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Ceramics silica

This information will help employers (including the self-employed) comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to control exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and protect workers' health.

Ceramics silica [CN]

Glaze and colour preparation (PDF) [27]

This sheet describes good practice for the control of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) during the preparation of glazes and colours. Preparation covers the weighing out of glaze and colour powders, and their mixing to form a water-based preparation in the ceramics industry. It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level. Follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.

Related items

Casting (PDF) [32]

This sheet describes good practice for the control of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) during casting in the ceramics industry. It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level. It is important to follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.

Related items

Dry fettling (PDF) [36]

This sheet describes good practice for the control of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) during dry fettling items that have been cast, left to dry, but not yet fired, to remove filler/flash/ excess material. The brittle nature of the item means that dust will be generated during fettling. It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level. Follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.

This sheet does not cover:

  • wet fettling, using a knife to remove filler/flash/excess, under general ventilation;
  • grinding and polishing of fired items;
  • sponging the item.

Related items

Kiln loading (placing) and unloading (PDF) [41]

This sheet describes good practice for the control of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) during kiln loading (placing) and unloading in the ceramics industry. It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level. It is important to follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.

Related items

Spraying glazes and colours (PDF) [44]

This sheet describes good practice for the control of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) during spraying glazes and colours in the ceramics industry. It covers the key points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level. It is important to follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.

Related items

Link URLs in this page

  1. COSHH Essentialshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/index.htm
  2. Overview - Direct advice sheetshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/index.htm
  3. Agriculture (Farming)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/agriculture.htm
  4. Flour (Bakers and millers)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/baking.htm
  5. Metalworking fluidshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/metalworking-fluids.htm
  6. Microelectronicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/microelectronics.htm
  7. Motor Vehicle Repairhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/mvr.htm
  8. Offshorehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/offshore.htm
  9. Printinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/printing.htm
  10. RPEhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/respiratory-protective-equipment.htm
  11. Rubberhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/rubber.htm
  12. Service & Retailhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/service-retail.htm
  13. Overview - Silicahttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/silica.htm
  14. Brick and tilehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/brick-tile-silica.htm
  15. Ceramicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/ceramics-silica.htm
  16. Constructionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/construction-silica.htm
  17. Foundryhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/foundry.htm
  18. Manufacturinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/manufacturing-silica.htm
  19. Quarrieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/quarries-silica.htm
  20. Stoneworkershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/stonemasons.htm
  21. Skin or eye contacthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/skin-eye-contact.htm
  22. Weldinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/welding.htm
  23. Woodworkinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/woodworking.htm
  24. Dichloromethane (DCM)https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/direct-advice/dichloromethane.htm
  25. Frequently asked questionshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/essentials/faq.htm
  26. Advice for managershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr0.pdf
  27. Glaze and colour preparationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr1.pdf
  28. G403: Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g403.pdf
  29. G404 - Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g404.pdf
  30. G406: New and existing engineering control systems https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g406.pdf
  31. G409: Exposure measurement: Air samplinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g409.pdf
  32. Castinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr2.pdf
  33. G403: Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g403.pdf
  34. G404 - Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g404.pdf
  35. G409: Exposure measurement: Air samplinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g409.pdf
  36. Dry fettlinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr3.pdf
  37. G403: Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g403.pdf
  38. G404 - Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g404.pdf
  39. G406: New and existing engineering control systems https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g406.pdf
  40. G409: Exposure measurement: Air samplinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g409.pdf
  41. Kiln loading (placing) and unloadinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr4.pdf
  42. G403: Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g403.pdf
  43. G404 - Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g404.pdf
  44. Spraying glazes and colourshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/cr5.pdf
  45. G403: Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g403.pdf
  46. G404 - Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g404.pdf
  47. G406: New and existing engineering control systems https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g406.pdf
  48. G409: Exposure measurement: Air samplinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g409.pdf
  49. Working with substances hazardous to health: A brief guide to COSHHhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg136.htm
  50. Case studieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/casestudies/index.htm
  51. Example risk assessmentshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/riskassess/index.htm
  52. Publicationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/publications.htm
  53. Nanotechnologyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/nanotechnology/index.htm
  54. Risk assessmenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

RPE
Respiratory Protective Equipment

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2023-04-04