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Hazardous substances in Transformers… On a register or not?

  • Hazardous substances in Transformers… On a register or not?

    Posted by Rhys Thomas on 14 September 2023 at 10:33 am

    We have recently had a question within the business as to whether we should be keeping hazardous substance registers under the hazardous substance legislation for hazardous substances within Transformers, switches etc.

    My opinion is no, we need the haz subs registers for substances we are storing for use, this could be oil, gasses, diesel etc.

    I would be keen to know how other EDB’s are treating hazardous substances within their equipment.

    We have a record of SF6 and oils within our transformers for maintenance and hopefully not but potential spill event, but I feel the haz subs registers are different to maintenance and damage causing a spill.

    Any thoughts? Cheers

    Hayley Head replied 1 year ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • wayne-nichollnorthpower-com

    Member
    14 September 2023 at 10:43 am

    I get where you are coming from – but I feel we should. It is not just about what we are going to use – but also what we might be exposed to. I would want to refer to a SDS if there was a rupture or spill (and we have had a few of them when they have fallen over or dropped). While I agree with you in part – the bit for me is around the ability to understand the risk and be able to respond. If it is not on a register – would you go through the correct thought process for your rescue plans? The other reason I would is that if there is a fire (or other emergency) where the assets are exposed, you really want to be able to grab one register to hand to the Emergency Response team (ie: the Fire service) to show what they might be exposed to. Just my thoughts 🙂

    • Rhys Thomas

      Member
      14 September 2023 at 12:01 pm

      Cheers Wayne, those thoughts did go through my head also :-). We have the information, but you are right is it accessible enough in an emergency.

  • Hayley Head

    Facilitator
    1 November 2023 at 12:05 pm

    Kia ora Rhys

    I recently received guidance from the UK about the control of hazardous substances, if you haven’t found any info in NZ this could be helpful.

    Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) – HSE

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