing a solvent recovery unit to save on the costs of disolving spent solvents.
- Use water-based or biodegradable strippers, cleaners or degreasers wherever possible. These are less harmful to you and the environment.
- Install taps or pumps on containers of volatile liquids to minimise losses to the atmosphere.
- Use a dedicated parts cleaner with a lid. Allow parts to drip-dry before removing them. Place the parts on a rack over the tank for best drainage.
- Avoid spraying solvent. Use only a steady stream or brush to gently agitate the parts being cleaned.
Burning
- Open air burning and incineration of any wastes including oily or greasy rags, oil soaked paper and sawdust, is illegal in most local council areas except where it has been approved. Such approvals are unlikely to be relevant in the autodismantling industry.
Further information
- Your local council
- Yellow Pages - look under 'Air Conditioning - Automotive'
- DECC Environment Line, Phone: 131 555
Page last updated: 22 February 2008